Journalism & Media Studies

Journalism and Media Studies Degrees

Journalism and Media Studies degrees consist of a combination of liberal arts courses and courses that teach you about the history of journalism, research methods, the importance of ethics and accuracy in the field, and the art of writing for the web and media. You will learn how to gather and deliver information to the public in a clear, compelling way, while getting a deeper understanding of the media industry.

• A bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Media studies will prepare you for entry-level jobs as a copywriter or editor.
• With experience or a master’s degree, you can expect to have opportunities to work as a columnist, writer, announcer, news manager, or news editor.

Journalism and Media Studies Job Opportunities

There are many career paths to take in the fast-paced world of journalism and media studies. You can choose a career in the exciting industries of magazines or broadcasting. Your degree can also lead you to a position in travel writing, sports writing, or science writing, to name a few.

News analysts, reporters, and correspondents held about 69,300 jobs in 2008. About 53 percent worked for newspaper, periodical, book, or directory publishers. Another 19 percent of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents were self-employed as freelancers. Employment of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents is expected to decline 6 percent between 2008 and 2018 due to the consolidation and convergence happening in the publishing and broadcast industries.

However, job opportunities will be best for applicants who have a keen understanding of writing for the web and the expanding world of new media. Students with a background in journalism who specialize in another subject, such as politics, economics, or biology, will also have an advantage over those without additional background knowledge in moving beyond an entry-level position.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.