JSU's Six Pillars of Professional Communication

We are proud to be an ACEJMC accredited program, signifying our dedication to delivering top-tier education in journalism and mass communication. This commitment is built upon six core values, or 'pillars,' of professional communication, which serve as the foundation of our curriculum. 

Every course in our program is designed to immerse students in these vital values, fostering the competencies necessary for success in a dynamic industry. While individual professions may require specialized skills, we ensure all our graduates develop a comprehensive understanding of the core principles that drive our field.

What We Value

  • Accuracy, independence, and honesty
  • Freedom of expression and a free and responsible press
  • Accountability, integrity, and transparency
  • The role of media in the flow of information
  • Service to the public and stakeholders
  • Holistic development of aspiring journalism and mass communication professionals.

How it’s Reinforced (Competencies):

  • Writing clearly and effectively for the audience and purpose
  • Employing tools and technologies, ethically and responsibly, to enhance access while protecting intellectual rights and privacy.
  • Anchoring content development, use, and presentation in theory.
  • Applying research and analysis to discover trends, understand issues and serve as a foundation in decision-making.
  • Demonstrating creative, critical thinking through the thoughtful articulation of the complex
  • Developing an inclusive climate where content, events and activities reflect a diversity of beliefs, experiences, and abilities.
  • Articulating historical and legal principles that inform best practice in mass communication subfields.

ACEJMC Stated Values and Competencies

Professional Standards and Competencies

The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that graduates of accredited programs be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to:

  • apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
  • demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
  • present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
  • write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
  • demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
  • apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
  • effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
  • critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
  • apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

Units requesting evaluation of a professional master’s program must also demonstrate how their master’s graduates attain this additional core competency:

  • contribute to knowledge appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.