1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

Minor/Special EmphasisBecause many journalism majors need to know about economics and business, anumber of special business minors have been developed cooperatively with theCollege of Business and Economics. The faculty also has approved minors in internationalstudies and women's studies. Students interested in such minors should conferwith their advisers.Probation/Full-Time LoadIf on probation, you shall not take more than 15 hours of course work in a semester,and the Committee on Academic Standards may require that you not take morethan 12 hours. You may not enroll for more than 18 hours in a single semester withoutpetitioning your adviser nor can you take more than 20 hours without the dean'sapproval.Withdrawal From Class Or UniversityAll students enrolled in journalism courses may withdraw from a course with a Wgrade until Friday of the tenth week of classes (see the University Calendar for thedate). After that date, you may withdraw only with the approval of the Committee onAcademic Standards, and willreceive a grade of W or WU.Journalism majors who withdraw from the University after the tenth week of asemester are automatically suspended from the School of Journalism for a minimum ofone semester (not including a summer session) unless the late withdrawal results fromillness. In such cases, you must present a written excuse at the time of withdrawal toavoid automatic suspension.Internshlp/Practicum CreditA number of internship opportunities are available for credit in the summer; to alesser extent, such credit is available during the academic year. All students interestedin this option must apply for it, must register in advance for Journalism 241, and mustestablish a contract with a sequence head or the designated coordinator. This contractis essentially an agreement that spells out the terms under which credit will be given. Itdescribes the anticipated learning experience, including assignments, reports, type ofsupervision, and required evaluations by a job supervisor and by a member of theSchool's faculty.No more than 1 percent of a student's journalism credits (2-3) can be earned viainternships, in accordance with ACEJMC standards. Students who register for a threehourinternship are discouraged from taking other courses during the same semester.Internships for three hours' credit require full-time work for a minimum of ten weeks.Except in special circumstances, students should be paid for internships. Students forwhom a full-time three-credit-hour internship cannot be arranged may have the optionof taking a mini-internship or practicum (Journalism 242) for one or two hours' credit.The one-credit-hour practicum requires approximately ten hours per week, for aminimum of ten weeks, of supervised practical experience with an organization whoseactivities are related to the student's sequence major. Two credit hours for thepracticum requires approximately 20 hours per week of practical experience for aminimum of ten weeks. Identical qualifications and procedures are required for theInternship and the practicum, except that the student may take the practicum whileenrolled in other courses in the School of Journalism and in the University. Studentsmay not take both an internship and a practicum for credit.Job PlacementThe School of Journalism assists its graduates in finding desirable positions. Itacts as a placement clearinghouse for current students and graduates, and the faculty252 School of Journalism