Communications Schools Archives - collegegazette.com https://collegegazette.com/category/communications-schools/ News, Rankings, and More on Higher Education Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:31:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 The Best Journalism Schools in New York https://collegegazette.com/best-journalism-schools-in-new-york/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:31:06 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=8882 Journalism is crucial to a healthy democracy and an informed society.  In a letter to a delegate to the Continental Congress in the late 1780s, Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that, if forced to choose between “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”  Although […]

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Journalism is crucial to a healthy democracy and an informed society. 

In a letter to a delegate to the Continental Congress in the late 1780s, Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that, if forced to choose between “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” 

Although journalism is not a field that requires a professional license, it is a position of public trust, and those who practice it need practical skills as well as a grounding in the field’s professional ethics; completing a formal degree program in journalism is one of the best ways to acquire both. 

Most schools that teach journalism provide a combination of theory and practice; students learn about the history of journalism and its role in the culture while developing crucial skills such as meeting deadlines, drafting articles, interviewing subjects, and thinking critically about sources and information. 

Many faculty members are current or former reporters who can provide professional guidance as well as academic instruction. 

Most journalism schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees and provide education in many of the forms of journalism that exist today, including traditional print and broadcast journalism, digital multimedia outlets, and interactive and social media. 

Journalism students work in student-run media on campus in addition to taking on internships and networking opportunities in the local media market, which, in New York, includes some of the most prominent news organizations in the world. 

These hands-on experiences enable students to graduate with a portfolio of work that will help them take the next step in their careers.

Here are 10 of the best colleges in New York with a journalism program. 


Syracuse University SI Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University Newhouse School
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse-School-Syracuse-Univ-2014, CC BY-SA 4.0

Syracuse University SI Newhouse School of Public Communications is considered one of the preeminent schools of journalism nationally by the Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium

Newhouse seeks to train future communications professionals for the constantly evolving media field and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

The school’s student-run media include digital and print publications, including magazines focused on baking and fashion and a daily newspaper, and broadcast television studios producing news, sports, music, and other entertainment. 

The NewsHouse, Newhouse’s digital outlet, which incorporates video and written reporting, photography, social media, and interactive elements, was judged the best independent online website among large schools by the Society of Professional Journalists. 

Recently, six Newhouse students embarked on a paid internship with PBS “Frontline,” working on Oscar Guerra’s documentary “After Zero Tolerance.” 

The students conducted research and translation and assisted with filming and post-production, and several served as field producers, traveling with the PBS crew to Louisville, KY, to interview the family whose story is at the heart of the documentary.  


Fordham University (New York, NY)

Fordham University’s Journalism major falls within the Department of Communication and Media Studies and offers an optional minor in sports journalism that devotes attention to newsworthy events on and off the field. 

The journalism program’s aim is to train students to serve the public interest in a shifting media environment. 

The journalism faculty is drawn from a mix of full-time professors and working media professionals from the New York area, meaning that students are exposed to the up-to-the-minute industry standards and expectations in one of the world’s leading media markets. 

In addition to pragmatic skills, students gain a foundation in journalistic ethics and the social construction of journalism through required coursework.

Journalism students must spend at least one semester working at one of Fordham’s on-campus media organizations, including the National Public Radio affiliate WFUV, news publications The Fordham Ram and The Observer, and student-run alternative journal the paper.


Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism (New York, NY)

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Public domain photo by Columbex via Wikimedia Commons

The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism was founded in 1912 by Joseph Pulitzer, who also established the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, which is awarded for outstanding achievements in journalism, literature, and music.  

In addition to its doctoral program, Columbia offers Master of Science degrees in specialties including data journalism, investigative journalism, and documentary, and Master of Arts degrees for professional journalists who are already working in the field and wish to deepen their understanding of a particular subject area, such as science, economics, arts and culture, or politics. 

The internationally recognized Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma is a project of Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism and serves as a resource for a global network of journalists reporting on conflict and other traumatic events. 


New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute (New York, NY)

Undergraduates at New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute select one of two tracks: the print/online track for those interested primarily in writing for digital and print media and the broadcast track for students mainly interested in broadcast reporting and video production.  

All undergraduate journalism students are required to complete a dual degree and use their journalistic training to explore their chosen second major. 

In addition to strengthening both sets of skills with an interdisciplinary approach, students graduate with the subject-matter expertise to credibly and critically report on an area of personal interest.

The online platform CooperSquared highlights undergraduate reporting. Recent pieces have focused on the power of college journalism, the new business of baseball in Venezuela, and Afro-Costa Ricans’ history of inequality

Graduate students in journalism at NYU learn to adapt to evolving industry demands and choose from a number of areas of focus, including business and economic reporting, cultural reporting and criticism, global and joint program studies, podcasting and audio reportage, and science, health, and environmental reporting. 


Ithaca College Roy H. Park School of Communications (Ithaca, NY)

Ithaca College Park School of Communications, Ithaca College
Kenneth C. Zirkel, Park School of Communications, Ithaca College, CC BY-SA 4.0

The journalism program at Ithaca College is housed in the Roy H. Park School of Communications

The school teaches news-gathering and reporting skills across all types of platforms and provides insight into independent and entrepreneurial journalism as well as traditional media.

As soon as students arrive, they can start working for on-campus outlets, which include community news publication The Ithacan, public affairs and entertainment television production organization ICTV, non-commercial radio station WICB, and many more. 

Ithaca College students also regularly work with industry news outlets; student coverage of nationally significant events has included the 2020 U.S. election with CNN and NPR, the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington with NBC Nightly News and PBS Newshour Online, the 2018 March for Our Lives with NBC and MSNBC. 

For several years, students have joined NBC to cover the summer and winter Olympics.


Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)

Stony Brook University is the only SUNY school with an accredited journalism degree program (SUNY Buffalo’s excellent journalism program is an interdisciplinary certification). 

The program, which leads to a Bachelor of the Arts degree, is centered on digital reporting but grounds its teachings in the role of journalism in a democratic society. 

Internships and other forms of hands-on training are encouraged, and the Internship Memoirs section of the SB J-Drive website catalogs student experiences like embracing the newsroom chaos, finding one’s calling in public relations, and learning to love broadcast radio

Graduating seniors are encouraged to apply for the Colvin Center Wall Street Journal Fellowship, where students can gain 10 weeks of experience in international reporting. 

Student-run media at Stony Brook include The Statesman, a student newspaper since 1957, and campus magazine The Stony Brook Press

Students can gain broadcast experience at WUSB, Long Island’s biggest non-commercial radio station, which is operated by student volunteers who are supervised by an FCC-licensed engineer. 


