Academic Accelerator Program - Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

The Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) is a two-semester program designed specifically for students who are ready to succeed in immersive English-speaking classrooms, while includes the benefit of English-language and student support to help them thrive. The program curriculum offers a balance of university-wide and AAP-exclusive courses, with English-language course supplements that equip them with the practical, subject-specific vocabulary and skills they need to excel in their coursework.

The Bachelor of Arts - Journalism Program cultivates students’ interests and techniques in gathering information through research and interviews, and writing for the array of media platforms. Emphasis is placed on the role and responsibilities of journalism within the context of civic and political participation, and the social justice awareness rooted in the Gonzaga University's mission. Courses in journalism history, media law and ethics, and press theory form the philosophical foundation for the major and minor.

Journalism students, in their work, focus on issues of civic and cultural importance with a traditional news stance, but there are ample opportunities for experimentation with the styles of journalism appropriate for magazines, publications with a literary bent, and emerging Internet and social media platforms. They also hone their visual storytelling skills in courses such as photojournalism and emerging media.

Students pursuing a major or minor in journalism choose from an array of elective courses, including literary journalism, news leadership, media ethics, documentary filmmaking, and sports media.

Most Gonzaga University journalism students work for the weekly student newspaper, The Gonzaga University Bulletin as writers, editors or photojournalists. Credit toward the Journalism major and minor is available, as well as a stipend for editors, staff writers and photojournalists.

Many journalism students garner journalistic experience in the professional environment through internships, for which academic credit is also available.