The Journalism major prepares students for careers in digital media production, news, public relations, radio, media research and analysis and related fields. As early as freshmen year, students get hands-on learning producing content for our award-winning student media outlets The Lumberjack, El Leñador, Osprey magazine and KRFH radio station.
Our primary focus is on producing ethical media practitioners while teaching students how to think more critically about the media they consume and produce. Students learn ways to communicate information effectively and tell compelling stories across media technologies. They study the role of the media in society and learn how media industries shape culture and are affected by political and economic systems.
We have two concentrations: News and Public Relations. In 2023, we plan to bring back our Media Studies concentration, so stay tuned for that and more exciting changes to come.
Students completing the journalism program will demonstrate the following:
- ability to tell non-fiction stories using visual and audio tools and technologies
- ability to gather information from diverse sources
- knowledge of media laws and First Amendment rights and limitations
- knowledge of ethical principles in media and public relations
- understanding of how media professionals produce content and shape the world
- ability to write clearly in styles appropriate for news or public relations, considering audiences and the purpose the content serves
- ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness and clarity
- develp a portfolio of work for use in job searches
Our students graduate to become writers, reporters, editors, magazine executives, page designers, copy editors, photographers, radio show hosts, news anchors, directors, documentary producers, public relations representatives, advertising directors, sports information directors, sports writers, online editors, web designers, media entrepreneurs and more.