The BA in Journalism program prepares its students to be well-trained communicators, providing them with the practical, technical, and language skills necessary to develop Kazakhstan’s media environment. The Bachelor of Journalism is a four-year program that primarily enrolls recent high school graduates who want to pursue careers in journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, media management and communication.
The program is supported by a unique and well-equipped media laboratory that offers hands-on experience in digital journalism and public relations.
- Programs prepare students for work or further study at the graduate level;
- Opportunities to work for campus media;
- Focus on professional experience through internships and production courses
Our Faculty
The BAJ faculty includes media professionals and well-trained academics from Kazakhstan, Europe, and North America who actively conduct research. All full time professors publish internationally.
National ratings and International accreditation
- Nationally ranked in top 3 for “Journalism” programs by the National Ranking of Educational Programs: Bachelor Programs (IQAA RK) in 2020
- Internationally accredited degree confirmed by the Foundation for Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA), Germany
Curriculum
To earn a The Bachelor of Journalism a student must complete 146 credits/240 ECTS.
| Credits | ECTS | |
| General Education Requirements | 36 | 56 |
| Program Foundation Requirements | 68 | 112 |
| Program Required Courses | 36 | 60 |
| Final Attestation | 6 | 12 |
| Total Required for Graduation | 146 | 240 |
Students should choose the General Education courses with the assistance and advice of the academic advisors. The following are some guidelines for students in the BAJ program.
General Education Requirements can be found in the General Education section of the Catalog.
Program Foundation Required Courses (32 credits/52 ECTS)
| Course Code | Course Title | KIMEP Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| ENG1100 | Academic Speaking | 3 | 5 | |
| ENG1121 | Academic Reading and Writing II | 3 | 5 | |
| JMC3616.2 or JMC3615.2 | Writing for Russian/Kazakh Media | 2 | 3 | None |
| JMC2615 | Media Writing | 3 | 5 | None |
| JMC 4614 | Media Analysis | 3 | 5 | JMC2605 |
| JMC2607 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Media and Communication | 3 | 5 | None |
| JMC2605 | Media and Society | 3 | 5 | None |
| JMC 2612 | Internet and Society | 3 | 5 | None |
| GEN/PAD 2700.2 |
Fundamentals of Sociology | 2 | 3 | |
| GEN/POL 2701.2 |
Fundamentals of Political Science | 2 | 3 | |
| GEN1704.2 /ECN1101.2 |
Introduction to Economics | 2 | 3 | |
| JMC3611 | Internship I | 3 | 5 | JMC2605 |
| TOTAL: | 32 | 52 |
Program Foundation: Elective Courses – for more information please consult with CSS Program Coordinator at css_coordinator@kimep.kz.
Majors and minors
The Department of Journalism offers the following majors (specializations) to students:
- Digital Journalism
- Public Relations
And the following minors:
- Communications
- Media and Politics
JMC 1606 English for Media Communication I
Prerequisites: None
This course will develop students’ skills for journalistic and academic writing. Topics to be covered include: Proper citations (using both the conventions of journalism and of APA academic style); identifying and avoiding plagiarism; proper use and presentation of quotations; and clear writing styles for journalism and academic writing. Students will be introduced to good examples of academic and journalistic writing, and will produce their own examples using each style.
JMC 2604 Computer Design and Editing
Prerequisites: None
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of computer applications used to design and edit journalistic materials. It provides students with the skills needed to edit stories and design newspaper/magazine pages. Topics include drawing setup, drawing and editing techniques, pictorial drawing, how to master dimensions, printing, plotting, and basic 3D modeling.
JMC 2605 Mass Media and Society
Prerequisites: None
This course surveys how media and mass communication impact society and its economic and political development. It is designed to acquaint students with theory and research in the mass communication field. It examines the relationship between individuals and the media and explores the role of and impact of media in progressively larger social systems. (Students who have taken GED2610 Mass Communications and Society should not take this course.)
JMC 2607 Ethical and Legal Issues in Mass Communication
Prerequisites: None
The course is designed to help journalists and communication professionals understand their rights and responsibilities. The course explores legal and ethical aspects in the press and in the public relations industry in Kazakhstan (local practice) and abroad (international practice). The ethical part of the course addresses news manipulation, bias, unfairness, plagiarism, fabrication, conflict of interest. The legal part introduces Press law and key concepts of Kazakhstani legal system related to regulation of mass and online communication.
JMC 2608/GEN2812 Introduction to Public Relations
Prerequisites: None
This course is designed to provide students with introductory theoretical knowledge of public relations and beginning practical experience. It surveys the basics of the PR process and PR-related communication theories. It also introduces students to PR strategies and tactics and discusses public relations professional ethics. The course offers students an opportunity to use some of the strategies and tactics that public relations practitioners have actually used in their campaigns.
JMC 2611 Introduction to Journalism
Prerequisites: None
The course provides an introduction to journalism and its role in society. Topics of exploration include: journalism and democratic society, globalization and world trends, and professional practices. Students are introduced to key concepts and issues in the field.
JMC 2612 New Information Technologies
Prerequisites: None
This practicum course is concerned with new information technologies and the impact they are having on journalism and related fields as well as on society at large. Students will develop critical understanding and practical skills related to network digital information technologies.
JMC 3201 Media Writing
Prerequisites: None
This course emphasizes news writing and reporting for print media. The course covers news values, basic news reporting skills, news story structure, AP style, and grammar and usage, and basic news reporting skills. Students will learn how to write news stories on a variety of subjects and issues. The course also examines ethical and legal issues related to the practice of journalism.
JMC 3608 Journalism in Kazakhstan and CIS
Prerequisites: None
The purpose of this course is to examine news media in Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, including regional problems that relate to journalism. The course surveys different media outlets in Kazakhstan, examines their specifics and introduces their types.
JMC 3609 Principles of Media Management
Prerequisites: None
This course introduces the basic principles of media management. It reviews the organization of radio, TV, magazine and newspaper enterprises. It also deals with case studies of media organizations.
JMC 3615.01 Writing for Russian Language Media
Prerequisites: None
This course is designed to develop help students apply skills in writing for media in the Russian language. Students will study the language of mass media and access a range of sources in the Russian-language media. The material of the course includes understanding themes and vocabulary of mass media and applying principles of Western style media writing in a Russian language environment. The course will focus on practical written assignments designed to build students’ competence in writing professionally in Russian in order to prepare them for entering the local media workforce.
JMC 3615.02 Writing for Kazakh Language Media
Prerequisites: None
This course is designed to develop help students apply skills in writing for media in the Kazakh language. Students will study the language of mass media and access a range of sources in the Kazakh-language media. The material of the course includes understanding themes and vocabulary of mass media and applying principles of Western style media writing in a Kazakh language environment. The course will focus on practical written assignments designed to build students’ competence in writing professionally in Kazakh in order to prepare them for entering the local media workforce.
JMC 3622 Print Journalism
Prerequisites: JMC 3201 Media Writing
This course covers newspapers and magazine writing. It introduces students to the writing, editing, layout, and production of magazines and newspapers. The course also teaches students the fundamentals of newsgathering, news writing, interviewing techniques, news editing and design.
Program Foundation Elective Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JMC 4701.4 | Communication Research | 4 |
| JMC 2609 | Psychology in Communication | 3 |
| JMC 2704 | Persuasive Communications | 3 |
| JMC 2703 | Photojournalism | 3 |
| JMC3211 | Editing | 3 |
| JMC 4615 | Online Multimedia Technologies | 3 |
| JMC 4705 | Introduction to Documentary | 3 |
| JMC 4707 | Broadcast Production and Editing | 3 |
| JMC 4706 | Creative Workshop | 3 |
| JMC 3707 | Broadcasting in Russian (Kazakh) | 3 |
| JMC 4708 | Independent Studies in Communications | 3 |
| JMC 3709 | Audio Production | 3 |
| JMC 5610 | Advanced News Editing | 3 |
JMC 2609 Psychology in Communication
Prerequisites: None
This course examines behavior and experience as it relates to the journalist or public relations practitioner. Major topics covered include personality factors, intelligence, perception, motivation, problem solving, social relationships and interpersonal communication. Students will gain an understanding of the importance these factors have for the mass media professional.
JMC 2703 Photojournalism
Prerequisites: None
This course covers the key concepts and skills of digital photography. It explains composition, exposure, and lighting as well as such advanced techniques as working with subjects, producing a professional portfolio, and postproduction. By understanding the traditions and current practices of successful photographers, students learn how to work as a photojournalist, while exploring and developing their own vision. Local professional photographers visit the class to ensure a realistic, stimulating view of photographic skills and options. This practical course treats visual journalism as the basis for other important categories in the field, such as commercial, landscape, fine art and portrait photography.
JMC 2704 Persuasive Communications
Prerequisites: None
This course covers key principles, practices, and contexts of persuasion in the current era of changing mass communication patterns, in both traditional and online communication spheres. Its general focus can be summarized as the “applied psychology of messaging.” We will cover many key concepts of persuasion, but will mostly focus on practical ways to deal with persuasion. Most of the class will involve learning, critiquing, using and practicing major advanced persuasion techniques. Analytical and creative thinking will be integrated into most projects. The course will also consistently consider the ethical aspects of using persuasion, in terms of individuals, groups and societies.
JMC 3211 Editing
Prerequisites: None
This course acquaints students with the philosophy of news editing and gives them extensive practice in the skills required. It covers big-picture editing – whether a story is well organized, whether information is missing that makes a story incomplete, whether the tone of the story is appropriate and so on. It also covers small-picture editing – paragraph transitions, grammar, spelling, punctuation and the like.
JMC 3707 Broadcasting in Russian
Prerequisites: None
Broadcasting in Russian is ideally taken after Broadcast Journalism (1) to continue building basic video technical skills and broadcast journalism skills initiated in the previous course, and (2) to better prepare students for potential employment especially within the dominant Russian-speaking broadcast/video industry. Students will continue developing on-camera and behind-camera skills, including news/script writing, video editing, and directing skills. They will employ their video/broadcast skills in real and/or realistic settings, producing news and informational programming.
JMC 4615 Online Interactive, Multimedia Technologies
Prerequisites: None
This course introduces students to online interactive, multimedia technologies including learning management, conferencing, video sharing, social networking multimedia, video creation and editing, and viral marketing.
JMC 4701 Communication Research
Prerequisites: None
Communication Research is an undergraduate level course designed to introduce the key research areas and gaps in communication studies; major theories of communication research, and basic research methods. The course aims to prepare students to understand the research process, to interpret research reports, and to conduct their own basic research projects.
JMC 4705 Introduction to Documentary
Prerequisites: None
This elective course is designed for undergraduate students. During the first three weeks the course will revise the basics of visual writing, different types/angles of shots, specifics of vocal delivery. The course work involves developing story ideas, on-tape interviewing, reporting, writing, video editing and on-air delivery of the script of the documentary. The final outcome of the coursework will be a production of an individual documentary piece. This course is an excellent opportunity to produce original work for student’s future portfolio.
JMC 4707 Broadcast Production and Editing
Prerequisites: None
Broadcast Production and Editing is an elective course designed for undergraduate students of journalism and mass communication. The course aims to introduce basic and advanced audio and video editing skills, vocal delivery techniques, audio and video package production. The course will showcase the best sound, image and editing experiments from the field. For students this course will offer an opportunity to apply their creativity and original interpretations in producing and editing for broadcast media.
JMC 4708 Broadcast Public Speaking
Prerequisites: None
This course will help students improve their public speaking skills. The course will teach students how to perfect pronunciation, vocal delivery, pitch, intonation and fluctuation of the voice. It will also cover rhetoric and stylistic rules of writing to the ear. The theory will also prepare students to be effective public speakers on air in various genres.
