The Journalism and Communication Department subscribes to the 12 prescribed standards set by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Journalism and Communication (ACEJMC), the international accrediting body in our discipline. The department is in the pre-accreditation process with ACEJMC. In the interim, the Department abides by both USU’s University Studies Objectives for the “Citizen-Scholar,” and by ACEJMC’s standards, and has set the following thresholds as part of the four-year assessment process of its majors:

1. Pre-majors: Students interested in the Journalism and Communication major may declare as Premajors during their freshman and sophomore years, or as juniors when they have completed the Pre-major Core. Pre-majors typically must complete the USU University Studies requirements, plus JCOM 1000 (Intro to Mass Journalism and Communication), JCOM 1110 (Beginning Newswriting, which requires passage of the department’s English & Grammar Usage Test for admittance), and JCOM 2000 (Media Smarts) with a 2.50 or better, before applying for major status in JCOM at the end of their sophomore year. These courses provide a basic grounding for majors, and for nonmajors represent one writing-intensive and two breadth social science courses counting toward General Education requirements. Students applying for major status after completing 60 credits (including the pre-major JCOM core) are counseled each semester by faculty advisors.

2. Majors: Once accepted into the department, JCOM majors are assigned an advisor, and are required to meet with that person each semester before pre-registration. Students who do not meet with their advisors are blocked from registration. Majors must elect one of three concentration areas within the major: All majors take 15 hours of required COM core coursework, and between 15 and 21 credits of JCOM concentration requirements and electives (not to exceed 36 JCOM credits; 38 for broadcast majors). JCOM majors who do not maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA, both overall and in JCOM courses, may be dropped from the major after at least one semester of assessment and counseling.

3. Course Assessment: Assessment of student performance in each Journalism & Communication course serves as basic evaluation of student ability and learning through classroom participation, fulfillment of course requirements, meetings with instructors, and evaluation by the instructor both at the end of the semester and at various stages throughout the instruction period (as appropriate to the course). Student progress is assessed in regular feedback on assignments, examination(s), one-on-one meetings with the instructor, and faculty evaluation of the body of the student’s work in each course segment. All JCOM faculty are evaluated by students each semester, and by peers annually either as part of the regular promotion and tenure process, or through unannounced classroom assessment visits by the department head. Written reports are made in all cases.

4. Student Feedback: Each semester, the department head randomly selects up to 15 JCOM majors for impromptu feedback on faculty and course offerings, usually during weeks 12-14. At the end of the Spring semester, all JCOM majors are invited to sign up for exit interviews with a panel of faculty and students on their overall experience at USU and in the department. The department cultivates an open atmosphere that encourages student feedback on courses, schedules, and instructors. All JCOM courses undergo formal student evaluation at the end of each semester; many instructors elect to collect student evaluations at midterm and make course corrections accordingly.

5. Student Involvement: Members of the leadership of the two student organizations in Journalism & Communication — the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Student Chapter, and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) — are included in department faculty meetings as appropriate, and are expected to provide feedback to the department head.

6. External Evaluation and Feedback: In 1995, the Department of Journalism & Communication created a National Professional Advisory Council (NPAC) of USU alums and media professionals to guide the program. The advisors meet at least annually to assess the department and to make recommendations in three areas: 1.) Strategic Planning; 2.) External Fund-raising; and 3.) Curriculum and Student Training. There are 15 NPAC members who serve a maximum of two three-year terms.

7. Accreditation: The Department of Journalism & Communication at USU is not accredited by the principal accrediting body in its field — the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Journalism and Communication (ACEJMC) — but in its 2005-2006 curriculum held as closely as possible to the ACEJMC’s 12 standards. Journalism and Mass Communication programs undergo a rigorous periodic review from ACEJMC, which is charged with assessment and recommendations regarding programs in the discipline.

8. Senior Seminar: A required class for seniors, JCOM 4000 (Senior Seminar) draws seniors in all major concentrations together for one hour per week to look back on their USU and JCOM experience, to review and evaluate ongoing issues in Journalism & Communication, to compile and refine a portfolio of their work, and to prepare for the job-search (including resume preparation and interview training). Career counseling is part of the curriculum.

9. Senior Exit Interviews: Graduating seniors are asked for their feedback on the program either in a series of end-of-year lunchtime meetings with faculty or the department head (the department provides lunch), or in open calls via email to all CJOM majors. In recent years, we have had formal feedback from approximately 10% of each graduating class and additional numbers of JCOM major undergraduates. All graduating seniors also receive survey forms on their USU and JCOM experience by mail in June following their graduation. Response rates have been in the 10-12% range.