Journalism & Mass Communications Sports Media & Communication
Description
A national leader in collegiate athletics, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln attracts many students who have a strong interest in sports. The sports media and communication major provides students with a unique opportunity to fulfill their aspirations of pursuing a career in sports without being a competitive athlete. Students start by creating a strong foundation of sports knowledge and skills from a variety of perspectives, including journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and marketing. Students then have the ability to add depth to their upper-level electives.
The college has offered sports courses for decades, including courses in sports broadcasting, sports writing, and sports media relations and promotion, and it has produced highly successful alumni working in sports for major media organizations across the United States. Faculty have built relationships with sports media organizations that provide special learning opportunities for students, such as ESPN, FOX Sports University, BigTen Network, Special Olympics, as well as local stations and agencies.
The sports media and communication major offers a plethora of employment opportunities for students, including jobs in sports journalism, sports announcing, sports information, sports marketing, sports event planning, sports community relations, graphic and Web design in sports, multimedia storytelling in sports, and sports media entrepreneurship.
The faculty, with many professional contacts both locally and nationwide, actively help students find jobs within the state and throughout the country. Students interested in majoring in sports media and communication should contact the college office in 147 Andersen Hall, 402-472-3041.
College Requirements
College Admission
The entrance requirements for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications are the same as the admission requirements for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
These include:
- English (4 units)
- Mathematics (4 units)
- Social studies (3 units)
- Natural sciences (3 units)
- Foreign language (2 units)
One unit equals one year of high school credit. Students with one deficiency or two deficiencies, but not in the same category, who receive a Deferred Admission or Admission by Review, may be considered for admission to the college. Students who are admitted through the Admission by Review process with core course deficiencies will have certain conditions attached to their enrollment at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. These conditions are explained under Admission to the University, Removal of Deficiencies. High school deficiencies must be removed during the first 30 credit hours of enrollment at Nebraska or the first calendar year, whichever takes longer.
Admission GPA
Any student transferring into the college must have at least a 2.0 GPA. A student with 12 or more hours of college credit must have at least a 2.0 GPA to be admitted or readmitted to the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Readmission
A student who left the University not in good standing (below a 2.0 grade point average) may be readmitted in the Explore Center. Such a student would be eligible to reenter the College of Journalism and Mass Communications upon attaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Other Admission Requirements
Students from other Colleges
College of Journalism and Mass Communications courses will be restricted to College of Journalism and Mass Communications majors except where stipulated differently. Students from colleges and departments with a written agreement with the College of Journalism and Mass Communications will be exempt from this policy. Permission may be granted by an associate dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications in special circumstances following the directives provided by the faculty in these matters. Details about agreements with programs outside the College of Journalism and Mass Communications are listed on the college’s website.
ESL Students
Applicants who speak English as a second language must present a TOEFL score of 70 or higher, which includes a subscore of at least 20 on the writing test. Additionally, broadcasting majors must present a score of at least 45 on the Test of Spoken English.
College Degree Requirements
College General Education Requirements
To graduate with a bachelor of journalism degree, students must complete requirements from the following areas:
- the University ACE requirements
- the requirements for a major offered by the college
- the non-major requirements that are specific to the college
College Non-Major Requirements
The college non-major requirements (NMR) are designed to further the purposes of liberal education by encouraging study in several different areas. Courses satisfying these requirements may impart specialized knowledge or broadly connect the subject matter to other areas of knowledge.
Group 1—Achievement-Centered Education (ACE)
All College of Journalism and Mass Communication students must complete the University ACE requirements. The CoJMC requires all ACE courses be completed outside the college except ACE 10. Courses within the college are those with the following prefixes: ADPR, BRDC, JOMC, JOUR, SPMC. For the ACE 3 requirement, students must complete a statistics course from the following options: STAT 218 or CRIM 300 or ECON 215 or EDPS 459 or SOCI 206.
Group 2—Courses Outside of the College (60 hours)
Candidates for the bachelor of journalism degree must abide by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication accrediting guidelines, receiving a well-rounded liberal arts and science education. The CoJMC requires 60 semester hours be completed outside the college. Courses within the college are those with the following prefixes: ADPR, BRDC, JOMC, JOUR, SPMC. The same course restrictions and exclusions are noted on the College of Journalism and Mass Communications catalog page.
Group 3—Minor Outside of the College
CoJMC majors must complete one minor or an approved University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate certificate of 12 of more credit hours outside the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Students may complete more than one minor or certificate if they wish.
Generally, CoJMC courses will not count toward a minor or certificate outside the college unless the course is approved as part of the minor, certificate or the department offering the minor approves the substitution. The CoJMC course that was substituted cannot be a required course in the CoJMC major and cannot count toward the total number of hours in the CoJMC major.
Group 4—Languages–Classical and Modern: 0-6 or 10 hours
A student who has completed the fourth-year level of one foreign language in high school is exempt from the languages requirement. All foreign language courses, as well as American Sign Language courses, will also count in Group 2.
Options for completion of language requirement:
- Fulfilled by the completion of the 4th level of a single language (either in H.S. or in college). Language study at UNL is available in: ARAB, CHIN, CZEC, FREN, GERM, GREK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, or SLPA, SPAN.1
- Students who have completed at least two years of one foreign language in high school may satisfy the college’s foreign language requirement by completing 101 and 102 in a different foreign language.
- For students who have no admission entrance deficiency in language, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures or the Department of Classics and Religious Studies can oversee a test at the 202 level for any language taught in those departments (Arabic, Chinese, Czech, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish.) Report of the results will be made to the academic advisor for consideration of a waiver of the language requirement.
A student who has demonstrated acceptable proficiency in a language other than English is exempt from the foreign language requirement without credit toward the degree (for example, international students who completed high school outside the United States). Students may complete a placement exam administered at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures or have a conference with a Modern Language professor for confirmation of language proficiency in 203 (or higher). Report of the results will be made to the academic advisor for consideration of a waiver of the language requirement.
- 1
Courses offered at UNL that complete the sequence include: ARAB 202, CHIN 202, CZEC 202, FREN 202 or FREN 210, GERM 202, GREK 301 & GREK 302, JAPN 202, LATN 301 & LATN 302, RUSS 202, SLPA 202, SPAN 202 or SPAN 210.
Group 5
At least 30 of the 120 semester hours of credit must be in courses numbered above 299 and 15 of the 30 hours required above 299 must be University of Nebraska–Lincoln hours/completed in residence.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for graduation from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
The college will accept no more than 15 semester hours of grades less than a C from any program outside the University of Nebraska system. No grades less than a C will count toward a CoJMC major. The college will honor minimum grade requirements stipulated by departments offering minors outside the college.
Pass/No Pass
The college will accept up to 24 hours of Pass/No Pass courses toward a bachelor of journalism degree, subject to the limits stated below.
All courses in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications must be taken for grade only unless otherwise specified. This applies to both majors and non-majors.
The Pass/No Pass (P/N) option is designed to be used by students seeking to expand their intellectual horizons by taking courses outside the college in areas where they may have minimum preparation without adversely affecting a student’s grade point average.
- Neither a P (pass) nor an N (no pass) contributes to a student’s GPA.
- P is interpreted to mean a grade of C or better. A student who earns a C- or lower will receive a grade of N.
- The 24-hour college limit does not include courses offered on a Pass/No Pass only basis or AP credit. This limit does apply to transfer courses from UNO, UNK, UNMC, and other institutions.
- P/N hours can count toward fulfillment of group requirements up to the 24-credit hour maximum (if the course is eligible as a P/N course).
- Students may change from graded to P/N or vice versa only until halfway through the course. In either case, they must speak with an advisor before doing so.
Residency
Students must complete at least 30 of the 120 total hours for their degree at Nebraska. Students must complete at least half of their major coursework including 15 of the 30 hours required above 299 in residence. Students transferring hours into the advertising and public relations, broadcasting, journalism, or sports media and communication majors must meet additional requirements, which are described under Transfer Credit Rules. To encourage participation in international study, the college accepts all prior-approved education abroad credits as hours in residence.