Major in Media Management
Major Required Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JMC 3623 | Broadcast Journalism | 3 |
| JMC 4613.2 | Online Journalism | 2 |
| JMC 3611 | Internship I | 3 |
| JMC 3612 | Internship II | 3 |
| JMC 4070.2 | Thesis | 2 |
| JMC 4080 | State Examination | 1 |
| JMC4601 | Advertising and Media Sales | 3 |
| JMC 4209 | Public Relations Management and Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 4611.1 | Media Management Professional Project | 3 |
| JMC5630 | Political Communication | 3 |
| JMC 4690 | Special Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication | 3 |
| JMC 4614 | Media Analysis | 3 |
JMC3611 Internship
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Mass Media and Society
This course will help students to develop marketable skills, which they can later apply in a professional setting, and begin career networking. The department, together with the internship supervisor, will evaluate students’ performance. Course may be retaken for credit with departmental permission.
JMC3612 Internship II
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Mass Media and Society
This course offers additional training in the student’s chosen field. Students may continue a previous internship or choose a new field of study. The course is designed to provide hands-on knowledge of the field and provide the opportunity to network.
JMC3623 Broadcast Journalism
Prerequisites: JMC 3201 Media Writing
This course provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of television production. It examines gathering, evaluating, writing, and delivering broadcast news copy. The emphasis for the course is on writing broadcast news. The course teaches students to write news stories that are accurate, clear, interesting, and concise.
JMC 4070 Thesis
Prerequisites: JMC 4701 Communication Research
Students will write an undergraduate thesis on independent research undertaken in consultation with a faculty advisor, who may specialize in the student’s potential thesis topic. Students must submit a proposal and obtain the written approval of the faculty advisor.
JMC 4209 Public Relations Management and Strategies
Prerequisites: JMC 2608 Introduction to Public Relations
The course examines the management function of PR, the process of research, planning, communication and evaluation in the field. During the course, students discuss both real and hypothetical PR cases. The course provides students with knowledge and skills to develop strategic communication plans using public relations techniques and tools. It discusses the specifics of different types of PR such as business, non-profit and government, among others
JMC 4601 Advertising and Media Sales
Prerequisites: None
This course examines advertising and promotional principles and their application in mass marketing. It also analyzes advertising media and the preparation of advertising campaigns. Case studies of advertising production will be examined and students will receive hands-on experience.
JMC 4611.01 Media Management Professional Project
Prerequisites: JMC 4601 Advertising and Media Sales and JMC 4209 PR Management and Strategies
Students will complete newspaper, TV/Radio projects under supervision of an instructor from the Department of Media and Communications. To enroll in the course students must have senior standing in the journalism/mass communication program.
JMC 4613 Online Journalism
Prerequisites: none
This practicum course introduces students to planning, designing, creating, and managing a complex news or informational website using an advanced content management system. Students will produce an online publication with multi-media content.
JMC 4614 Media Analysis
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Media and Society
This course demonstrates how and why to analyze a wide range of media materials. Students will use a variety of media analysis techniques to investigate the production of media messages.
JMC 4690 Special Topics in Journalism and Communication
Prerequisites: None
Generally taught in seminar format, the theme of this course will vary depending upon faculty expertise, departmental priorities and student needs. The course can be repeated for credit if the topic changes.
Major Elective Courses
| Students must choose any 3 (three) of major electives courses: | ||
| JMC 3603 | Business News | 3 |
| JMC 5612 | Advanced Media Writing | 3 |
| JMC 5705 | Brand/Image Management | 3 |
| JMC 4702 | Government Media Relations | 3 |
| JMC 4708 | Broadcast Public Speaking | 3 |
| JMC 4713 | Persuasive Visual Communication | 3 |
| JMC 5622 | Advertising Writing, Layout and Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 5704 | Persuasive Communication | 3 |
| TOTAL | 9 | |
JMC 3603 Business News
Prerequisites: None (Previous Title: Business Communication)
This course covers how journalists write and edit business stories, and how business people can use their knowledge of journalists’ practices and values to get stories about their enterprises published. It looks at hard-news stories, such as company acquisitions, expansions or layoffs, executive changes, new products, earnings reports and the like. It also covers business feature stories, such as innovative company research, company philanthropy and profiles of interesting company executives.
