Journalism Major, B.A./B.S., JUMP option with Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication

Select programs also offer a Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Path (JUMP) option. JUMP programs are geared toward outstanding undergraduate students who plan to continue their education by enrolling in a related USI master’s degree program. Approved JUMP programs offer students an alternative pathway to degree completion by providing the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in approximately five years.

This innovative pathway accelerates the time it takes to complete the graduate degree by allowing students in a JUMP program to complete 12 hours of graduate-level coursework during the final semesters of their undergraduate program. After completing the 12 hours of graduate coursework, special credit will be awarded at the undergraduate level and will apply toward the undergraduate program requirements. Students pay undergraduate tuition and fees for undergraduate coursework and pay graduate tuition and fees for graduate coursework (including the 12 credit hours completed while still an undergraduate).

To be eligible for the Journalism JUMP option with the Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication, students must:

• Be seeking the Journalism major;
• Have completed between 75 and 96 credit hours of undergraduate coursework;
• Have completed COMM 192; JRN 273; JRN 281; JRN 374 or JRN 388; JRN 388; and either have or will complete COMM 494 and COMM 497;
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and a Journalism major GPA of at least 3.50;
• Complete a JUMP application that includes a statement about their academic preparation and their understanding of JUMP policies and procedures.

The Journalism major requires 40 credit hours. The Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communications degree requires 36 credit hours. Students in the JUMP option complete 28 hours of undergraduate-level JRN coursework and 36 hours of graduate-level COMM coursework. After completing 12 hours of COMM electives, special credit will be awarded at the undergraduate level and will apply toward the undergraduate program requirements.

Typical JUMP schedule

UG = Undergraduate, GR = Graduate

Complete 15 hours of electives, including 9-12 hours at the graduate level. If selecting COMM 495 for the research requirement, complete 12 hours of graduate-level COMM electives.  If selecting either COMM 602 or COMM 603 for the research requirement, complete 9 hours of graduate-level COMM electives.

After the BA/BS degree is awarded and full admission to the Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication program is granted, students will complete an additional 24 credit hours of graduate-level COMM coursework to complete the master’s degree:

• 6-9 hours of required coursework
• 15-18 hours of directed electives

Refer to the Graduate Bulletin for a complete description of the Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication program or contact the graduate program director with questions.