About Journalism
About Us
The Department of Journalism at San Francisco State University was founded in 1960.
We are housed in the University’s College of Liberal & Creative Arts and have a long tradition in language arts, literature, liberal arts and the humanities. We prepare future journalists with the tools to succeed in a fast-changing digital media landscape, while staying rooted in journalism’s essential mission: to inform, to drive social progress and to uphold democracy.
SFSU Journalism delivers contemporary, multifaceted instruction to prepare students for roles as journalists, storytellers and communicators.
Our Mission
To educate students and provide leadership in an evolving media landscape by promoting excellence, integrity, creativity and social responsibility in telling the stories of a multicultural world.
From Our Community
“Truly, I couldn’t have chosen a better university and home. I think back on all the classes and all the professors and all the protests and movements that I was part of, and I’m so proud and glad that I went to SF State.”
Accreditation
We are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, among eight in California and one of six in the California State University system.
As an accredited program we are bound to uphold eight journalism education standards:
- The policies and practices ensure that we have a well-led, effective, and fairly administered working and learning environment.
- A curriculum and instruction that enables students to learn the knowledge, competencies and values for preparing students to work in a diverse domestic and global society.
- Regular assessment of student learning using direct and indirect measures that engage communication professionals and makes tangible improvements to curriculum and instruction.
- Programs that fosters equal opportunity, respect for a range of points of view and provides participatory opportunity for all elements of society while educating culturally proficient communicators prepared for a global society.
- A department that supports and evaluates a capable faculty with a balance of academic and professional credentials appropriate for the unit’s mission.
- A department that provides students with the support and services that promote learning and ensure timely completion of their program of study.
- Adequate resources to fulfill and sustain our mission.
- Our faculty advance journalism and mass communication professions and fulfill obligations
to our community, alumni and the public.
If at any time during the program you believe we are not living up to these standards, come to the chair’s office and let them know.
Journalism Rates Report
Prepared by: Office of Institutional Research
Date: July 12, 2024
1-Year Retention Rates
| Cohort | Entering Cohort | 1-Year Retention # | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2017 | 64 | 48 | 75% |
| Fall 2018 | 58 | 53 | 91.38% |
| Fall 2019 | 43 | 35 | 81.4% |
| Fall 2020 | 29 | 22 | 75.86% |
| Fall 2021 | 27 | 21 | 77.78% |
| Fall 2022 | 34 | 24 | 70.59% |
| Cohort | Entering Cohort | 1-Year Retention # | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2017 | 57 | 47 | 82.46% |
| Fall 2018 | 55 | 52 | 94.55% |
| Fall 2019 | 37 | 35 | 94.59% |
| Fall 2020 | 28 | 27 | 96.43% |
| Fall 2021 | 19 | 17 | 89.47% |
| Fall 2022 | 23 | 23 | 100% |
Journalism Graduation and Retention
Prepared by: Office of Institutional Research
Date: July 9, 2025
| Entry Year | Total Cohort | 3rd Year # | 3rd Year % | 4th Year # | 4th Year % | 5th Year # | 5th Year % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 23 | 34 | 56 |
| 2013 | 65 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 37 | 38 | 58 |
| 2014 | 73 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 26 | 33 | 45 |
| 2015 | 86 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 28 | 39 | 45 |
| 2016 | 74 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 34 | 33 | 45 |
| 2017 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 34 |
| 2018 | 58 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 38 | 30 | 52 |
| 2019 | 43 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 23 | 18 | 42 |
| 2020 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 28 | ||
| 2021 | 27 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 34 |
| Entry Year | Total Cohort | 2nd Year # | 2nd Year % | 3rd Year # | 3rd Year % | 4th Year # | 4th Year % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 48 | 7 | 15 | 25 | 52 | 29 | 60 |
| 2013 | 62 | 10 | 16 | 38 | 61 | 42 | 68 |
| 2014 | 74 | 12 | 16 | 35 | 47 | 43 | 58 |
| 2015 | 62 | 14 | 23 | 30 | 48 | 33 | 53 |
| 2016 | 51 | 18 | 35 | 35 | 69 | 39 | 76 |
| 2017 | 54 | 13 | 24 | 28 | 52 | 32 | 59 |
| 2018 | 47 | 16 | 34 | 35 | 74 | 39 | 83 |
| 2019 | 33 | 8 | 24 | 18 | 55 | 22 | 67 |
| 2020 | 24 | 10 | 42 | 15 | 63 | 18 | 75 |
| 2021 | 16 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 56 | ||
| 2022 | 22 | 5 | 23 |
Journalism Rates Report
Prepared by: Office of Institutional Research
Date: July 9, 2025
1-Year Retention Rates
| Cohort | Entering Cohort | 1-Year Retention # | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2017 | 64 | 48 | 75% |
| Fall 2018 | 58 | 53 | 91.38% |
| Fall 2019 | 43 | 35 | 81.4% |
| Fall 2020 | 29 | 22 | 75.86% |
| Fall 2021 | 27 | 21 | 77.78% |
| Fall 2022 | 34 | 24 | 70.59% |
| Fall 2023 | 27 | 23 | 85.19% |
| Cohort | Entering Cohort | 1-Year Retention # | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2017 | 54 | 45 | 83.33% |
| Fall 2018 | 47 | 44 | 93.62% |
| Fall 2019 | 33 | 31 | 93.94% |
| Fall 2020 | 24 | 24 | 100% |
| Fall 2021 | 16 | 14 | 87.5% |
| Fall 2022 | 22 | 22 | 100% |
| Fall 2023 | 16 | 11 | 68.75% |