SUNY Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)

Undergraduate students at SUNY Buffalo can pursue the interdisciplinary Journalism Certificate Program, which combines coursework in the English, Media Study, and Communication departments. 

Students study the various forms of journalism, including digital and broadcast media, documentary, social media, and literary journalism, as well as professional reporting practices and journalistic ethics.

Many of the instructors in the Journalism Certificate Program are working journalists, and students are taught practical skills, such as tracking down reliable information, conducting interviews, and meeting deadlines. The school is also home to New York State’s largest student-run undergraduate paper, The Spectrum

SUNY Buffalo also offers a certificate in professional writing and digital communication, which teaches skills in technical communication, media theory and curation, rhetoric, and digital media in education.

Notable SUNY Buffalo alumni include Emmy Award-winning CNN host Wolf Blitzer, Peabody Award-winning NPR reporter Terry Gross, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated cartoonist Tom Toles, and many more. 


Pace University (New York, NY)

Students at Pace University can study journalism in the Department of Media Communications and Visual Arts

Related degree programs include a B.A. in Communications, a B.S. in digital cinema and filmmaking, and a B.S. in digital journalism, and students can choose to minor in sports media and broadcasting. 

Students in the Department of Media Communications and Visual Arts must complete three internship credits. Recent internship placements have included WABC-TV Eyewitness News, The CBS Early Show, Cosmopolitan magazine, NBC and NBC Sports, and many more.

Among the student-run media outlets at Pace are the newspapers The Pace Press and The Pace Chronicle, which has won awards from the New York Press Association and the American Scholastic Press Association, and radio stations WPUB and WPAW.

Students have produced award-winning documentaries on subjects including the environmental threats to bees, the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, and the people of Puerto Rico responding to the devastation of Hurricane Maria.


Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science in Journalism at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and the School of Communication offers a new one-year master’s degree program. 

Undergraduate journalism students can pursue a dual degree, and students outside the major can choose a journalism immersion.

A key feature of RIT is cooperative education; RIT was ranked #11 in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report in co-op and internship programs. 

Recently, students have participated in co-ops at National Geographic, Gannett, and The Hill, and RIT’s partnerships include over 240 employers in the field of journalism. 

A primary student outlet is Reporter Magazine, a multimedia publication with digital and print reporting, a YouTube channel, and an audio podcast

The mission of the Revisiting the Rochester Narrative fellowship is to reimagine the stories told about BIPOC communities in Rochester; RIT fellows spent the summer with the Democrat and Chronicle, a local Rochester paper, and set out to tell new stories and include those who have been left out of the city’s narrative.  


Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY)

Hofstra University’s Department of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations emphasizes multimedia storytelling and building a diverse professional skill set. 

The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and public relations, and journalism students may take on an optional specialization in sports journalism. 

Student publications include The Hofstra Chronicle and WRHU Radio Hofstra, where students train using industry-standard equipment and broadcast original content, including news, talk radio, music, sports, and more. 

WRHU partners with the Society of Broadcast Engineers and WABC TV Eyewitness News, providing students with professional guidance.

Hofstra journalism students are expected to complete internships where they can learn from and make meaningful connections with industry professionals. 

Capstone projects by Master of Arts students in recent years have included examinations of the future of print journalism, the influence of political memes in the era of social media, and the fight for democracy in Belarus. 

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The 10 Best Colleges for Advertising https://collegegazette.com/best-colleges-for-advertising/ Fri, 21 Jan 2022 16:21:33 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=6171 As technology advances, so too does the world of advertising. With new and adaptive ways to connect with consumers, companies are investing in innovative ways to promote and advertise their products and brands.  For colleges offering advertising and communications programs, it’s important to assess what skills and experiences they offer in such a fast-paced industry.  […]

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As technology advances, so too does the world of advertising. With new and adaptive ways to connect with consumers, companies are investing in innovative ways to promote and advertise their products and brands. 

For colleges offering advertising and communications programs, it’s important to assess what skills and experiences they offer in such a fast-paced industry. 

In addition, it is imperative to determine what areas of specialty the program focuses on, be it integrated marketing, agency tracks, content creation, etc. 

Advertising has an infinite number of paths to pursue, and these schools feature the top programs covering the latest advances in the industry. With online, in-person, or hybrid formats, students can find the program that fits them best. 

Here are our picks for 10 of the best advertising colleges in the US. Keep in mind your list can be different than ours, as any list is based on broad, subjective criteria. 


Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT)

Quinnipiac University
Wasted Time R, Quinnipiac University Arnold Bernhard Library, CC BY-SA 3.0

For those looking for a truly experiential learning environment, Quinnipac has the resources to prepare students for any career in advertising. The school’s Advertising and Integrated Communications program equips students with the techniques and applications to learn the roles within the advertising world. 

Whether it’s the managerial track or the creative path, students will get the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in these various positions. 

A distinctive feature of this school’s program is the full-service, student-run advertising firm called The Agency. Here, students will receive real-life, hands-on experiences working with renowned clients as publicists, graphic designers, data analysts, web designers, and many other roles. 

Under the school of communication, Quinnipiac University has over 19 programs that prepare students to explore the many avenues that lead to the advertising industry. 


University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

University of Florida
WillMcC, UF EmersonAlumniHall, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recognized as one of the top advertising programs in the U.S., the University of Florida prepares students to enter a culturally diverse and rich marketplace. The program is designed to expose students to real-life experiences in the world of advertising.

In the advertising department, students have two tracks to choose from: advertising agency and persuasive messaging. While both emphasize experiential learning within the advertising field, students can either customize their courses with persuasive messaging or opt for entry-level roles through the agency track. 

The University of Florida is home to Ad Society, which is the school’s organization for professional student advertising. As an accredited chapter of the American Advertising Federation, this organization lends itself as a resource for students seeking to build their network, receive support, and learn about the industry.  

Sharing the same name as the previous school on this list, the University of Florida also features a student-led firm called the Agency. 


Syracuse University Newhouse School of Communication (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University Newhouse School
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse School Syracuse University, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Newhouse School of Communication offers a robust advertising program through a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Students will have the opportunity to explore the school’s rich mix of courses that equip them with hands-on advertising experiences. 

A key feature of the school is its emphasis on teaching about the current state of the advertising world. Students will consistently get the chance to work with clients throughout the program, delivering premium marketing solutions. 

Students at Newhouse will have exclusive access to the Eric Mower Advertising Forum. Established in 2009 by the advertising department, this forum creates impactful learning experiences for students and faculty, by featuring keynote speakers and curated workshops.

Home to one of the largest student-led advertising agencies in the nation, TNH allows students to begin their professional careers in advertising while they’re in school. With an impressive repertoire of clients, students are sure to acquire rich industry-related experiences in this program. 


