What it is
Journalism is the practice of gathering, verifying, and reporting news and information — across print, broadcast, and increasingly digital and multimedia platforms. It builds strong research, writing, and interviewing skills, and holds power to account.
Honest context: traditional journalism jobs are declining as the industry restructures around digital — but the skills (reporting, writing, digital content, verification) transfer to content, communications, and marketing roles that are growing.
What you'll study
Coursework combines reporting craft with media skills:
- CoreNews reporting and writing, media law and ethics, journalism history
- MultimediaDigital, video, audio/podcasting, and data journalism
- PracticeStudent media, a portfolio of published work, and internships
Concentrations & focus areas
- Print / Digital ReportingNews writing
- Broadcast JournalismTV & radio
- Multimedia / DigitalOnline & social
- Data JournalismData-driven stories
- InvestigativeIn-depth reporting
- Sports / SpecialtyBeat reporting
Skills you'll build
- Writing & reportingClear, fast, accurate
- Interviewing & researchFinding the story
- Digital/multimediaVideo, audio, social
- VerificationFact-checking
- Deadline workUnder pressure
Careers & job titles
- Reporter / journalistNews organizations
- Content writer / editorDigital media (growing)
- Communications / PROrganizations
- Multimedia / video journalistDigital
- Marketing / social mediaBrands
- Author / freelance writerIndependent
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects news reporters and journalists to decline as newsrooms shrink, though openings remain from turnover. The good news: journalism's skills are in demand in content creation, corporate communications, marketing, and digital media — where most graduates now build careers.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, news analysts, reporters, and journalists had a median around $57,500, with writers and authors ~$73,690 and editors ~$75,020. Content and communications roles (often the destination) can pay more.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's is standard, with a portfolio and internships essential; a master's can help for specialized or career-change entry.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you love writing, are curious and persistent, and want to inform the public — with realism about the industry's changes.
Future-proof it: build digital, video, and data skills, and know your reporting/writing abilities transfer to content and communications careers that are growing.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusGathering, verifying & reporting news
- RealityTraditional jobs declining; skills transfer widely
- CareersReporter, content writer/editor, communications, PR
- SkillsWriting, reporting, digital/multimedia, verification
- Pay~$57,500 (reporters); writers ~$73,690, editors ~$75,020 (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: