Communications/Sports Journalism

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Communications/Sports Journalism

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

The communications/sports journalism major is designed to educate students in the fields of print and electronic journalism so that they may work in the media profession and/or pursue graduate studies in communications. The major seeks not only to provide preprofessional training, but also to educate the student in the traditional liberal arts and humanities. The major is interdisciplinary, allowing the student to pursue individual interests and providing a broad cultural context for the specialized field of communications/sports journalism. Communications/sports journalism majors, in consultation with their academic advisors, will be expected to work on campus publications and/or contribute writing to these publications.

For more information about the communications/sports journalism major, contact Professor Martin Dobrow of the Humanities Department at (413) 748-3253 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Communications / Sports Journalism Program Checksheet

II. Major Requirements

A. Core Requirements

COMM 120 - Introduction to Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 130 - Broadcast Writing Credits: 3
COMM 134 - Introduction to Communication Credits: 3
COMM 207 - Desktop Writing and Publishing Credits: 3
COMM 219 - Television Journalism Credits: 3
or
COMM 229 - Radio Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 224 - Advanced Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 229 - Radio Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 386 - Journalism Internship Credits: 3-12
COMM 482 - Seminar in Mass Communications Credits: 3
ENGL 241 - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 242 - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 261 - Survey of British Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 262 - Survey of British Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 377 - The History of the English Language Credits: 3
or
ENGL 467 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
(Note: COMM 120 - Introduction to Journalism and COMM 219 - Television Journalism or COMM 229 - Radio Journalism must be completed prior to beginning your internship. Students seeking an internship must consult with the internship supervisor the semester previous to the internship. Internships must be approved by the internship supervisor prior to registering for COMM 386.)

B. Related Requirements

In addition, select five of the following for a total of 15 credits:

COMM 208 - Newspaper Design and Production Credits: 3
COMM 211 - Sports Information Credits: 3
COMM 212 - Sports Writing Credits: 3
COMM 217 - Sports, Gambling and the Media Credits: 3
COMM 230 - Video Editing Credits: 3
COMM 240 - Literature of Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 245 - Web and Multimedia Design Credits: 3
COMM 252 - Sports Broadcasting Credits: 3
COMM 260 - The Press in America Credits: 3
COMM 288 - Special Topics in Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 301 - Media, Sport and Culture Credits: 3
COMM 310 - Media Law and Ethics Credits: 3
COMM 320 - Television and Society Credits: 3
COMM 325 - Journalistic Ethics Credits: 3
COMM 350 - Advanced Radio Production and Broadcast Management Credits: 3
ENGL 216 - The Athlete in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 301 - Advanced Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 302 - Business and Technical Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 303 - Business and Professional Speaking Credits: 3
SOCI 420 - Media and Society Credits: 3
(requires SOCI 101 - Contemporary Society as a prerequisite)

III. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Program Standards

In order to continue in the communications/sports journalism major, students must:

Earn a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average for all courses required for the COSJ major and all COMM courses. Grades will first be reviewed once a student has earned 24 credits (at Springfield College or via transferring). Thereafter, grades will be reviewed each semester.
Students who fall below the 2.50 criteria will be put on departmental probation and have one semester to raise their cumulative average in the major. If they fail to do so, they will be removed from the major. Students who successfully meet the 2.50 criteria through subsequent coursework may appeal for readmission to the major, but readmission is not guaranteed.