University of Texas at Austin Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations (Austin, TX)

For over 40 years, the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations has been preparing students to lead in the field of advertising. With an emphasis on combining course materials with real-life experiences, this program seeks to ready students to enter the marketplace. 

The coursework within this program trains students in a range of skill sets, from advertising management to creative mediums. Students have the opportunity to build their coursework to reflect their areas of interest within the field. 

A requirement for each student within the program is to complete an internship of their choice. Choosing from a range of specialized internships, students will be expected to apply their learnings to these authentic opportunities. 

An added element to this program is the unique elective sequences offered. Students will have the chance to choose from a selection of elective courses that highlight immersive technology, creative branding, or media analytics. 


Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)

Influenced by the ever-changing advertising landscape, Temple University offers students adaptive coursework and experiences in the world of advertising. 

Based in the fourth-largest media market, students can take advantage of working alongside world-class clients through immersive courses, internships, and potential career paths.

With over six concentrations, this program prepares students for any career in advertising and public relations. A feature unique to this program is the account managing track, where students can learn how to build and manage relationships with clients. 

To cultivate professional experiences within the program, students are required to either take part in the school’s student-led agency, or pursue an internship. A cornerstone foundation at Temple is to prepare students for their post-graduate professional careers. 

Whether students are looking for a broad overview of the advertising field or specialized career tracks, this program offers students many paths to explore. 


Drake University (Des Moines, IA)

At the intersection of art and commerce, studying at Drake University combines the business and creative side of advertising. This program is designed to build the foundation of advertising from both sides of the industry to create a holistic learning experience. 

Through their coursework, students will have the chance to gain hands-on experiences in creative production as well as media planning. This range of topics allows for students to get a glimpse into the careers which are in demand. 

Upon reaching their senior year, students will be expected to complete a multimedia campaign for a legitimate client. With the help and collaboration of their peers, this campaign will assist students with the professional experience that will be added to their portfolios. 

The program further encourages students eager to enhance their studies to consider choosing a double major such as psychology, graphic design, or business to complement their degree. 


Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)

Michigan State University
Paul R. Burley, Williams Hall Michigan State University, CC BY-SA 4.0

For students looking to pursue a linked B.A. to M.A. degree in advertising, Michigan State University is the perfect place. Offering multiple programs within the advertising industry, students can build an advanced academic career rich in authentic experiences. 

Whether undergraduate students are interested in pursuing creative advertising, management, or public relations, the program offers a degree in each respective concentration. The graduate tracks offered in the program focus on obtaining a masters in either advertising and public relations or health and risk communication. 

As part of the program’s mission, MSU is designed to equip students with a rich background of learning in advertising. Students are not only prepared to enter the marketplace, but encouraged to set the standards of the industry. 


University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Killivalavan Solai, Main Library-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, CC BY-SA 4.0

Dubbed as the first advertising program in the country, the Sandage Department of Advertising prides itself as an innovative and industry-shaping program. The department offers degrees and certificates that reach students through in-person teaching or virtual learning. 

Research is one of the program pillars where students can dive deeper into topics such as consumer insights related to the field of advertising. The program encourages students to learn qualitative and quantitative research methods which can be applied to every facet of the industry. 

The faculty of the advertising department are notable and active experts within the sector and continue to publish new research for related organizations. Students will have the added opportunity to see the process and findings produced by their professors. 


Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

Southern Methodist University
Carol M. Highsmith, Southern Methodist University, marked as public domain

Established in 2001, the Temerlin Advertising Institute for Education and Research is equipped to help students find their focus in advertising. The undergraduate studies present students with three areas of focus: creative, digital media strategy, and strategic brand management. 

With each area of focus, students are expected to apply to the major, as well as the specialization, simultaneously. 

Located in a top media market, the institute provides unique opportunities to enhance the learning experience for students. As an extension to the SMU campus, the institute offers related courses in London, England and other partnered programs. 

Preparing students for careers in the advertising field, the program emphasizes experiential learning with small-sized classrooms, extensive projects, and industry leaders as their professors. As part of their undergrad capstone, students will be expected to create real-world solutions for the program’s notable clients. 


University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

University of Georgia Grady Advertising Department
Ugastudent, Grady’s Front Lawn, CC BY-SA 4.0

As a perennially ranked program, the Grady ADPR Department offers a competitive advertising and public relations program. With a faculty roster of award-winning individuals, ADPR provides students with a rich selection of concentrations. 

Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in advertising or public relations, which allows them to develop their skill sets as analysts and creative planners. While the program aims to give students a solid foundation in advertising, ADPR encourages students to further specialize in their studies towards their interests. 

Enhancing the experiences of students, ADPR offers a selection of study abroad opportunities in various domestic and international markets. These opportunities provide real-life applications of theories and practices students learn within their courses. 

To assist their post-graduate search, ADPR offers a compiled list of jobs and opportunities students can use as a source of reference when building their career paths.

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The 10 Best Master’s in Journalism Programs in the US https://collegegazette.com/best-masters-in-journalism-programs-in-the-us/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 22:25:48 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=5473 Getting a graduate degree in Journalism today can lead to more careers than writing for a newspaper or working at a TV news bureau. Think about how many sources there are for news now, especially online, and it’s easy to see how competitive Journalism departments must provide training in technological tools, audience attention and perception, […]

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Getting a graduate degree in Journalism today can lead to more careers than writing for a newspaper or working at a TV news bureau. Think about how many sources there are for news now, especially online, and it’s easy to see how competitive Journalism departments must provide training in technological tools, audience attention and perception, and the many ways available to tell a story.

Anybody planning a career in news acquisition and delivery—whether it’s going to be digging out the secrets and backstories of corporations and politicians or illuminating the newest scientific discoveries—these graduate programs offer specific skills training along with professional experience.

Most people might think getting a Master’s Degree in Journalism requires an undergraduate degree in Journalism or English first. But many programs accept or even recommend a degree in the subject matter of interest—the topic the student wants to cover as a reporter.

Once a candidate decides to apply, a series of follow-up decisions guide the choice of school. Students planning to work as field reporters, correspondents, writers—any active media role—want to look for a “Professional” track. These Professional Master’s programs can be MA or MS.

Students interested in teaching, research, or even media management might consider a Research track. Today’s media world requires a tremendous amount of market research, psychological and physiological study, and statistical analysis. 

Students with the right training can find work at centers and foundations for media study around the world, as well as in private companies.

A Master’s Degree in Journalism can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the scope and nature of the program. Many graduate programs allow students to attend classes part-time to maintain an ongoing career. Quality options exist in hybrid and completely virtual forms.

