• about options
• about the jschool
• history of the jschool
• admissions information
• admissions appeals process
• undergraduate requirements
• gaining hands-on experience
• residential learning communities
• scholarship information
• international graduate admissions

• OU admissions links
• graduate admissions
• graduate catalog
• honors tutorial college
• transferring credits to OU
• undergraduate admissions
• undergraduate catalog

The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism admits freshmen, transfer students (from other departments at Ohio University as well as from other universities) and graduate students (masters and doctoral). In addition, students may be admitted into Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College to study journalism.

Freshman Admissions

The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism admits only the best academically and professionally qualified freshmen who rank in the top 15 percent of their high school class and meet minimum standardized test score requirements (25 ACT / 1140 SAT). Students demonstrating notable talent or experience and members of disproportionately represented groups will be given special consideration.

NOTE: The school has an admission deadline of December 15, which is much earlier than the university's application deadline.

Transfer Admissions

The faculty of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is dedicated to quality instruction in preparing students for a career in the journalism disciplines. To provide this quality of instruction, the school's policy is to maintain an enrollment at a number that may be served effectively by its faculty. The Policy on Transfer Students is a means by which the school can maintain its academic quality. The policy applies to all transfers from other departments at Ohio University as well as from other colleges and universities.

NOTE: The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism encourages students interested in transferring to attend one of the transfer workshops offered by the school each year. Information about date and place of workshops is available in the school office.

1. Transfer applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last three quarters to be considered for admission. Please note that a 3.0 qualifies a student only for consideration and does not guarantee admission.


2. Transfer applicants must have completed a minimum of 45 quarter hours (30 semester hours) by the time of application.


3. Applications for transfer are taken twice per academic year. The deadline of 5 p.m. October 1st (or the following Monday if on a weekend) is for admission for winter quarter. The deadline of 5 p.m. March 1st (or the following Monday if on a weekend) is for admission for the following fall quarter. Applicants will receive written notification of acceptance or denial.


4. To apply:


1. Fill out application for transfer [download APPLICATION FORM].


2. Ohio University students applying to transfer into the School of Journalism need to include with the transfer application (see above) an OU transcript or a copy of a current DARS report.


3. Students from other universities wishing to apply for admission to the School of Journalism must follow a two-step process:


1. Complete an Ohio University application and return it with an official copy of your university transcript to the Office of Admissions, Ohio University.


2. Complete the School of Journalism transfer application form (see a. above) and submit a copy of your university transcript to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.


4. Include at least two letters of recommendation from references best able to comment on the applicant's journalistic abilities. Recommendation letters are an important part of the transfer committee's deliberations. Applicants who do not include at least two letters will not be considered. Please note: recommendation letters should not be from high school teachers.


5. Complete a 500 word written essay on the theme "Why I want to be a journalism major."


6. The transfer committee recommends that applicants submit examples of journalism work not to exceed six samples. Samples of work cannot be returned.


5. The school's transfer committee will evaluate applications and make recommendations to the Director and Associate Director. The school's Director and Associate Director will make final decisions on transfer admissions.


6. Students who are denied admission must wait one year (from the time the application was submitted) to re-apply. Applications will not be carried over to the next year. Re-application is necessary.


7. Students are encouraged to take journalism courses before applying for transfer.


8. Any application that is incomplete will not be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that his or her transfer packet is complete.


9. The application must be typed, signed and dated.



Any application received after the October 1st/March 1st deadlines will not be considered.

Mailing address:

Transfer Committee
E. W. Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979

NOTE: This policy is effective as of April 22, 2008

Studying Journalism in the Honors Tutorial College

Generally, to be considered for acceptance into the Honors Tutorial College, students must be in the upper 10% of their high school class.

The selection process includes an essay and interviews with the director of studies of the School of Journalism and the dean or assistant dean of the Honors Tutorial College. Typically, between 5-8 students are admitted each year into the Honors Tutorial Program in the School of Journalism. Interested students should talk to Dr. Bernhard Debatin (740-593-9809; debatin@ohio.edu) and/or:

Jan Hodson, Assistant Dean
Honors Tutorial College
740-593-2723
hodsonj@ohio.edu
ohio.edu/honors

Graduate Admissions

The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism offers a Master of Science degree and, in cooperation with the School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly School of Telecommunications), a Doctor of Philosophy degree in mass communication.

Students may work toward a Ph.D. in mass communication with an emphasis in either media studies or journalism.

There are differences in the doctoral programs offered by the two schools. The School of Media Arts and Studies emphasizes the study of international media, new technology and culture, media management and policy, and media studies. The School of Journalism focuses on international; legal and historical studies; visual communication; media management and public policy; and theory and empirical research.

When applying for the doctoral program select one of the two schools. In the appropriate line on the Ohio University application form, you should specify either mass communication-media arts and studies or mass communication-journalism. Combined applications are not permitted.

Admission is based on your academic and professional background. To assist the school in evaluating your qualifications, you must submit your scores on the Graduate Record Examination, a resume, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and a statement of 500 words or less about why you want to attend graduate school. International students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a TOEFL score (read more on international graduate applications). You need not have an undergraduate major in journalism.

Deadline for all graduate applications is Feb. 1.

Read more about the requirements for the masters and doctoral programs.