Transfer Credit Rules
The goal of the following policy is to ensure that students from other campuses meet the same standards required of students who take all their courses at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The college will accept up to 6 hours in journalism and mass communications courses taken at institutions that do not have an ACEJMC-accredited journalism and mass communications program. Students must take the remainder of the required hours in their ADPR, BRDC, JOMC, JOUR, or SPMC majors from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. All students must complete the college’s capstone course designated for their major. At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, students from ACEJMC-accredited programs may request equivalency reviews of the required courses at those schools. Degree candidates must accumulate 60 credit hours of non-journalism and mass communications classes. These are to be selected from ACE courses outside of journalism and mass communications courses or courses in disciplines listed as Liberal Education/Liberal Arts, which includes non-vocational ALEC courses, College of Business courses and College of Fine and Performing Arts courses.
Credit for courses taken at foreign universities and colleges will be transferred only after evaluation by the associate dean. This evaluation may include examination of the student over subject matter studied at the foreign institution.
ACE Requirements
All students must fulfill the Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
Catalog Rule
Students who left the university in good standing may be readmitted to the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and they may choose the catalog under which they wish to graduate according to the following guidelines:
- Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the Undergraduate Catalog for the year they enter the College of Journalism and Mass Communications or in any subsequent catalog published while they are enrolled in the college.
- No returning student may use a catalog that is 10 years old or older. In addition, any student seeking graduation credit for a College of Journalism and Mass Communications course taken more than 10 years prior to graduation must demonstrate mastery of the material currently included in that course at the proficiency level satisfactory to the associate dean and one or more faculty members qualified to teach the course in question. Students unable to demonstrate satisfactory mastery of the course material will be required to repeat the original course or a corresponding contemporary course designated by the college’s advisory committee, if the original course is no longer offered.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of sports media and communication will be able to:
- Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
- Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts.
- Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
- Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Major Requirements
The courses required for a 52-hour major in sports media and communication are as follows:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Specific Major Requirements | ||
JOMC 100 | The First Year Experience | 1 |
JOMC 101 | Principles of Mass Media | 3 |
JOMC 130 | Introduction to Design Thinking | 1 |
JOMC 131 | Visual Communication Core Modules I | 1 |
JOMC 132 | Visual Communication Core Modules II | 1 |
JOMC 133 | Visual Communication Advanced Modules | 1 |
JOMC 134 | Visual Communication Project | 2 |
JOMC 20 | Professional Development/Sophomore Experience | 0 |
JOMC 98 | Senior Assessment | 0 |
JOUR 200A | Fundamentals of Editing and Reporting I | 3 |
JOMC 222 | Social Justice, Human Rights and the Media | 3 |
SPMC 150 | Introduction to Sports Media and Communication | 3 |
SPMC 250 | Beginning Sports Writing for News and Promotion | 3 |
SPMC 350 | Sports Data Visualization and Analytics | 3 |
SPMC 450 | Sports Media and Communication Capstone (ACE 10) | 3 |
ADPR 464 / SPMC 464 | Sports Media Relations & Promotions | 3 |
JOMC 486 | Mass Media Law | 3 |
JOMC 487 | Media, Ethics and Society | 3 |
Electives | 12 | |
12 hours of electives are required with 9 of the 12 elective hours from CoJMC elective options numbered 300 or higher. The remaining 3 hours of electives can be any level from ADPR, BRDC, JOMC, JOUR, or SPMC. | ||
The Experience Lab | 3 | |
Experience Lab | ||
Experience Lab | ||
Experience Lab | ||
Credit Hours Subtotal: | 52 | |
Total Credit Hours | 52 |
Students may complete additional majors in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications by completing all requirements for each major. However, the additional major(s) in the college will not take the place of a concentration or any of the 60 hours required outside the college.
Graduating seniors also must complete JOMC 98 Senior Assessment. Typically, JOMC 98 is taken in the last semester.
