Skip over carousel to next section
  • A student wearing a commencement cap
    For students entering in 2023-24
Academic Advising
Broadcast Journalism and Documentary Suggested 4-year Plan

» Broadcast Journalism and Documentary (B.F.A.): Suggested 4-year Plan for 2023-24

How to Use your 4-year Plan

  • This is a suggested 4-year plan for your major and not meant to replace regular academic advising.
  • The plan is flexible and can be changed to accommodate studying abroad, a second major/minor(s) or AP/IB credits.
  • You should work with an academic advisor to develop a plan that meets your interests and goals.
  • You must earn a minimum of 120 credits to graduate and 57 major-specific credits to earn a B.F.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary.
  • Transfer students should contact the program advisor for degree planning.
  • If you have any questions, please contact dodgeacademicsupport@chapman.edu.

Suggested 4-year Plan

  • We encourage you to select your General Education (GE) and minor/second major/Themed Inquiry/Honors program around the plan below. Once you fill your GE classes around your major classes, you will have a better idea of space remaining each semester when choosing your Exploration Focus.
  • To be enrolled full time, you must take at least 12 credits a semester.
  • In order to graduate within 4 years, we recommend you take 30 credits a year.
  • As you select your electives, please review the list of Selected Electives at the bottom of the page.

Year 1

Fall Semester (9 credits for major)

  • BRJL 103 - Broadcast News I (3 credits)
  • TWP 114 - Introduction to Television Production: Studio (3 credits)
  • FTV 130 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling (3 credits)

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • DOC 116 - Introduction to Television Production: Location (3 credits)
  • BRJL 232 - Electronic Cinematography for Broadcast Journalism and Documentary (3 credits)

 

 

Year 2

Fall Semester (9 credits for major)

  • FP 115 - Editing I (3 credits)
  • FP 133 - Audio Techniques (3 credits)
  • One of the following:
    • TWP 246 - History of Television (3 credits)
    • DOC 321 - The Documentary Tradition (3 credits)
    • BRJL 340 - Journalism in the 21st Century (3 credits)

Spring Semester (3 credits for major)

  • BRJL 204 - Broadcast and Online Newswriting (3 credits) or DOC 363 - Writing the Documentary (3 credits)

 


Year 3

Fall Semester (6 credits for major)

  • BRJL 310 - Television and Online News Reporting (3 credits) or DOC 335 - Documentary Production (3 credits)
  • TWP 311 - Advanced Multi-Camera TV Production (3 credits) or DIC 378 - Documentary Editing (3 credits)

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • BRJL 305 - Social Media Mobile Journalism (3 credits)
  • BRJL 307 - Mass Media Law and Ethics (3 credits)

 

 

Year 4

Fall Semester (3 credits for major)

  • BRJL 432 - Producing the Newscast (3 credits) or DOC 496 - Documentary Pre-Production, Senior Thesis I (3 credits)

Spring Semester (3 credits for major)

  • BRJL 432 - Producing the Newscast (3 credits) or DOC 497 - Documentary Post-Production, Senior Thesis II (3 credits)

  

 

Suggested Electives

  • Four upper-division electives (12 credits total) are required to complete your area of study. 
  • Electives may be taken in any semester.
  • Electives may be taken from all available BRJL, DOC and TWP courses as well as ENG 410. Suggested electives for both emphases are below.

Recommended Electives for Broadcast Journalism Emphasis

  • TWP 303 - Producing Reality Television (3 credits)
  • BRJL 347 - The Art of the Interview (3 credits)
  • BRJL 403 - Advanced News Videography (3 credits)
  • BRJL 408 - Topics in Broadcast Journalism (3 credits)
  • BRJL 408A - Anchor and Interview Workshop (3 credits)
  • BRJL 408C - Film and Entertainment Reporting (3 credits)
  • BRJL 409 - Advanced Television Reporting (3 credits)
  • ENG 410 - Advanced Reporting and Editing Workshop for Journalists (3 credits)
  • BRJL 411 - Sports Broadcasting (3 credits)
  • BRJL 431 - Producing the Television News Magazine (3 credits)
  • BRJL 490 - Independent Internship (½-6 credits)

 

Recommended Electives for Documentary Emphasis

  • DOC 329 - Experimental Course (1-3 credits)
  • DOC 341 - Investigative Journalism (3 credits)
  • DOC 345 - Wildlife and Environmental Filmmaking (3 credits)
  • DOC 375 - International Documentary Pre-Production (3 credits)
  • DOC 376 - International Documentary Production (3 credits)
  • DOC 363 - Writing the Documentary (3 credits)
  • DOC 377 - International Documentary Post-Production (3 credits)
  • DOC 380 - Community Voices: Pre-Production (3 credits)
  • DOC 381 - Community Voices: Post-Production (3 credits)
  • DOC 389 - Cross-Cultural Documentary (3 credits)
  • DOC 416 - Expedition Documentary (3 credits)
  • DOC 490 - Independent Internship (½-6 credits)

 

 

Chapman Catalog

Broadcast Journalism and Documentary (B.F.A.)

View all requirements, courses, and electives and elective groups on the Broadcast Journalism and Documentary (B.F.A.) catalog page.