Journalism
Associate in Arts Degree Journalism · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Students graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism will be prepared to enter the workforce in an entry level capacity without transfer to a four-year university. Students will gain skills in newswriting, feature writing, editing, design, photography, multimedia producing and editorial design making.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- The student will be able to write a balanced news article on deadline in traditional journalistic style incorporating interviewing skills, analyzing information and presenting a complete, balanced story.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to write, edit and produce all aspects of the bi-weekly campus newspaper Coast Report, including an understanding of design, photography use and editing peer's articles.
- Students will be able to evaluate online media and distinguish between mainstream, traditional media and news promoting a philosophy or one-sided agenda. They will also be able to evaluate blogs and social media.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use visual journalism to tell a story.
Requirements
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR A115 | Student Newspaper I | 4 |
| CMST A240 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select at least eight units of the following: | 8 | |
| CMST A180 | Introduction to Mass Communications | |
| FILM A155 | Television Production 1 | |
| JOUR A116 | Multi-Media Reporting and Producing | |
| JOUR A117 | Feature Writing | |
| JOUR A125 | Student Newspaper II | |
| JOUR A185 | Photojournalism | |
| JOUR A215 | Coast Report Editorial Board Level 1 | |
| POLS A180/POLS A180H | American Government and Politics | |
| Program Major Units | 18 | |
| OCC AA General Education and Multicultural Requirements | Up to 27 | |
| Degree-applicable electives to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AA GE | 60 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
- Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
- Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| CMST A240 |
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE |
| OCC AA GE AREA 3 - CHOOSE ONE |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 2 |
| Summer |
|---|
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| JOUR A115 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 5 - CHOOSE ONE |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY - CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY - CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 |
- Major Restricted Electives - at least a total of eight (8) units are required.
- OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled, take degree applicable elective units
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity