Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and School of Transborder Studies are launching new dual degrees in journalism and U.S.-Mexico borderland studies starting in fall 2015. The announcement is part of the Cronkite School’s new dual degree programs, which allow students to pursue two separate degrees in less time by streamlining the admissions process and course requirements. The journalism-transborder initiative is the second of a series of undergraduate degrees to be offered by the Cronkite School in conjunction with other ASU schools and colleges in the coming months. ASU students pursuing the journalism-transborder degrees earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies. The dual degree program saves approximately one to one-and-a-half extra semesters of study by eliminating overlapping course requirements between the two schools. According to Cronkite School Dean and University Vice Provost Christopher Callahan, the new partnership prepares students for a variety of advanced reporting, legal, governmental and social service careers. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the School of Transborder Studies, a pioneer in educating students on Chicano and Latino issues,” Callahan said. “This new program provides students with a deep understanding of the social, political and economic issues surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border to better serve communities across the country.” Students in the program choose from one of three different focus areas in the School of Transborder Studies: media and expressive culture, transborder community development and health or U.S. and Mexican regional immigration policy and economy. At the Cronkite School, students take a variety of advanced journalism skills courses as well as a signature professional program such as the Cronkite News daily newscast and website. Edward Escobar, acting director and associate professor of the School of Transborder Studies, said students graduating from the dual degree program will have enhanced career opportunities in working with nation’s largest and fastest growing ethnic group. “The concurrent Bachelor of Arts degrees in Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies and Journalism and Mass Communication provide a wonderful opportunity for students,” Escobar said. “We developed the program with the goal of combining a thorough understanding of the Chicano/Latino community with training from one of the country’s finest journalism and mass communication schools.” The Cronkite School announced the new dual degree program in February with a partnership with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering to offer dual degrees in journalism and graphic information technology in fall 2015. For more information on the dual degree program, visit https://cronkite.asu.edu/dual-degree-program.
ASU’s Transborder and Journalism Schools Unveil New Dual Degrees
Sunday, March 15, 2015