The ways people find and take in news and information have changed a lot in one generation, but the need for trustworthy and unbiased reporting has not. While new technologies have disrupted newspapers and other traditional media outlets, they’ve also created new formats, such as podcasting and social media journalism, to tell important stories. Today, choosing to study courses for journalism can lead to versatile skillsets that translate well to a variety of career possibilities.
US universities are leaders in applying standards to these new approaches and platforms, and offer international students hands-on approaches to studying journalism. A course for journalism (also known as a journalism degree program or j-school) at a US university could cover:
Social media- and digital newsletter-based content
Writing for citizen journalism and independent platforms (such as Substack and Medium)
Writing for video and multimedia content creation
Data journalism
Writing for emerging platforms
If you are considering a course for journalism at a US university, you should also consider career prospects, salary expectations, and technology. In addition, if you plan on returning home to start your career, you also have to think about how the role — and rules — of journalism are different from standards (and protections) in the US.
A career in journalism is interesting and worthwhile, but it’s not for everyone. Read on to better understand if a journalism major is the best fit for your career aspirations. We’ll also discuss the benefits of studying journalism in the United States, such as increased access to internships and portfolio-building opportunities.
Why Choose Journalism as a Major?
Let’s start with the bad news. It’s not easy to be a writer for a news outlet or media company in our current era. Before you enroll in a program, make sure you understand the industry and the market you are preparing to enter:
Journalists don't make much money. In 2023, the average US pay for news analysts and reporters was less than $28 an hour ($58,000 per year).
There are twice as many public university graduates (8,000) as there are available opportunities per year (4,500).
Many prominent publications are predicted to close down in the near future.
We haven’t even discussed artificial intelligence’s impact on the job market.
Journalism Is a Calling
But for many, journalism is a public service. Providing fair and just reporting may be more critical now than ever, as more publications close down and alternative sources of information, such as social media platforms, have dubious standards for sharing facts.
Yes, there are better options if you want to get rich. But journalists help people make informed decisions that affect their and others’ lives. (For context, approximately half of Americans – 52% – interviewed during the last election cycle said it was hard to tell if election news was real or fake.)
More trained journalists at the forefront of technology help people base important choices on reliable information, especially as media consumption shifts with public distrust of traditional media sources.
You Learn a lot of Important Skills in Courses for Journalism
In case you can’t find your dream role right out of college, there are several transferable soft skills that journalism degrees teach. Skills like these are valuable on almost any career path:
Interviewing
Public speaking
Digital storytelling
Journalism School Teaches Soft and Hard Skills
There are also hard skills that are important, especially in marketing, communications, and content creation-based careers. These are measurable skills, or they involve the mastery of a tool or resource that’s essential to a role, such as Figma or the Adobe Creative Cloud:
Media production and distribution
Application-based content development
Content strategy
Branded journalism
Studying Journalism at a US University
Choosing courses for journalism at a university in the United States may be very different from the curriculum in your home country. Working back home may be very different, too. Several factors influence journalism programs in each country, from freedom of the press to technology access.
Here are a few things to consider about a US course for journalism. How do these factors compare to the education you would receive back home, and how important are they to your career ambitions?
Core curriculum: US programs have integrated digital journalism options and emphasize practical skill development. Students get hands-on exposure to publications and broadcast options.
Technology: International students can expect to access up-to-date, industry-standard equipment and hardware.
Languages: While foreign language courses exist, universities generally teach journalism courses in English — make sure you can speak and write in English.
Ethics and legality: US universities base journalism programming on the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which enshrines freedom of the press. Students also learn Western ideas of journalistic ethics and media law.
Training and industry experience: Many programs require internships or other forms of professional exposure. They also have relationships with professional outlets and publications.
Research requirements: Deeper research is usually conducted at the graduate level in the US, while undergraduates learn more through practice.
Testing and assessments: Evaluations tend to emphasize portfolio development and continuous progress, and less on traditional exams that cover theory.
Choosing the Right Journalism Program: Cost and Career Outcomes
In addition to the considerations above, there are several factors to think about when choosing a university in the United States, starting with cost. The easiest way to consider cost is to consider the career opportunities available to you after graduation. Many US journalism majors pursue the following career pathways in addition to news and broadcast reporting:
Data journalist
Content strategist
Corporate communications expert
Social media manager
Content marketer
Podcast producer
Choosing the Right Curriculum
Make sure you review the curriculum: do you see specializations that interest you? Faculty expertise, professional networking community, and location can have an impact on your career opportunities. For instance, if you study at a rural university, you may not have access to as many internships and CPT opportunities. Make sure to do your research before you apply.
Is Your University Accredited?
You should also consider accreditation. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) has specific standards they use to evaluate US journalism programs. Currently, there are 120 accredited programs, including several programs at Shorelight universities:
Curriculum and Course Structure
Journalism classes at a US university may be more experiential than in other parts of the world. However, there are core journalism and liberal arts components to a bachelor’s degree in journalism in the US.
The journalism curriculum at American University, for example, requires classes in understanding media and writing for communication. Students take a mix of credit hours within their field of study at Auburn University, which means at least 30 hours of coursework to major in journalism.
In addition, students complete their coursework requirements with electives and professional track options, although each program organizes these classes to suit its educational philosophy.
The William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas offers a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications with a multimedia journalism concentration. Students at Kansas complete core courses and then choose a concentration in media arts and production, multimedia journalism, digital marketing communications, advertising and public relations, or sports media and society.
Journalism degrees from the Jandori School of Communication at St. Bonaventure start with news writing and digital content classes. St. Bonaventure students at Jandori leave university with guaranteed practical skills and experience: They must complete 700 hours of internship experience before they graduate.
The Stony Brook University School of Communication & Journalism has developed a strategic vision to guide it through 2028. This plan includes a strong focus on science, technology, health, and policy, and includes nontraditional classes and degrees, such as a 4+1 fast-track MBA option.
Now Studied in US Journalism Schools: Drones, Social Media, and Data Visualization
Perhaps more than anywhere else, US universities promote discovery through access to technology and real-time professional resources. Journalism schools feature innovative labs, workshops, and other opportunities to explore emerging media and the overlap of innovation and reporting.
The Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno has a news and broadcasting concentration with a podcasting course.
The journalism curriculum at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication features a class in social media and digital branding.
The University of South Carolina’s College of Information and Communications features drone photography in its photojournalism curriculum.
Students in the Integrated Strategic Communications minor or certificate program at the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire have several course options that focus on data analysis. These courses are available through the Communication and Journalism Department.
Is a Course for Journalism Right for You? We Can Help
If you are motivated to become a journalist and a hands-on technology-forward education appeals to you, a US university is a smart place to start. You’ll have opportunities to build your portfolio and network with alumni in the career paths that interest you. Remember to consider several important factors before you apply:
Personal factors: For example, is a city or rural campus better for you? Are there career and social services available to international students?
Professional factors: Does a US-based education make the most sense if you are planning to return home? Do the schools you are looking at have the concentrations that you need?
If you have questions about journalism programs in the US, contact Shorelight. We can help you find and apply to the right program and set you up for success once you arrive in the US.
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