Communication: Journalism
Communication, BA, Concentration: Journalism
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Program Intro
Do you want to report on the latest local and national news? Travel and report on international affairs? Or write magazine essays, movie reviews and cultural commentary?
Earning a B.A. in Communication can prepare you for exciting career opportunities in journalism like these and many others.
Department of Communication and Creative Arts
A journalism focus offers you hands-on experience in various forms of reporting and writing.
Our newspaper, The Pioneer, provides you with opportunities to report, write and design. You’ll learn from faculty with years of experience, including writing for the Chicago Sun-Times and reporting on city hall and education beats.
Curriculum Overview
With a concentration in journalism, you’ll learn to write and report for news outlets, electronic media and magazines. You’ll also explore broadcast news journalism, visual communications, news editing, media theories and communication ethics. In your final year, you’ll complete a practical journalism capstone project.
Your journey begins with foundational courses in speech and news writing.
Sample Courses
- COM 11400 – Fundamentals of Speech
- COM 25500 – Into to News Reporting and Writing
Expand your repertoire with training in broadcast news and media theories.
Sample Courses
- COM 24200 – Broadcast News
- COM 33000 – Media Theories
Hone your skills with advanced classes that focus on news editing, reporting and writing, as well as writing for digital outlets. Year three is also a great time to explore internship opportunities.
Sample Courses
- COM 30500 – News Editing
- COM 30600 – Advanced News Reporting and Writing
- COM 33400 – Journalism for Electronic Media
Round out your experience with ethics, writing for magazines and a practicum course. You’re also encouraged to complete an internship.
Sample Courses
- COM 40300 – Communication Ethics
- COM 45100 – Magazine Journalism
- COM 45200 – Journalism Practicum
Highlights
In this program, you’ll benefit from the wisdom of instructors who are working journalism professionals. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience and graduate with a working portfolio that sets you apart in the marketplace.
Outcomes
As a journalism student, you’ll graduate with the ability to write in news style, conduct research and interviews and develop critical thinking skills that will help them in any field.
Internship opportunities are available that allow allow you to network with professionals while continuing to build communication skills.
Scholarships
There are multiple scholarships available to students in this program, including:
- Edwin F. and Elsie L. Buck Scholarship
- John R. Troyer Communication Scholarship
For more information, contact department head Tom Roach.
Beyond the Classroom
We encourage Communication majors with a Journalism concentration to complete internships in the field.
Career Paths
This program prepares you for a range of careers, including:
- Journalist or news anchor
- Communication or public relations specialist
- Design editor, graphic designer or web designer
Take the Next Step
See how a PNW degree opens doors, from corporate boardrooms to non-profit leadership.
