Admission Requirements
Ready to take the next step? The School of Journalism and Mass Communication accepts applications from current UW–Madison students during the fall and spring semesters. The vast majority of students who demonstrate a strong interest in earning a journalism degree are admitted.
- Completion of J201: Introduction to Mass Communication (students may apply during the semester that they are enrolled in J201)
- Completion of 24 credits by the time of admission
- This includes credits from courses students are enrolled in at the time that they apply.
Application Requirements
The application form currently cannot be saved midway and completed later. Here’s what to prepare ahead of completing the application.
- One-page resume
- 550-word statement of interest in the journalism major
- Unofficial UW–Madison transcripts
- Transfer students must submit an official transcript from their previous college or university.
See FAQs below for more information about our admission requirements.
Application Deadlines and Key Dates
Application Deadlines
Spring
October 1 – Application for spring semester enrollment opens
December 1 – Application for spring semester enrollment closes at 11:55 p.m. CT
Early January – Application decisions for spring semester announced
Fall
March 1 – Application for spring semester enrollment opens
May 1 – Application for spring semester enrollment closes at 11:55 p.m. CT
Early June – Application decisions for spring semester announced
Admission Information Sessions
October 2, 2024 – Admission information session at 5:30 p.m. (2195 Vilas Hall)
October 14, 2024 – Admission information session at 5:30 p.m. (2195 Vilas Hall)
November 5, 2024 – Admission information session at noon (virtual via Zoom)
Ready to apply?
Our application for Spring 2025 will be linked here when it opens October 1.
Admission FAQs
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How many students does the School of Journalism and Mass Communication admit each semester?
The SJMC admits up to 120 students each semester (240 total for the academic year).
How many semesters does it take to complete the Journalism major requirements?
Once students are admitted to the SJMC, it takes a minimum of three semesters to complete the journalism-specific degree requirement courses.
What are the required classes I must take once admitted to the SJMC?
Students are required to take J202: Mass Communication Practices and J203: Information for Communication in their first semester admitted to the SJMC.
When are admissions decisions released?
Students applying to the spring semester will hear decisions by early January. Students applying to the fall semester will hear decisions by early June.
How many credits should I take in my first semester in the SJMC?
We recommend students carefully consider their credit total and overall workload during their first semester in the SJMC. If you have any questions about your specific schedule and course load, please reach out to our undergraduate academic advisor Sandra Kubat.
What types of courses should I enroll in while awaiting the SJMC admissions decision?
Examples of courses students enroll in while waiting to hear on admissions decisions include: Natural Science breadth, Literature breath, Humanities breadth (intermediate), Social Science breadth (intermediate) and 500/600 JOURN classes (open to all majors of junior credit standing).
What is deferred admission?
If we have a large number of qualified applicants, deferred admission offers may be extended to students to start the SJMC in the following semester. (i.e. a student applied to begin in the spring semester, but can be offered a fall semester spot). Students who are offered deferred admission will take J202 and J203 in the semester they officially start the program. Deferred admitted students do not reapply to the program – they will automatically start in the semester in which they are offered admission. Students who are offered deferred admission can work with our undergraduate academic advisor, Sandra Kubat, for advising guidance before they officially begin the program.
If I am offered deferred admission, what Journalism and Mass Communication courses can I take in the semester before officially starting the degree?
Students can take the 500 and 600-level Perspectives, Topics and Advancements courses before officially starting the program.
Can I study abroad as a student in the SJMC? If so, when?
Yes! Most SJMC students elect to go abroad in the spring semester of junior year.
Please note – students are not permitted to study abroad in their first semester in the SJMC (they must be physically on-campus to take J202 and J203). For more information on studying abroad, please visit the Study Abroad Office’s website.
Can I double-major with other majors in the College of Letters & Science?
Yes! We frequently have students earn a second major within the College of Letters & Science. For a full list of majors in L&S, please visit the L&S website.
Can I double-major with majors outside of the College of Letters & Science?
The JBA/JBS is a special degree program; it is not considered a major. The JBA degree is not available to students who intend to earn a degree outside the College of Letters & Science. (i.e. School of Business, School of Human Ecology, etc.) If you are majoring outside of L&S, please consider one of our certificate programs: Sports Communication, Digital Media Analytics or Digital Studies.
Do AP credits, retroactive language credits and/or transfer credits count towards the minimum 24 credits required to apply?
The 24 credits needed to be completed by the end of the semester in which students apply can include transfer credits, but excludes AP and retroactive language credits.
If I would like help with my resume or statement of interest admissions documents, what resources can I utilize?
SuccessWorks is a great place to have resumes reviewed before applying to the SJMC. Visit their website to check out their resume resources.
What happens if I am denied admission?
If you are not admitted on your first try, you are welcome to apply again. Please consult with our admissions chair about the reason for denial and how to improve your future application.
Meet with our Advisor
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers one-on-one advising for prospective students enrolled at UW–Madison. Schedule an appointment with our undergraduate academic advisor, Sandra Kubat, to help you prepare for admission.