Learn about our labs and their hours/locations, connect on Discord, get supplemental instruction and discover internships.
Equipment
Your smartphone should have the ability to capture photos, audio and video and connect to the Internet either via Wi-Fi or your carrier's network. Most Android phones and/or iPhones will meet these requirements.
If you do not currently own a smartphone, but you have a FlipCam or Kodak zi8, you may use these to capture photos and video. Some point-and-shoot cameras will be okay for photos and video, but it is your responsibility to make sure your equipment can connect to the journalism lab computers and your images and video files can be imported into the required applications.
For advanced multimedia classes you will also be required to use professional grade equipment for capturing audio and video. The department has a variety of devices available for you to check out on a first come, first serve basis.
Other classes may require that you purchase professional grade equipment. Photojournalism courses, for example, require that you purchase an SLR digital camera. But check with your instructor for more details about what will be needed. If you have any questions regarding equipment, please contact the course instructor.
Labs
The department hosts three labs.
Lab Hours
Labs are generally open from:
- 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Locations
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HUM 309/310 is dedicated to the [X]press Newsroom. You are welcome to use those computers when newsroom staff is not working on them.
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HUM 312 is also a lab, but it is also a place where many journalism courses are taught. You are welcome to use those computers when classes are not in session.
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HUM 306 is a smaller lab, but is available to you throughout the day.
Help us keep the labs and classrooms clean. Throw away all food when finished with it. Food left in rooms attracts rodents and we don’t like rodents roaming the halls at night and putting their feet up when we’re gone. Also please keep all food and drinks away from the computers and make sure that the windows and doors are closed when leaving. We want to keep the computers in the best shape as possible.
The Department of Journalism offers a website designed to help journalism students navigate the sometimes tortuous path to internships and careers in the media.
Any journalism student is encouraged to attend Supplemental Instruction (SI), which is offered as both weekly small group sessions and one-on-one tutoring. Whether you're working for an A or a C, SI can help.
SI began at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973 and is a model of peer-assisted learning now practiced at more than 1,500 institutions in 29 countries. SI targets historically difficult courses and offers free sessions to all students on a voluntary basis. Sessions are led by students — known as SI leads — who previously completed the courses successfully. These sessions are collaborative and integrate course content and study skills with information.
We know SI works for journalism classes. Based on a year-long study (2018-2019), no Reporting student who attended SI at least twice failed, and those who attended more sessions experienced additional gains (i.e., an increase of more than 10 points on their final exam — that's at least a one-letter grade increase). Additionally, students who participated in SI reported an increased sense of community within the department, and 70% of students would sign up again.
Spring 2024 SI Schedule
Mondays:
11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Adriana Hernandez
Tuesdays:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,, Steven Rissotto
3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adriana Hernandez
Wednesdays:
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.,, Steven Rissotto
2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adriana Hernandez
Thursdays:
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.,, Steven Rissotto
Fridays:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,, Steven Rissotto
3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adriana Hernandez
The Journalism Department has a Discord server. The server is intended to foster a student community during COVID-19 and remote instruction. It is moderated by members of the department's Student Advisory Board.
Join the Journalism Discord server
The department hosts some amazing events, allowing students to meet professionals in the field who are doing some incredible things.
One of the unique things about the Journalism program at SF State is friendships that are started here usually last for a long time. Faculty is very attentive. And because you spend so much time with the same people in your classes, you are bound to develop some deep friendships. The department also hosts some amazing events, allowing students to meet professionals in the field who are doing some incredible things. These events also offer you an opportunity to meet some of your peers in the program. Look out for the fliers for more details about events and speakers who have great insights to share with you.
The department also hosts workshops where you can learn the ins and outs of specialized tools that can be useful for journalism. Check the bulletin boards for these opportunities.