Journalism graduate candidates need to consider the kind of course delivery they’d most value. Many top schools employ the “teaching-hospital model” of study, where graduate students learn by doing rather than traditional classroom credit hours.

These schools offer skills training from professionals, career planning and contacts, internships and study abroad programs, and the opportunity to learn what life as a contemporary journalist feels like. These schools envision the journalism of the future as well, where biometrics and gaming technology will bring the news to life in new and exciting ways.

Here are 10 of the best Master’s in Journalism Schools in the US.


University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Madison, WI)

UW Madison garners widespread acclaim for its Communication and Media Studies programs, ranking in the top ten globally. The Journalism department offers Research and Professional MA programs, both with renowned faculty and extensive professional opportunities for students.

Students in the Professional MA program work with an advisor to select classes in a variety of nonfiction writing. Coursework not only develops the student’s communication skills, but also grounds each student in a larger understanding of how mass communication functions.

The Professional MA program requires a specialty area: students interested in reporting on climate change, for instance, take courses through UW’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Students devise areas of specialty with access to all the departments of UW Madison.

The department assists students in finding professional development situations through funding travel to conferences, bringing professionals to campus for workshops, and through internships with Madison Commons, the school’s news site. All Master’s students must complete a professional internship with a media company while in the program.

UW-Madison ranks among the leading journalism research institutions, with multiple centers for studying metrics, history, ethics, and theory. The Center for Journalism Ethics draws journalists from around the world for conferences and residencies.

Research students can be a part of the school’s Mass Communication Research Center, which hosts research groups studying media-related topics from computational analysis to social media and democracy.


Ohio State University School of Journalism (Columbus, OH)

Ohio State University School of Journalism
Blervis, Journalism OSU, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Graduate Program in Communications at Ohio State encourages students to take a broad, contextual view of media studies. Candidates find their own roles and voices within modern media while learning how the mechanisms of communication affect society.

Ohio State’s program explores the way multiple aspects of the communication fields intersect. Research areas within the program span topics like human-computer interaction, field research and opinion polls, and even automated eye-tracking of visual stimuli.

The program focuses on the way the public takes in media, with research groups in specific areas covering the management of images and ideas. Students in the program explore the way audiences respond to electronic and print media, how polls can be interpreted, and the way our brains react to information.

Ohio State’s program is less focused on traditional Journalism coursework on reporting and writing. Polling work, advertising, brain research, medical compliance and patient relations, and strategic broadcast media planning would all be careers served by a program like this one.

Every admitted MA student receives full funding through associateships or fellowships. Its commitment to student research, excellent faculty, and forward-thinking curriculum make the program a leader in the discipline; recent assessment by Shanghai Ranking placed the department at #2 among Communications programs worldwide.


West Virginia University Perley Isaac Reid School of Journalism (Morgantown, WV)

West Virginia University Reed School of Journalism
Richinstead, Wvu-martin-hall, CC BY-SA 3.0

Reed College of Media at West Virginia University offers a Master of Science degree in multiple Communications fields, some of which can be completed online. The Master of Science in Journalism students matriculate on campus, choosing either the teaching-research track or professional track.

Reed’s program considers the complexity of modern media and seeks to provide students with the skills and training to forge a purpose-driven career in the field. Within each track, students can choose from five Areas of Interest to add dimension to their study.

The program’s designated Areas of Interest show its awareness of the wide range of expertise needed to function in the world of modern media: Advocacy & Public Interest Communications, Media Innovation, Digital Publishing, Visual Journalism, Reporting & Writing, and Television.

Immersive web-based journalism projects like 100 Days in Appalachia offer Reed College of Media students a chance at professional experience. The school’s Media Innovation Center fosters many such projects, along with workshops, podcasts, and innovator-in-residence programs, keeping student experience relevant and vital.

Departmental assistantships offer financial support and professional experience. Reed College of Media offers a global reach and an expansive vision in a small-town setting. It may be the only Journalism program with its own therapy dog.


UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism (Berkeley, CA)

Berkeley’s School of Journalism has a storied history of advocacy, ethics, and excellence. Pulitzer Prize winners, NPR correspondents, filmmakers, novelists, and titans of print and television news number among the school’s graduates.

For students considering long-form and multimedia, The UC Berkeley School of Journalism offers a dazzling array of study options. Photo and Video Journalism have their own separate concentrations and course sequences with visual thesis projects.

The Video Reporting and Storytelling sequence of classes provides the backbone for the Video Journalism and Documentary concentrations. The Multimedia concentration includes coursework in writing, visual narrative, and other media. Audio journalism focuses on radio and podcasting writing, reporting, and programming.

Professional-level studios allow Berkeley students to create, record, and broadcast their own projects and connect with industry professionals at work there. Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program, led by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, works with Netflix and FRONTLINE to research and produce documentaries on stories related to injustice and abuse of power.

Aspiring print and audio journalists interested farming, food science, and agriculture can apply for the Food and Farming Journalism Fellowships, $10,000 scholarships offered through Berkeley’s School of Journalism.


Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism (Evanston, IL)

Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
Madcoverboy, Fisk Hall at Northwestern, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, part of Northwestern University, spans five campuses. Anchored by the Evanston campus, Medill students can join classes or residencies at satellite campuses in downtown Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., or in Doha, Qatar.

Medill’s offers a Master of Science in Journalism; candidates base their curriculum on either a subject or method specialization. Politics, Health, Sports Media, Investigative Practices—specialization areas cover most prospective journalists’ interests.

The Medill MSJ takes one year to complete. Students have the opportunity to travel through Medill Explores, a program led by Medill professors that take the classroom on the road.

The Knight Lab at Medill serves as a crucible for student networking and projects, providing resources and technology. Medill’s Spiegel Research Center leads the industry in customer engagement research.

Graduates of Medill go on to become leading figures in news and entertainment. Writers Gillian Flynn and George R.R. Martin are graduates, along with Clara Jeffery, Editor-in-Chief of Mother Jones magazine, TV writer and producer Mara Brock Akil, news anchor Sheinelle Jones, sportswriter Christine Brennan, and Pulitzer-prize winner Tina Rosenberg.


University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism (College Park, MD)

The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland offers a versatile graduate program focusing on data studies, investigative journalism, and sports journalism.

Depending on track (research or professional), Merrill has an MA and an MJ degree (respectively). The MA requires a final thesis; the MJ concludes with a portfolio review.

Candidates interested in information studies may choose a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Data Journalism—this track, a joint offering from Merrill and the UMD College of Information Studies, may be completed in person, online, or in hybrid form.