Additional Major Requirements
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
No grades less than a C will count toward a CoJMC major.
Pass/No Pass
All courses in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications must be taken for grade, except JOMC 20, JOMC 98, JOMC 100, JOMC 192, JOMC 197, JOMC 292, JOMC 297, JOMC 392, JOMC 397, JOMC 492, JOMC 495, JOMC 497, and JOUR 348. This applies to both majors and non-majors.
Internship Policy
Students may be able to earn credit for internships under certain circumstances. The complete internship policy can be found at https://journalism.unl.edu/internship-policy. A maximum of 3 credits in an internship (ADPR 495, BRDC 495, JOMC 495, JOUR 495) can count towards the degree.
Credit in Special Experiences
Students may earn up to 6 credit hours toward the degree in some student experiences, including the following courses: ADPR 329, ADPR 339, ADPR 429, ADPR 439, ADPR 489, BRDC 329, BRDC 429, JOUR 490A, and JOUR 490B. Students may repeat the same course again for additional credit hours, but those credits will not count toward the degree inside or outside the major. Talk with an academic advisor for further information or specific questions.
Bachelor of Journalism in Sports Media and Communications with the Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
In an accelerated program, a student may count up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate courses toward both the current undergraduate degree and the later graduate degree. Students must apply for graduate admission and be accepted prior to enrollment. For more information, visit https://graduate.unl.edu/academics/programs/accelerated-masters/accelerated-masters-faq.
The following courses are approved for this program:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Specialization in Integrated Media Communications | ||
ADPR 834 | Digital Insight & Analytics (replaces ADPR 434) | 3 |
ADPR 850 | Public Relations Management and Case Studies (replaces ADPR 450) | 3 |
ADPR 866 | Social Media Theory and Practice (replaces ADPR 466) | 3 |
ADPR 884 | Brands & Branding (replaces ADPR 484) | 3 |
JOMC 886 | Mass Media Law (replaces JOMC 486) | 3 |
JOMC 887 | Media, Ethics and Society (replaces JOMC 487) | 3 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Specialization in Professional Journalism | ||
ADPR 850 | Public Relations Management and Case Studies (replaces ADPR 450) | 3 |
JOMC 820 | Financial Communications (replaces JOMC 420) | 3 |
JOMC 822 | Race, Gender, and Media (replaces JOMC 422) | 3 |
JOMC 886 | Mass Media Law (replaces JOMC 486) | 3 |
JOMC 887 | Media, Ethics and Society (replaces JOMC 487) | 3 |
JGRD 819 | Graduate Writing, Reporting and Editing (replaces JOUR 4XX) | 3 |
Grading Requirements
Grading rules as defined by the undergraduate degree/major apply. Please consult your academic advisor and/or the department graduate chair for grading policy as it relates to credit applying toward a graduate degree.
Description: Examines the primary concepts and conflicts in contemporary sports communication.
This course is a prerequisite for: ADPR 323; ADPR 329; ADPR 333; ADPR 339; ADPR 350; ADPR 355; ADPR 357; ADPR 358; ADPR 360; ADPR 361; ADPR 362; ADPR 381; ADPR 429; ADPR 439; ADPR 481; ADPR 484; BRDC 327; BRDC 328; BRDC 329; BRDC 359; BRDC 369; BRDC 372; BRDC 374; BRDC 375; BRDC 376; BRDC 427; BRDC 429; BRDC 477; JOMC 352; JOUR 302; JOUR 303; JOUR 304; JOUR 305; JOUR 307; JOUR 326, SPMC 326; JOUR 346; JOUR 408; SPMC 250; SPMC 350; SPMC 450; SPMC 460
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Good standing in the University Honors Program
Description: Examine issues and ethics in a variety of sports institutions, including college and professional sports, the media, the business of sports, and the role fans play in these dynamics.
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Offered: | FALL |
ACE Outcomes: | ACE 8 Civic/Ethics/Stewardship |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 8 Civic/Ethics/Stewardship
12 hours max special topics hours at all levels (100, 200, 300, 400) per degree
Description: Topics vary each term.
Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 4 |
Max credits per degree: | 12 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:1-4
ACE:
Description: Introduction to a variety of writing styles and techniques to develop effective sports-oriented communications for diverse audiences and media.
This course is a prerequisite for: ADPR 323; ADPR 329; ADPR 333; ADPR 339; ADPR 350; ADPR 355; ADPR 357; ADPR 358; ADPR 360; ADPR 361; ADPR 362; ADPR 381; ADPR 429; ADPR 439; ADPR 481; ADPR 484; BRDC 327; BRDC 328; BRDC 329; BRDC 359; BRDC 369; BRDC 372; BRDC 374; BRDC 375; BRDC 376; BRDC 427; BRDC 429; BRDC 477; JOMC 352; JOUR 302; JOUR 303; JOUR 304; JOUR 305; JOUR 307; JOUR 326, SPMC 326; JOUR 346; JOUR 408; SPMC 350; SPMC 450; SPMC 460
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Offered: | FALL/SPR |
ACE Outcomes: | ACE 1 Writing |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 1 Writing
12 hours max special topics hours at all levels (100, 200, 300, 400) per degree
Description: Topics vary each term.
Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 4 |
Max credits per degree: | 12 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:1-4
ACE:
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, JOUR 200A with a C or higher; ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283 or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260 or SPMC 150, SPMC 250 or JOUR 200B with a C or higher
Description: The importance of good sports reporting through clear writing and its importance to readers; the principles of different types of sports stories; how to think critically about sports media; and how the fundamentals of good reporting and writing apply to sports.
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, JOUR 200A with a C or higher; ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283 or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260 or SPMC 150, 250 or JOUR 200B with a C or higher
Description: Using brainpower and software to understand and analyze raw data related to sports.
This course is a prerequisite for: SPMC 460
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Offered: | FALL/SPR |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
12 hours max special topics hours at all levels (100, 200, 300, 400) per degree
Description: Topics vary each term.
Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 4 |
Max credits per degree: | 12 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:1-4
ACE:
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, JOUR 200A with a C or higher; ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283 or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260 or SPMC 150, 250 or JOUR 200B with a C or higher; senior standing and permission code
Description: Apply sports media and communication skills and knowledge to a team- and project-based learning challenge that culminates in a real-world presentation or publication.
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Course and Laboratory Fee: | $40 |
ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Experiential Learning: | Case/Project-Based Learning |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, JOUR 200A with a C or higher; ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283 or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260 or SPMC 150, 250 or JOUR 200B with a C or higher; SPMC 350 or JOUR 307; junior standing
Description: Study the problems of classification, the issues involved and the steps to apply machine learning to problems in communicating sports data. Specific focus is on creating explanatory content - written and graphical - using predictive algorithms applied to games, leagues and sports gambling.
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, JOUR 200A with a C or higher; ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283 or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260 or SPMC 150, 250 or JOUR 200B with a C or higher; junior standing
Description: Issues in sports media relations and integrated marketing communications. Background of the unpredictable nature of the sports industry and the relationships with its various publics and the media.
Credit Hours: | 3 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 3 |
Max credits per degree: | 3 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
12 hours max special topics hours at all levels (100, 200, 300, 400) per degree
Description: Topics vary
Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 4 |
Max credits per degree: | 12 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:1-4
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission
Description: Independent study; topic and assignments to be arranged between a student and supervising faculty member.
Credit Hours: | 1-24 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 24 |
Max credits per degree: | 24 |
Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-24
ACE:
Prerequisites: Good standing in the University Honors Program or by permission
Candidate for degree with distinction or high distinction or highest distinction in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Description: Independent research/creative activity project; topics vary.
Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
---|---|
Max credits per semester: | 4 |
Max credits per degree: | 4 |
Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:1-4
ACE:
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
- A minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA required for Graduation.
- Complete 30 hours in residence at UNL.
- A maximum of 24 hours of Pass grades is allowed.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***