This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• Journalism B.J. Honours
• Journalism with Concentration in Health Sciences B.J. Honours
• Journalism B.J. Combined Honours
• Journalism and Communication and Media Studies B.J. Combined Honours
• Media Production and Design B.M.P.D. Honours
• Minor in News Media and Information

Regulations

In addition to the program requirements described here, students must satisfy the University regulations (see the Academic Regulations of the University section of this calendar).

Students should consult with the School when planning their program and selecting courses.

Note: students who already hold an undergraduate degree in another field are not eligible to apply for the B.J. (Honours) program. These students should consult the information on the Master of Journalism or the Master of Arts in Communication in the Graduate Calendar.

Transfer into Second Year of B.J.

The School maintains a number of places in second year for students who wish to transfer from Carleton or elsewhere. Normally, offers are made to students with an Overall CGPA equivalent to 10.00 (A-) or better.

Transfer from B.J. to B.J.Hum.

A student who has completed the first year of the B.J. program may apply to transfer into the second year of the B.J.Hum. program, and will be accepted at the discretion of the School of Journalism and the College of Humanities. Students must normally have an Overall CGPA of 10.00 (A-) or higher. Transfer into higher years will not be considered. 

Progression into 2000-Level Courses

Students may not continue into 2000-level JOUR courses unless the following minimum requirements are met:

• ​Successful completion of JOUR 1001
• Successful completion of JOUR 1002

Progression into 3000-Level Courses

Students may only continue into the 3000-level Journalism courses JOUR 3207, JOUR 3208, JOUR 3235, JOUR 3300 if they attain a minimum grade of C in each of the following: JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202, and JOUR 2501.

Progression into 4000-Level Courses

Students may only continue into the 4000-level Journalism production courses JOUR 4003, JOUR 4004, JOUR 4005 if they attain a minimum grade of C in each of the following: JOUR 3207, JOUR 3208, JOUR 3235, and JOUR 3300.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the graduation requirements of the Faculty, a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) must have:

1. an Overall CGPA and Major CGPA of at least 6.50, 
2. a minimum grade of C in each of the 2000-level and above JOUR courses required in the Major;
3. the recommendation of the School of Journalism and Communication for graduation.

Prohibited Courses

Courses below the 1000-level may not be used for credit in Journalism programs.

Academic Continuation Evaluation for Bachelor of Journalism

Students in B.J. are Honours students.

Students in the Bachelor of Journalism follow the Academic Continuation Evaluation (ACE) regulations governing Honours programs as described in Section 3.2 of the Academic Regulations of the University, with the following addition:

• Students with at least 15.5 credit attempts and who do not meet the graduation requirements of an Overall CGPA of 6.50 and a Major CGPA of 6.50 will be required to leave the program with the decision Continue in Alternate (CA).

Academic Continuation Evaluation for Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities

Students in the Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities degree follow the Academic Continuation Evaluation (ACE) regulations described in Section 3.2 of the Academic Regulations of the University with the following additions and amendments.

The Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities degree defines an Overall CGPA, a Journalism Major CGPA, and a Humanities Core CGPA.

Whenever a student is assessed in ACE, Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities students are evaluated on the basis of their Overall CGPA. The Humanities Core CGPA is assessed only at the end of each winter term.

1. A student is required to leave the program if:
   1. the student was on Academic Warning (AW) and does not achieve a decision of Eligible to Continue (EC) at the next Academic Continuation Evaluation;
   2. the student's Overall CGPA is less than 1.00;
   3. the student's Humanities Core CGPA is less than 6.00 when assessed.
2. Students with between 5.5 and 15 credit attempts who do not maintain an Overall CGPA of 4.00 and a Humanities Core CGPA of 6.5, but who have an Overall CGPA of at least 1.00 and a Humanities Core of at least 6.00, will be placed on Academic Warning (AW). Students with at least 15.5 credit attempts and who do not meet the graduation requirements of an Overall CGPA of 6.50, a Journalism Major CGPA of 6.50, and a Humanities Core CGPA of 6.50 will be required to leave the program.

See the Academic Regulations of the University section of the Calendar for additional information.

Admissions Information

Admission Requirements are for the 2023-24 year only, and are based on the Ontario High School System. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration. The cut-off averages for admission may be considerably higher than the minimum. See also the General Admission and Procedures section of this Calendar. An overall average of at least 70% is normally required to be considered for admission. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: Courses listed as recommended are not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Admissions Information

Admission requirements are based on the Ontario High School System. Prospective students can view the admission requirements through the Admissions website at admissions.carleton.ca. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program-by-program basis. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration; higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. All programs have limited enrolment and admission is not guaranteed. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: If a course is listed as recommended, it is not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Degree

• B.J. (Honours)

Admission Requirements

First Year

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include 4U English. Applicants submitting an English language test to satisfy the requirements of the English Language Proficiency section of this Calendar may use that test to also satisfy the 4U English prerequisite requirement. The Bachelor of Journalism with a Concentration in Health Sciences must also include one 4U Math, and either 4U Chemistry or 4U Biology.

Note: Students who already hold an undergraduate degree in another field are not eligible to apply for the B.J. (Honours) program. These students should consult the information on the Master of Journalism or the Master of Arts in Communication in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Calendar.

Advanced Standing

The School also maintains a number of places in second year for students who wish to transfer from Carleton or elsewhere. Normally, offers are made to students with an overall CGPA of 9.00 (B+) or higher.

Transferring from the B.J.Hum. to the B.J. or B.Hum. Degree

A student who wishes to transfer from the B.J.Hum. to the B.J. or the B.Hum. may apply through Admissions, and will be accepted if, upon entry to the new program, they would be Eligible to Continue (EC) in the new degree program.