Frequently Asked Questions About UA’s Department of Journalism & Creative Media

This FAQ is being revised. Got a question? Contact the department.

How and why do I complete the Override Request Form?
The Override Request Form is used to request permission to register for a JCM course for which you are unable to register. Reasons that may be causing you to not to be able to register include lack of prerequisites, the class requiring Department permission, class-level restrictions (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), or the class being full and you needing a capacity override.

All seniors will need to submit an override request in order to register for their Capstone courses.

To complete the Override Request Form, please visit jcm.ua.edu/override. When completing the form, be as descriptive as possible to help assist us in processing your request. This form is only a request and does not guarantee approval.

What is the Department of Journalism & Creative Media?
The department was created in 2016 with the merger of the Journalism and the Telecommunication & Film departments. It includes approximately 900 undergraduate majors and master’s students. This department is one of four academic units in the College of Communication and Information Sciences.

Are any minors available in JCM?
Yes, minors exist in news media, creative media and sports media. More information can be found here.

Does either major have a concentration?
Yes, News Media majors are able to declare a sports media concentration. You can see more information about the sports concentration on the flow chart located here.

Can I major in both creative media and news media? What about minors?
Students cannot major in both creative media and news media. They can choose only one. Also, news and creative media majors cannot declare a minor in the other program (or in advertising or public relations).

Who can I talk to if I have questions about these revised majors and if they are better for me than my current major?
Your adviser should be able to help. If you have fewer than 60 hours, you will be seen in Tisch Student Services. If you have more than 60 hours, you have been assigned a faculty adviser in JCM. That person can help you make an informed decision. You can find your advisor’s name on your DegreeWorks site.

Should I switch over to the new catalog?
We have made some changes for the 2020-2021 catalog year. If you were enrolled before 2020 you should look at switching to the new catalog. If you have questions you can talk to your advisor for help. You can view the new catalog here or in the academics tab of mybama under course catalog.

Are internships required in the news media and creative media majors?
They are strongly encouraged, but not required for either major.