One Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Academic Year Represented
2020
Mission Statement
The mission of the Journalism Department at Cal Poly is to provide excellence in education on fundamental concepts, values and skills in journalism that focus on problem solving, critical thinking, innovation and communication. We also promote an understanding of ethical and legal implications of media and the importance of cultural and intellectual diversity, civic engagement and social responsibility in preparing students for leadership roles in journalism. Adopted April 2012.
Technology/Equipment/Facilities
The department maintains two iMac computer labs, and students can check out a range of cameras and support gear for use on class assignments. The student newsroom is where students produce the weekly print edition, website and social media for Mustang News. The high-definition TV studio is home to the live, twice-weekly broadcasts of Mustang News. Studios for the FCC-licensed FM radio station are the most advanced in the region.
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Graduate Degrees Offered
N/A
Majors
Journalism
Tracks within Majors
News and Public Relations
Internships Accepted for Credit
Media Internship (JOUR 444) is a core course in the journalism curriculum. The internship requires 100 hours on the job, usually over a 10-week period. Student interns receive 3 units of course credit, and the course is graded as credit/no credit. The course is supervised by a faculty member in the Journalism Department who is appointed as the internship coordinator. The course is offered every quarter during the academic year and during the summer.
Internships Facilitated
Students may work as part of the department's communications team as storytellers and public relations interns. These are paid positions. Similar opportunities are also available for course credit in JOUR 400.
Experiential and/or Immersion Programs for Credit
Cal Poly's learn-by-doing philosophy guides the journalism curriculum. At the heart of the department is the award-winning student media organization Mustang Media Group, encompassing Mustang News in print, broadcast, online, mobile and social formats; music and news on KCPR (91.3 FM) and kcpr.org; the CCPR public relations agency; and Mustang Media Business operations.
Online Options
JOUR 302: Mass Media Law JOUR 333: Broadcast News JOUR 378: Advanced Sportscasting JOUR 390: Visual Communication for the Mass Media
Study-Abroad Options
Cal Poly's International Center offers numerous opportunities for students to study abroad, and the journalism department has worked on articulation agreements with several established programs to make it easy for courses taken abroad to apply toward the journalism degree.
Graduate Programs
N/A
Department Budget
$1,825,896
Amount Spent per Student
Undergrad Student Fees
$3,522
Undergraduate Student Fees Exclusive of Housing and Meal Plan
$3,522
Undergraduate Student Fees for Housing and Meal Plan
$12,738
Undergrad In-State Tuition
$3,330
Undergrad Out-of-State Tuition
$17,220
Average Undergraduate Financial Aid
$13,578
Average Undergraduate Student Debt
$14,358
Graduate Student Fees
$None
Graduate In-State Tuition
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition
Average Graduate Financial Aid
Average Graduate Student Debt
Total Accredited Unit Enrollment
250
Undergraduate Enrollment
250
Graduate Enrollment
Number of In-State Students
225
Percentage of In-State Students
90
Number of International Students
0
Percentage of International Students
0
Male
61
Female
189
Not Specified
White
142
Black
3
Asian
21
Hispanic/Latino
49
Pacific Islands or Native Hawaiian
0
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
35
Average Size of Skill Based Classes
16
Average Size of Non-Skill Based Classes
40
First Year Student (Freshman) Retention Rate at University
95
Four Year Completion Rate
65
Six Year Completion Rate
93
Full-Time Employment within Six Months of Graduation
Full-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Full-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Attending a Graduate Program
Unemployed
Unknown Status
Full-Time Faculty
8
Part-Time Faculty
10
Faculty with Tenure
5
Faculty on Tenure Track
3
Untenured Part-Time Faculty
10
Untenured Full-Time Faculty
Percentage of Faculty within Scholarship or Research Field
100
Male
8
Female
10
Unspecified
White
13
Black
1
Asian
2
Hispanic/Latino
2
Pacific Island or Native Hawaiian
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for All Classes
35
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for Skill Classes
20