A Journalism profession is not for the faint of heart. It’s a tough industry that’s getting tougher by the day as newsrooms across America shudder at breakneck pace. But there’s arguably never been a more important time for excellent reporting and journalists across America. Not every school has a Journalism program for undergraduates. But there are a number of top-tier programs for those that do. Most offer practical experience for those who are ready to hit the ground running:
NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism is widely-regarded as the best in the game. Medill offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism. Journalism in Practice is a core requirement, many sections of which incorporate international travel. There is also a Journalism in Residency program, which offers a quarter-long working experience at a top media outlet in broadcast, digital, print, magazine, film, radio, and marketing. Students must also pick a concentration outside of Journalism.
MIZZOU
University of Missouri also offers a Bachelor’s in Journalism within a world-renowned program. This is a practically-focused major wherein students staff active, professional local newsrooms while still in school. Coursework for the major includes Principles of Journalism in Democracy, Cross-Cultural Journalism, Audiences and Persuasion, History of American Journalism, Communications Law, and many more.
SYRACUSE
Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Public Communications offers a Broadcast and Digital Journalism major. Courses include Audio and Digital News Writing, Reporting and Producing. TV and Digital News Producing and Presenting. Television News Magazine Production, Race, Gender, and the Media, Communications Law for Journalists, Still Photography for Broadcast Journalism, Documentary Production, and more.
UNC-CHAPEL HILL
UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media offers a Media and Journalism major with two areas of focus: Advertising and Public Relations, and Journalism. Concentration courses within journalism include: Feature Writing, Opinion Writing, Public Affairs Reporting, Photo Lighting/Business, Business Reporting, News Editing, Sports Xtra, Community Journalism, News Lab, and others. Other conceptual courses include Southern Politics, Latino Media, History of Media, and more.
USC
USC’s Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism offers majors in Communications, Journalism, and Public Relations and Advertising. Required Courses for Journalism majors include Culture of Journalism: Past, Present and Future, Reporting and Writing Practicum, Reporting and Writing, Introduction to Coding for Storytelling, Visual Journalism, Law of Mass Communication, and more. Electives include Television News and Sports Production, Radio Storytelling and Podcasts, Nonfiction Storytelling, and others.
UT AUSTIN
UT’s Moody School of Communications offers seven different degrees, including a Bachelor of Journalism. One of the benefits of going to a large is school is there are huge numbers of course offerings. At UT they include, Digital Storytelling Basics, Reporting on City and Government, Solutions Journalism, Covering Politics, Reporting Consumer News, Reporting with Data, Creative Nonfiction for Magazines and Books, Television Reporting, Sports Reporting for Texas, Oral History and Journalism, and tons more.
NYU
New York really is the epicenter of journalism. While journalists and newsrooms exist (and should continue to!) all across the globe, most big national media organizations are headquartered in New York from the New York Times to all of the major news networks. For those who want to play in the journalism sandbox of NYC, NYU is a great option. NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute offers a Journalism major.
The best way to ensure success with getting into a top Journalism program is to position yourself as an expert in the subject throughout high school. Make sure your extracurriculars and classes show the admissions committee that you’re already an accomplished journalist. Become the editor of the school paper, start a newsletter, spend your summer interning at a local news station.
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