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Our Mission

Las Positas College is an inclusive, learning-centered, equity-focused environment that offers educational opportunities and support for completion of students' transfer, degree, and career-technical goals while promoting lifelong learning.

Journalism and Media Studies Associate of Arts (AA)

About the Program

The Associate of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies is designed to provide students a broad understanding of the principles of journalism and media as well as experience in the application of these principles to the campus media, including the newspaper, the journalistic magazine, and the literary magazine, all of which include multimedia components. Classes can be applied to meet transfer requirements at four-year institutions and for entry into careers in media, such as reporting, public relations, print production, copyediting, broadcasting, videography, and photography.

Career Opportunities

Students who graduate with the Associate of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies can enter careers in media, such as reporting, public relations, print production, copyediting, broadcasting, videography, and photography. Some career paths may require additional experience or study.

Required Core: (12 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
JAMS 11 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting 3
JAMS 12 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
  or  
PHTO 72 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
JAMS 21A Express College Newspaper A 3
JAMS 23 Multimedia Reporting 3

List A: Select One (3 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
JAMS 1 Introduction to Mass Communications 3
JAMS 2 Introduction to Media 3

List B: Select Three (9 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
JAMS 3 Introduction to Public Relations 3
JAMS 19A Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing A 3
  or  
ENG 19A Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing A 3
JAMS 19B Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing B 3
  or  
ENG 19B Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing B 3
JAMS 21B Express College Newspaper B 3
JAMS 21C Express College Newspaper C 3
JAMS 21D Express College Newspaper D 3
JAMS 24A Naked Magazine: College Magazine A 3
JAMS 24B Naked Magazine: College Magazine B 3

Total Units for the Major: 24

The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Arts (AA) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.