Coursework within the program tracks covers many specific, currently relevant topics in journalism. Students can choose courses like Multimedia Storytelling, Audience and Analytics, Newsroom Management, and Mobile Journalism, allowing them to envision and prepare for their future professional roles in practical ways.

A Budding sports journalist should note Merrill’s excellent Povich Center for Sports Journalism, a center for this format unlike any other. Candidates interested in political reporting would benefit from the program’s proximity to D.C. and its student-run news service, an entity so successful it now reports to the Associated Press.

With its investigative journalism center, opportunities for study abroad, and professional faculty, Merrill offers graduate students a wealth of quality experiences. Its retention rates, internship opportunities, and real-world approach ensure students the best preparation for a career in journalism.


University of Missouri School of Journalism (Columbia, MO)

The University of Missouri at Columbia originated the study of Journalism as a degree program. Also one of the oldest graduate programs in the field, Missouri granted its first Master’s diploma in 1921.

Missouri Journalism graduate students can pursue their Master’s degree on or off-campus. In either case, the program expects students to develop and write publishable articles under the guidance of faculty and mentors.

The Reynolds Journalism Institute gives students professional development opportunities by bringing in working journalists as Fellows, sponsoring workshops and competitions, and maintaining various publications with student work. Writers groups, presentations, and project meetings take place in well-furnished facilities, where students can access tools and media through the Frank Lee Martin Journalism Library.

The PRIME Lab at Missouri conducts research on psychophysiological response to media. Along with five other labs within the mass communication and journalism programs, The PRIME Lab allows students interested in data science to conduct research, participate in conferences, and submit to academic journals.

Missouri’s legacy allows it to maintain significant connections to the industry, giving students unprecedented access to journalism professionals. Multiple campus-based organizations and facilities bring working journalists to Missouri.

Walter Williams, the first dean of Missouri’s School of Journalism, authored “The Journalist’s Creed,” a kind of Hippocratic Oath for Journalism. His words grace the walls of the National Press Club and newsrooms around the world.


Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism (New York, NY)

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Pulitzer Hall – public domain photo by Columbex via Wikimedia Commons

Columbia University’s Journalism School offers more permutations of Master-level graduate degrees than almost any other program. Master of Science, Master of Science in Data, and Master of Arts degrees further differentiate into 16 different areas of study.

The program features specialty tracks in Data, Documentary, and Multimedia, like other programs. But specialty areas in Arts Journalism, International Journalism, and Science Journalism set Columbia’s program apart.

Documentary and Investigative students have options to expand their educational experience. Documentary students can extend their matriculation by a semester to complete a short documentary film; students specializing in Investigative Journalism can take additional training at the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism.

Multiple centers for Journalism practice and research call the Columbia campus home. The Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights offers fellowships and awards annual prizes for reporting on Civil Rights issues. 

Columbia Journalism partners with Stanford University’s School of Engineering in the Brown Institute for Media Innovation, where grants, seminars, training, and access to technology allow students to envision future forms of journalism.


Arizona State University Walter Kronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications (Phoenix, AZ)

Arizona State University’s acclaimed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication presents an array of degree programs for prospective students with the ambition to become public figures, whether in print, television, or digital media. 

The program offers MA degrees in Investigative Journalism and Sports Journalism, an MS in Digital Audience Strategy, and an MMC in Mass Communication.

Dual Degrees in cooperation with other professional programs present students with a way to be uniquely qualified to report in their chosen fields. 

The Mayo Clinic’s Alix School of Medicine provides the necessary dimension in coursework for the MD/MMC degree, while ASU’s own Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law supports the MMC/MLS Master of Mass Communication and Legal Studies.

Campuses in Phoenix and Los Angeles serve student needs by offering professional opportunities and a base of solid communication skills. The old Herald Examiner building houses Cronkite News’ Los Angeles bureau, along with up-to-the-minute studio equipment.

The Cronkite School owns Arizona’s PBS station, and students participate in creating Cronkite News, broadcast nightly across Arizona.

The Cronkite School regularly refashions the study and practice of journalism. Immersive journalism features heavily in a new program integrating gaming technology with narrative to deliver the news. The school plans to offer a new graduate degree in Emerging Media and Narrative Storytelling.


Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University Newhouse School
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse School Syracuse University, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse provides its graduate students with solid experience and a significant matrix of professional support by the time they receive a diploma. Newhouse places 89% of its graduates as working journalists within six months of graduation.

Newhouse degrees follow the Professional or Academic model, with 11 different programs under the Professional heading. Online Master of Science degrees in Communications and Communications Management provides the Newhouse quality of instruction to students who cannot attend on campus.

Alongside Digital Journalism and Multimedia Master’s programs, Newhouse has some less common concentration areas, like a degree program that proposes all companies now need a media presence, and therefore media management.

Student-run news publications, both print and online, join radio stations, television stations, as well as student-run public relations and advertising agencies. Newhouse students have access to the Career Development Center, providing connections and job search advice.

Newhouse grounds its students in the fundamental skills of journalism while providing the context in which students can envision the many roles of a 21st-century journalist. On-campus centers for research and media projects give students work experience and support working journalists, as well as enriching the field itself.

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The 10 Best Colleges for Sports Management https://collegegazette.com/best-colleges-for-sports-management/ Wed, 16 Jun 2021 22:57:11 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=3179 Tom Brady, Lebron James, Serena Williams, Simone Biles — the best-known names in sports are the star athletes. The Super Bowls, championships, tournaments, and Olympics they play draw millions of spectators. But behind every star, every event is an army of managers, agents, and administrators that make it all happen. Sports management involves planning, organizing, […]

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Tom Brady, Lebron James, Serena Williams, Simone Biles — the best-known names in sports are the star athletes. The Super Bowls, championships, tournaments, and Olympics they play draw millions of spectators. But behind every star, every event is an army of managers, agents, and administrators that make it all happen.

Sports management involves planning, organizing, managing, budgeting, and marketing for the various areas of the sports industry. While athletes and coaches focus on the game, sports managers handle the business side. This might mean running the budget of a large arena or forging personal connections with high-profile players and executives. It could also mean being an agent for one of these players or becoming a talent scout for the next generation.

If you’re a big sports fan and want to go into business, studying sports management in college is the perfect way to combine your passions into a career that can be very lucrative. In this article, we’ll highlight the main draws of 10 baccalaureate sports management programs in the U.S. These programs range from business to marketing to physiology, with opportunities to intern at big-name sports conglomerates or study abroad for a global perspective.

The following programs stand out because they provide professional training as well as basic knowledge of kinesiology and business theory. They’re especially good at connecting students to post-grad work opportunities.

So without further ado, here are 10 of the best colleges for sports management.


Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)

Florida State University
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

FSU’s undergrad sports management program lays the foundation for how the sports industry works. After taking core classes in management, students can take electives that focus on a particular area of interest within the sports industry, including collegiate athletics, the broader sports industry, its sociocultural issues, and more.

Students can also participate in a practicum, where they apply what they’ve learned to real-life sports events. These experiences can be part-time or full-time, volunteer or paid. Often this means traveling to other parts of the country and networking with established professionals in the industry.

In 2019, FSU students traveled to Tampa, Florida for the NCAA Women’s Final Four. They got to meet and work with representatives from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).


Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

Indiana University
Vmenkov, Herman B Wells Library and lotus pond, CC BY-SA 3.0

At IU, students pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSK) with a major in Sports Marketing and Management. It’s a competitive, internationally renowned program that provides a basic foundation in law, marketing, communication, management, psychology, and finance. Students will develop practical skills in media relations, public relations, event planning, computers, and business organization.

The degree focuses both on the physical body and the business of sports. Students then apply this knowledge to a required practicum or internship at IU’s own athletic department or Indianapolis, home to the Colts (NFL), Pacers (NBA), Fever (WNBA), Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and more. Indeed, IU is one of the best places to study sports management because of the sheer variety of sports opportunities in the surrounding community.

Perhaps the most famous IU alum in sports management is billionaire investor Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks.


Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

Ohio State University
Nheyob, University Hall, The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio), CC BY-SA 3.0

Majoring in Sport Industry at OSU results in a B.S. and gives students an interdisciplinary education. Courses include sports history and development, ethics, and sports’ relationship to business, mass media, public policy, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and class.

The major prepares students for athletic administration, coaching, fitness training, community recreation, youth sport, sport communications, sports marketing, and sports franchises and facilities. The B.S. program also prepares students for competitive master’s programs that will take them deeper into the field.

OSU students can also study abroad in Germany to learn the European model of sports management or Japan to learn about the country’s culture through sports.

Ohio State men’s basketball coach Bob Knight graduated from the school in 1962.


Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)

Temple University
Jim.henderson, Charles Library winter, CC BY 4.0

Located in the fan-centric city of Philadelphia, Temple University has a dedicated school for sport, tourism, and hospitality management. In addition to regular coursework, students are required to complete two internships in order to earn a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management. The program prepares students for a plethora of professional areas: sales and promotions, account management, fitness director, public relations, sports analytics, event and venue management, and so on.

Alternatively, Temple offers a minor in sport management that students can use to enhance their job prospects if they plan on entering a sports-related field.

There are also many undergraduate professional organizations at Temple, such as the Event Planning Association, Society of Minorities in Sport, and Sport and Governance Association.


Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University
DASonnenfeld, Hall of Languages Syracuse Univ, CC BY-SA 4.0

Syracuse University’s sports management program boasts specialized courses, professional electives, and liberal arts requirements that prepare students for a dynamic role in the sports industry. Graduates will learn how to negotiate employment and endorsement contracts for athletes and teams, plan games, tournaments, and fundraisers; oversee major sporting venues; and manage day-to-day team operations.

Course offerings cover important topics like the Super Bowl, the Olympics, psycho-social issues in sport, and an immersion in Los Angeles, which is an in-person educational and networking event that introduces students to the sports industry on the west coast.

Syracuse students also have the unique opportunity to complete a hands-on senior capstone experience in sales, marketing, finance, event management, law, or other field. Past capstone placements have included Comcast-Spectacor, ESPN, Madison Square Garden, Major League Soccer (MLS), National Hockey League (NHL), Under Armour, and the U.S. Olympic Committee.


Rice University (Houston, TX)

Rice University
Leonard Lane, Fondren Library, Rice University, CC BY 4.0

Niche.com, which bases school rankings on data from the U.S. Department of Education and student/alumni reviews, names Rice the #1 school in the country to learn sports management, kinesiology, and physical therapy.

Rice’s Department of Sport Management offers three different concentrations: sports analytics, sports law, and sports leadership.

Rice graduates and faculty have held impressive positions within the sports industry, and their achievement is honored through various undergraduate awards at the university. The Jesse Tsu Sport Management Academic Achievement Award is given to the graduating senior with the highest GPA and is named after Jesse Tsu ‘11, who now works as a director at Nike’s Tokyo office. 

The Patrick K. Thornton Memorial Award is named after Professor Thornton, an authority on sports law and former faculty member. This award is bestowed on students with the highest grade in the concentration.


University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)

University of Miami
Chad Cooper, Main Gate University of Miami, CC BY 2.0

Miami’s Sport Administration major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) and requires students to minor in another field. Common complements to the major include business, sports medicine, or exercise physiology.

Coursework focuses particularly on sports organization, ethics, marketing, leadership, and law. Miami’s program is notable for its field placements in the collegiate, professional, recreational, and fitness industries, where students get to apply their skills and knowledge to real work environments. 

Miami students also benefit from the university’s active athletic department. Prominent sports admin alumni include Skip Bertman — former athletic director at Louisiana State University and member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame — and Alex Cora, manager of the Boston Red Sox.


Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

Southern Methodist University
Spencerjc1, Cox SMU, CC BY-SA 3.0

At SMU, Sports Management is a concentration of the Applied Physiology and Sport Management B.S. It lays the groundwork of human health and fitness, introduces the business principles and skills needed to build bridges within the sports industry, and provides the legal and ethical frameworks of the field. Along the way, students participate in practical internships that prepare them for their careers. 

For those who would like to continue learning, SMU also offers a master’s degree in sport management that is led by industry professionals with decades of executive experience in professional leagues and teams, media, broadcasting, marketing, sponsorship, facilities, equipment and apparel. 

Athletics are a huge part of student life at SMU, which has also been named to Conde Nast Traveler’s list of “The 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America.”


University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

University of Michigan
Michael Barera, University of Michigan (North Campus Diag), CC BY-SA 4.0

The University of Michigan excels in lots of undergraduate and postgraduate fields. It comes as no surprise that Niche.com ranks it the #1 public university in America.

Michigan’s sports management program branches into two concentrations: Sport Marketing & Management or Sport Policy & Analysis. Both tracks include professional internship experiences, which make Michigan students especially attractive to prospective employers. In fact, recent grads reportedly have a 95% job placement rate.

Not only do they secure full-time employment, but they also work in the most competitive areas of the sports industry, such as minor league sports and entertainment. High-profile employers of Michigan grads include the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, Detroit Red Wings, New York Mets, Milwaukee Bucks, Wasserman, ESPN, NCAA, and The New York Times.

