Frequently Asked Advising Questions
How do I register/use a permission number/file for my official degree plan/file my intent-to-graduate? Go to Frequently Asked Question on TCU registrar's page.
What is a liberal art?
A liberal art is any course that does not teach you a skill. When counting the 65 liberal art credits required for a degree in a journalism sequence you cannot include journalism courses. For ideas, please see the Guide to Liberal Arts.
Why do I have to take liberal arts?
The Schieffer School is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. ACEJMC requires 65 hours of liberal arts for schools it accredits.
How many upper division hours do I need and why do I need them?
All TCU students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree must earn 42 hours upper division hours.
What counts as upper division hours?
Junior/Senior-level courses – 30000 and 40000 level. But you can only count 3000- and 4000-level courses you took at TCU. If you’re a transfer from UT, for instance, and you took a 30000-level course at that university, the course will probably transfer into TCU, but it will not count as one of the 3000- 40000- level courses you need.
How do I get into a closed class?
All requests go through the Schieffer School Office. Journalism faculty do not let students in classes. Contact Doris Wallace in the journalism office. The Schieffer School policy does not allow extra students in classes except in extremely extenuating circumstances. Example: last class needed to graduate.
How can I change my adviser?
Email Doris Wallace at d.j.wallace@tcu.edu. Include who your current adviser is and the adviser you would like to have. Also include a very brief statement about why you want to change advisers.
How do I sign up for advising?
Advising signup sheets are posted on faculty doors, typically one to two weeks before advising starts. Please see this list as soon as possible during advising week (advisers will usually send out an email) and sign up. You CANNOT schedule classes without first being advised. You need to take care of this during the two-week advising period – not after.
Can I just call my adviser and schedule an appointment, as opposed to signing up on a door?
No. Faculty post the schedules on doors so that students can see the whole range of times that are open and choose what is convenient for them. The only copy of that schedule is on the door, not on the faculty member’s computer or desk. Therefore, they ask that you actually show up and sign up.
What do I need to bring to advising?
You need to pick up your folder from the journalism office. You also need to bring a printout of your transcript. Please bring a list of possible classes that you need to take.
Why are there so many journalism pre-reqs and why can’t I take a pre-req while taking the next class?
To be successful in a class you need the information and skills included in ALL the pre-reqs for the class.
My friend does not have to be advised. Why do I?
It is in your best interest. Your degree plan can be confusing and the Schieffer School wants you to stay on track for graduation.
Where can I get additional information about the school?
Check out the journalism web site.
Where can I get a class description?
Click on the catalog number on class search.
Will I be able to graduate on time/in eight semesters, etc?
We cannot guarantee that you will graduate on time or in eight semesters. However, if you are successful in all your classes and take full loads each semester you should be able to graduate on time. All TCU students need 124 hours to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Divide 8 into 124. It is more than 15 hours per semester.
What is a minor? Do I need a minor? Are there suggested minors? How do I go about declaring a minor?
A minor is 18 hours designated by the department where you get your minor. Some journalism sequences require a minor, some don’t. Look at the journalism web site. Any minor is OK. However, depending on your interests and major, one may be more appropriate than others for you. This is something you should discuss with your adviser in person.
I want to take classes abroad. What can I take and how can I access the information I need to plan this?
Go to International Education in room 111 of the student center. Visit their web site: http://www.wholewideworld.tcu.edu/.
Do I need an internship? What must I have taken before I can gain an internship?
How can I get credit for it? Can I do an internship for noncredit? How do I go about finding a list of potential internship employers?
All these questions are answered on the journalism web site: journalism.tcu.edu
What is the GSP? What if I fail it? When can I take the GSP?
Go to: The GSP
What is a portfolio? Do I need one? How can I go about putting one together?
A portfolio is a collection of work you have done. It can include class work and internship work. If your degree plan requires Senior Seminar you must have a portfolio for that class. You will receive instructions on how to put it together in that class.
Can I double major? Can I double major in two areas within the Schieffer School? Can I double major in two areas within the College of Communication? Can I minor in an area in the College of Communication (e.g. RTVF or Comm Studies)?
Yes to all the above. However, you must have 80 hours outside journalism. Many RTVF classes count as journalism skills classes. Therefore, you would have to stay at TCU a minimum of an extra semester (probably more) to major or minor in these. A double major within the Schieffer School, for instance would probably mean you would take at least one extra year to graduate. You would graduate with well over the 124-hour minimum.
