SDSU creates new School of Journalism & Media Studies
August 10, 2006
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A new School of Journalism & Media Studies will be launched at San Diego State University in fall 2007 to offer degree programs in advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations. The new School is the culmination of a 2006 restructuring of the current School of Communication into two separate academic units, according to Interim Director Diane L. Borden.
Faculty from the current School unanimously endorsed the restructuring proposal in February and believe it will pave the way to strengthening both programs. The University Senate approved the change, which will take 12 months to implement, at its May 9 meeting.
Joyce Gattas, dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, which houses both Schools, said: “The creation of two distinct academic units will allow each School to better address the needs of its students and will enable the 2 faculties to build the curricula necessary to meet the demands of the fast-changing world of communication.”
The new School of Journalism & Media Studies will engage more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students in curricular offerings unmatched by other universities in Southern California, according to Borden. In addition to majors in advertising, journalism, and public relations, the School will create a new major in media studies, which will offer a liberal arts approach to educating students for emerging, non-traditional careers in mediated communication.
“This is an exciting new chapter in SDSU’s 50-year history of helping to educate and train future leaders of the media industries,” said Tim Wulfemeyer, journalism professor and SDSU alumnus. “The new School will make it possible for faculty, staff, and students to engage in even more innovative and precedent-setting teaching, research, and service.”
In addition, the new School will focus on rebuilding relationships with its alumni. “Many of the professionals who work in journalism, public relations, and advertising in San Diego are graduates of our programs,” Borden said. “We value the special connection we have to them because of our common location and will continue to support the efforts of the SDSU Friends of Journalism and Media Studies alumni chapter to involve alumni here and elsewhere in our new School.”
J.W. August, managing editor of Channel 10 News and president of the alumni chapter, said: “If ever there was a time that called for new thinking, this is it. The opportunities facing SDSU graduates have never been more challenging. 3 This new School will provide the education students need to not only meet those challenges but to excel in their careers. And our alumni chapter will provide graduates with valuable opportunities to network and utilize a wide array of resources.”
Among the groundbreaking features of the new School will be a master’s degree program in investigative journalism. The program proposes to offer mid-career journalists an opportunity to complete a rigorous 30-unit program of study in 10 months. The design is based on the current School’s highly successful master’s degree program for military Public Affairs Officers.
“The intensive program in public affairs fills an important gap for experienced career officers who know techniques but need advanced education in strategic thinking and planning,” said Dave Dozier, professor and coordinator of the program.
The PAO program just completed its inaugural year; in May, 13 military officers graduated with a master’s degree in communication, with a specialization in mass communication and media studies. Sixteen officers are slated to begin the program in fall 2006.
For more information, contact:
Diane L. Borden, Ph.D.
Interim Director
School of Communication San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-4561
Phone: 619-594-0633
Fax: 619-594-6246
Email: dborden@mail.sdsu.edu
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