JMC 4708 Broadcast Public Speaking
Prerequisites: None
This course will help students improve their public speaking skills. The course will teach students how to perfect pronunciation, vocal delivery, pitch, intonation and fluctuation of the voice. It will also cover rhetoric and stylistic rules of writing to the ear. The theory will also prepare students to be effective public speakers on air in various genres.
Major in Public Relations
Major Required Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JMC 3623 | Broadcast Journalism | 3 |
| JMC 4613 | Online Journalism | 2 |
| JMC 3611 | Internship I | 3 |
| JMC 3612 | Internship II | 3 |
| JMC 4070 | Thesis | 2 |
| JMC 4080 | State Examination | 1 |
| JMC 4703 | Crisis Communication | 3 |
| JMC 4209 | Public Relations Management and Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 4611.02 | PR Professional Project | 3 |
| JMC4201 | Advanced Media Writing | 3 |
| JMC 4690 | Special Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication | 3 |
| JMC 5704 | Persuasive Communication | 3 |
JMC3611 Internship
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Mass Media and Society
This course will help students to develop marketable skills, which they can later apply in a professional setting, and begin career networking. The department, together with the internship supervisor, will evaluate students’ performance. Course may be retaken for credit with departmental permission.
JMC3612 Internship II
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Mass Media and Society
This course offers additional training in the student’s chosen field. Students may continue a previous internship or choose a new field of study. The course is designed to provide hands-on knowledge of the field and provide the opportunity to network.
JMC3623 Broadcast Journalism
Prerequisites: JMC 3201 Media Writing
This course provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of television production. It examines gathering, evaluating, writing, and delivering broadcast news copy. The emphasis for the course is on writing broadcast news. The course teaches students to write news stories that are accurate, clear, interesting, and concise.
JMC 4070 Thesis
Prerequisites: JMC 4701 Communication Research
Students will write an undergraduate thesis on independent research undertaken in consultation with a faculty advisor, who may specialize in the student’s potential thesis topic. Students must submit a proposal and obtain the written approval of the faculty advisor.
JMC 4209 Public Relations Management and Strategies
Prerequisites: JMC 2608 Introduction to Public Relations
The course examines the management function of PR, the process of research, planning, communication and evaluation in the field. During the course, students discuss both real and hypothetical PR cases. The course provides students with knowledge and skills to develop strategic communication plans using public relations techniques and tools. It discusses the specifics of different types of PR such as business, non-profit and government, among others.
JMC 4611.02 PR Professional Project
Prerequisites: JMC4703 Crisis Communication and JMC 4209 PR Management and Strategies
Students will complete PRprojects under supervision of an instructor from the Department of Media and Communications. To enroll in the course students must have senior standing in the journalism/mass communication program.
JMC 4703 Crisis Communication
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn how PR can prevent an organizational crisis and how to handle it when it occurs. This course is designed to prepare future public relations practitioners for handling crisis situations within their companies. It familiarizes PR students with crisis dynamics and major techniques of coping with crisis. The course cultivates in future PR practitioners an ability to see signs of potential crises and prevent them at their initial “warning.
JMC 4201 Advanced Media Writing
Prerequisites: JMC 3201 Media Writing
This course will offer instruction in advanced news writing techniques for newspapers and magazines; these include feature articles, investigative pieces and coverage of government, including speeches by officials and meetings of government agencies. Students will travel off-campus to cover news events.
