Have questions about the Journalism department? Read through some of our most frequently asked questions!

Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about your program?

Our program offers a state-of-the-art computer lab, two award-winning publications, instructors who are working journalists on local publications, regular lecture series and photo exhibits on Front Page Gallery, a coaching program for students, internship opportunities because of our close ties with the publishing community in the Bay Area, and curriculum that keeps pace with the changing needs of today's newsrooms.

Yes. Six courses in our program are transferable to four-year institutions. The courses are Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media), Journalism 21 (News Writing & Reporting), Journalism 26 (Fundamentals of Public Relations), Journalism 35 (Internet Journalism), Journalism 36 (Investigative Reporting), and Journalism 37 (Introduction to Photojournalism).

Yes. Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media) and Journalism 26 (Fundamentals of Public Relations) meet the GE requirement in communication and critical thinking.

The department offers an Associate of Arts degree in journalism that takes about two years to complete. It also offers a Associate of Arts for Transfer degree that creates a clear transition to a four-year university. A Certificate of Award in journalism is also available in Online Research and another in Editorial Management & Design for those students only wishing to gain journalistic skills for possible employment within an 18-month period.

Yes, it is possible to transfer to a four-year institution. Students in our program have enrolled at San Francisco State University, U.C. Berkeley, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, and U.C. Santa Cruz, just to name a few.

No, you should not encounter any problems enrolling in our courses. Enrollment in our department is moderate. Class size is about 20 students per class, which allows for plenty of opportunities to interact with faculty and fellow students.

The Department of Journalism has been able to prepare students for entry-level positions in news media design, copyediting, photojournalism, and news writing.

Yes, the Department of Journalism has working relations with numerous neighborhood newspapers and some alternative publications in the area. Instructors in our department also have connections with the two daily papers, S.F. Chronicle and the S.F. Examiner, as well as media associations like the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association, the Bay Area Writers Guild, the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, College Media Association, Society of Professional Journalists, California Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press.

 The Department of Journalism has a $100 scholarship for continuing students. The application deadline is April 1. The department also has an in-house bulletin board with postings of journalism scholarships, events, internships, and jobs.