JMC 4209 Public Relations Management and Strategies
Prerequisites: JMC 2608 Introduction to Public Relations
The course examines the management function of PR, the process of research, planning, communication and evaluation in the field. During the course, students discuss both real and hypothetical PR cases. The course provides students with knowledge and skills to develop strategic communication plans using public relations techniques and tools. It discusses the specifics of different types of PR such as business, non-profit and government, among others.
Major Elective Courses
| JMC3605 | Political Communication | 3 |
| JMC 3603 | Business News | 3 |
| JMC 4614 | Media Analysis | 3 |
| JMC 4704 | Brand/Image Management | 3 |
| JMC 4702 | Government Media Relations | 3 |
| JMC 4708 | Broadcast Public Speaking | 3 |
| JMC 4713 | Persuasive Visual Communication | 3 |
| JMC 5622 | Advertising Writing, Layout and Strategies | 3 |
JMC 3605 Political Communication
Prerequisites: None
This course covers the development and techniques of modern political communication. It examines how politicians or government officials can best frame issues to get other officials and the public to buy into their views. It also looks at the importance of communication in a political campaign – and how best to communicate to win or hold office. Finally, because so much of the crafting of political communication is based on polling, it looks at how political polling is done and how important it is.
JMC 3708 Independent Studies in Communications
Prerequisites: None
This course allows students essentially to write their own syllabus by preparing their own contract of learning goals, activities and outputs. In so doing, students are able to explore areas and develop skills they feel are important to their future. For some, their activities, such as working on a student publication, may be more experiential in nature. For other students, the activities may involve the exploration of topics not covered extensively in scheduled courses, such as movie script or magazine writing. And for yet other students, their independent studies may involve readings and research aimed at completing their required thesis. All students, however, will meet in regular seminar-style classes where they will make regular presentations on topics related to their independent studies and participate in general discussion.
JMC 4704 Brand/Image Management
Prerequisites: None
Image and Brand Management course discusses essential components of building a strong brand and impeccable image. The course helps students to learn how to create, maintain, and possibly regain an appropriate image of themselves in the eyes of stakeholders. Students will study theories and concepts that are crucial to organization’s well-being, including credibility, identity, image, and reputation. The objective of this course is to master the foundational principles of image and brand management and apply this knowledge to enhance personal or organizational image.
JMC 4614 Media Analysis
Prerequisites: JMC 2605 Media and Society
This course demonstrates how and why to analyze a wide range of media materials. Students will use a variety of media analysis techniques to investigate the production of media messages.
JMC 3603 Business News
Prerequisites: None (Previous Title: Business Communication)
This course covers how journalists write and edit business stories, and how business people can use their knowledge of journalists’ practices and values to get stories about their enterprises published. It looks at hard-news stories, such as company acquisitions, expansions or layoffs, executive changes, new products, earnings reports and the like. It also covers business feature stories, such as innovative company research, company philanthropy and profiles of interesting company executives.
Scholarship opportunities
There are many merit-based scholarship opportunities for Kazakhstani and international students.
While studying at KIMEP University, students may also apply for part-time positions available on the University campus.
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, contact the Office of Financial Aid. .
Tuition & Fees
Study abroad opportunities
One- or two-semester exchange programs with many international partner universities offer students the opportunity to discover the world. Credits earned abroad count towards KIMEP degrees.
Innovations
We are proud to announce a new course “Model UN” in collaboration with UN Kazakhstan starting from Spring 2017 semester.
Our students enjoy
• A unique atmosphere of academic freedom, international outreach and quality education.
• Internships in the leading Kazakhstani media outlets, international organizations, state bodies and top PR firms.
CAREERS
Employment and Internship Prospects
We prepare out students for careers including:
- Digital journalist
- Public relations manager
- Communication specialist
- Editor
- Social Media Marketer
- Media production specialist
- News anchor
- Copywriter
- Digital producer
- Event manager, among many others.
With a 100 percent employment rate six months after graduation, this program is flexible enough to prepare you for multiple career paths.
Studying journalism qualifies you for a career as journalist, but also for an employment in public relations and the media sector more generally.