Many famous names in sports and sports admin come from U-M: Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, former Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson, and American Basketball Association (ABA) co-founder Richard P. Tinkham.


University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

University of Texas at Austin
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

As an indicator of its competitiveness, the Sport Management major at UT Austin is capped at 150 students.

The program comprises a diverse selection of classes, including Women and Sport, Race and Sport in African American Life, and Physiological Basis of Conditioning.

Like many other schools on this list, UT Austin offers exceptional study abroad opportunities for sports management students. One of them is the Sport, Society, and International Olympic Movement program in Copenhagen, Denmark. Led by UT faculty, the program explores the international political aspects of the Olympics through the Danish Olympic Agency.

UT Austin has educated star athletes and leaders in sports management. NBA MVP Kevin Durant, Masters Tournament winner Jordan Spieth, and Olympic medalists Ian Crocker and Sanya Richards-Ross found their start at UT Austin. Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry and Cowboys co-founder Bedford Wynne also attended.

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What Can You Do With a Communications Degree? 10 Careers & Salaries Revealed https://collegegazette.com/what-can-you-do-with-a-communications-degree-careers-salaries-revealed/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:18:15 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=2053 Communications graduates understand how to communicate information effectively, an ability that is useful in all industries. Their course load includes communication theory, research methods, speech, public relations, and mass media. In addition to background knowledge, they gain highly employable skills from critical thinking to interpersonal communication.  Individuals with a communications degree understand how people send […]

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Communications graduates understand how to communicate information effectively, an ability that is useful in all industries. Their course load includes communication theory, research methods, speech, public relations, and mass media. In addition to background knowledge, they gain highly employable skills from critical thinking to interpersonal communication. 

Individuals with a communications degree understand how people send and receive messages and what factors influence communication. They can apply this knowledge to present company goals in the most precise possible way both within the company and to consumers and clients. This ability is especially useful in fields such as marketing, media, and public relations. However, a communications degree can be used in any company that wants to achieve specific business goals through media or needs effective internal communication.

In today’s world, social media and increasing methods of consuming media has produced even more ways to use a communications degree. Social media platforms have large amounts of audiences who consume content to learn about products and services. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, media and communication occupations are projected to grow 4% over the next decade, adding 46,000 more jobs. This demand is due to an increased need to create, edit, translate, and spread information. In 2019, employees throughout the communications and media industries earned a median salary of $60,000.

Without further ado, here are 10 careers and their salaries that you can find success in with a communications degree.


Journalist

UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Mihaly I. Lukacs, Carroll Hall UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, CC BY-SA 4.0

Journalists are key players in the media industry. They write about a wide range of topics for outlets such as television, the Internet, and newspapers. Depending on their specialty, journalists cover areas from local news to blockbuster movies and national events. They are responsible for researching and learning about a topic, then finding the most effective way to communicate the information. 

While creating their stories, journalists rely on sources to bring a new perspective. They must work with insiders to learn what information they have and maintain working relationships built on trust and communication. These sources add credibility to their writing and make stories more interesting.

Journalists utilize interpersonal skills that they learned through a communications major to cultivate relationships and effectively communicate through writing. They must also be able to persuade editors and other management that their ideas will be well-received by the audience. The average salary for a journalist in the United States is $41,200.


Communications Manager

Communications managers are in charge of internal and external communications within a specific organization. They work to ensure the company messaging is consistent and aligns with the overall mission of the organization. They are responsible for creating engaging press releases, media reports, and marketing content.

Communications managers help to build brand recognition and attract clients and customers. They need strong organizational and communication skills to work with employees across the marketing and PR departments. Managers work to generate new strategies and ensure all content is ready for publication. In addition, communications managers need strong leadership skills to keep their team on track.

As the name suggests, communications graduates are an ideal match as a communications manager. Their experience in communication practices and techniques, along with proven written and verbal skills, make them especially well-suited for the role. Due to their increased responsibilities, communications managers earn an average salary of $66,000.


Advertising Manager

Advertising managers lead the marketing team in creating unique and brand-specific advertisement campaigns. They make sure that all advertising activities are consistent with the company’s message and work towards meeting company goals. Managers are responsible for supervising and collaborating with other employees to complete the project effectively. 

Along with internal communication, advertising managers must work with clients to understand project objectives and expectations. They drive awareness and interest in specific products and services through well-designed advertisements. Advertising employees must be creative, collaborative, and a proven problem-solver. 

Communications majors do well in the advertisement industry due to their in-depth knowledge of the relationship between marketing strategies and public perception. They understand how to drive consumer engagement and promote a brand’s specific message through print and electronic advertisements. Communication experts will collect and analyze data and then present it in the most effective way to various audiences. Advertising managers make an average base salary of $65,000.


Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists help organizations manage their public image through press releases, conferences, and other events. They use other social media platforms to increase public awareness of their specific mission and their work to achieve those goals. PR professionals help attract public attention by working with the media to share engaging stories about their company. 

Along with maintaining a company’s public image from the office, PR specialists attend local activities and events to inform the community about its mission. They are usually good communicators, from speeches to written press releases.

Communications majors are a good fit as a PR specialist due to their background knowledge in effectively communicating information and public perception. Public relations specialists can work with a specific organization or with an agency that serves a broader clientele. PR professionals can also work with government agencies to keep the public informed about government activities and goals. These specialists earn a median annual salary of $61,000.


Human Resources Specialist

Human Resource specialists are responsible for a wide range of internal functions within a company, such as recruitment, orientation, training, company policies, benefits, and company newsletters. They are responsible for presenting important information to the current employees to ensure successful communication between upper management and all employees. 

In addition, they work with prospective hires to make sure they understand the company’s mission and job requirements. HR specialists help employers find qualified candidates who will meet and exceed the company’s needs. They are the bridge between applicants and hiring managers and help organize interviews, offers, and background checks. HR specialists also help communicate with prospective employees to inform them of their candidacy status and necessary next steps.

Those who work in HR need strong public speaking and writing abilities to deliver information throughout the company effectively. Communications majors are a strong fit for this role because they understand the best ways to present information to current and future employees. HR specialists typically make an annual salary of $62,000.


Brand Manager

Brand managers help sell a specific product or service to the public. This is done by analyzing the public perception of their product and adjusting consumer experience, packaging, accessibility, and marketing necessary for effective promotion. Brand managers are also responsible for creating advertising campaigns to improve sales for a specific product. 

The marketing and advertising activities that brand managers perform help to develop the brand’s personality. Factors such as consumer experience and packaging can affect public perception of a specific product. Well-designed campaigns will share the company’s message interestingly and honestly. This brand management helps to drive customer engagement and product sales.

Brand managers must communicate with other sales, marketing, and advertising groups to ensure that the product is well-promoted. Communications majors are trained in evaluating the effectiveness of various marketing techniques, understanding how to analyze consumer reactions. Due to their advertising and communication expertise, brand managers earn an average salary of $71,000.


Event Planner

Successful and engaging events could not happen without the dedicated work of event planners. These workers must understand the overall mission of the company and attract attendees through compelling promotion. Before the event even starts, event planners must promote the event to appeal to the broader public through press releases and exciting descriptions. This advertising can occur through the company website, social media, or other media sources.

Event planners also need strong attention to detail and organizational abilities to ensure that the hosts and attendees have everything they need. This will help the event run smoothly and maintain the reputation of the hosting organization. In addition, the theme and event itself should align with the company’s public image. Event planners resolve any problems as they arise so that the company comes off as professional.

Event planners need strong communication skills to work with vendors, clients, and event attendees to create a successful event. Graduates who study communications understand how to work with the media to promote the event and have strong organizational skills to ensure that it runs smoothly. Event planners earn an average base salary of $50,100 per year.


Announcer

Announcers present music, news, and sports and provide their own individual commentary. These hosts share information through a variety of platforms, including television, radio, and podcasts. Some announcers interview guests about important topics or moderate larger panels of professionals. These presenters need strong public speaking abilities and an engaging personality to keep audiences entertained.

Announcers may also be responsible for other aspects of broadcasting, such as advertising and content editing. Radio and television announcers attract a larger audience through a solid social media presence. These platforms allow another way for them to interact with audiences and promote their specific brand.

Communications majors make good radio or television announcers due to their ability to communicate important information effectively. They also understand factors that influence consumer engagement and ways to bolster views and ratings. Many announcers, along with a communications degree, have experience broadcasting through a college radio or television station. Announcers make a median salary of $34,000.


Social Media Manager

Social media managers understand how to effectively communicate with audiences to attract large numbers of viewers and fans. They are responsible for selecting what content to use and where to post it to promote the company’s brand. They need to present their planned content to their clients effectively and convince customers to contribute honest and personalized reviews. 

In addition, social media planners must have strong writing abilities to promote their organization’s message through social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Social media is less formal than other methods such as press releases, but still needs to get the company’s mission across.

As social media becomes a more popular way of communicating, people who study communications are especially well-suited to social media management jobs. They know how to analyze communication patterns and can confidently use various social media platforms to help organizations promote their messages interestingly and effectively. Social media managers make an average salary of $51,000.


Speechwriter

Speechwriting is the field of creating compelling speeches for others to deliver. They work with a variety of clients, including executives, philanthropists, athletes, and politicians who want to share a streamlined message that will interest audiences. They work with their specific client to develop the overarching message and key talking points.

Because these speeches will be delivered to live guests, these writers must take audience reactions into account. While some speeches are written to convince the audience of something, others thank donors or outline company history. Effective communication is an integral part of speechwriting to share the client’s mission, background, and overall message. 
Experts in communication understand interpersonal communication and how to make a speech stand out. Successful speechwriters will be able to adapt their writing to meet each client’s necessary tone and mindset. Speechwriters make an average base salary of $84,000 due to their specialized communications knowledge.

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The 10 Best Public Relations Schools in the US https://collegegazette.com/best-public-relations-schools/ Tue, 06 Apr 2021 16:57:45 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=1970 What do companies, organizations, and high-profile people have in common? They need to be able to communicate well. Or, at the very least, hire people who can. Navigating the convoluted world of social media, media relations, advertisements, and campaigns is no small task. And the more public it is, the higher the stakes. That’s why […]

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What do companies, organizations, and high-profile people have in common? They need to be able to communicate well. Or, at the very least, hire people who can.

Navigating the convoluted world of social media, media relations, advertisements, and campaigns is no small task. And the more public it is, the higher the stakes.

That’s why an education in public relations is not only essential but extremely valuable. Gone are the days when PR was equivalent to advertising or propaganda. Today, a PR expert is expected to persuade others while maintaining relationships based on trust.

PR professionals wear many hats: writer, marketer, salesperson, designer, data analyst, leader. The best PR programs train students in all these areas to prepare for the dynamic, global nature of the public relations industry. 

Below we highlight 10 of the best PR schools in America. Each one offers a unique combination of academic research, hands-on experience, and career insight from world-class faculty. Graduates of these programs have gone on to high-profile opportunities with leading individuals and corporations.

So if you’re looking for a top-ranked PR program, look no further than these colleges.


Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)

Duquesne University
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

Duquesne University is a top-ranked Catholic college and the only Spiritan institution for higher learning in the U.S.

However, students don’t go to Duquesne just to be in a community of Catholic students (over half of students are non-Catholic.) They come for the university’s excellent strategic public relations and advertising programs. 

Students can major in PR, advertising, or both. They learn to apply theories to modern life, including how cultural variation can influence how a piece of media is received.

Duquesne prepares students for a wide range of PR careers, from account management to media to creative services to public affairs. Classes are offered in all these fields and more.

Due to the strength of the media department, Duquesne has produced alumni in successful media professions. Journalist John Clayton wrote and reported for ESPN for over 25 years. Faculty member and journalist Mike Dillon profiled author Norman Mailer, music icon Tony Bennett, and football star Johnny Unitas.


Biola University (La Mirada, CA)

Biola is a private Christian university where students are especially fortunate to study PR. The school’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter was named a “Star Chapter” in 2013, a prestigious distinction given to less than 10% of PRSSA chapters.

Furthermore, Biola students run 6th Street PR. The full-service PR agency plans both on and off-campus  PR campaigns and is one of the “most accomplished and successful student-run firms.”

Biola’s studio facilities also make it possible to gain hands-on experience. The conference room is a collaborative workspace for students and clients, and over 1,000 pieces of equipment are available for rent, including cameras and microphones.

The Torrey Honors Program allows students to take their PR education to the next level. Discussion-based courses and leadership opportunities poise students to serve some of the most influential people and organizations upon graduation.


University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

University of Florida
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

PR students at UF’s College of Journalism and Communications learn all aspects of effective communication, including writing, reporting, ethics, research, and media.

They receive a well-rounded education balancing concepts and hard skills, preparing them for careers in business, PR firms, government, and nonprofits.

UF students can also pursue combined degrees: a B.S. in Public Relations and M.A. in Mass Communication. Students can apply up to 12 graduate credits to their undergraduate program, reducing the time it takes to earn both degrees.

UF is consistently top-ranked for its education in public relations. Alumni of the journalism school include Al Burt, a longtime Miami Herald journalist, and Sharyl Attkisson, Emmy Award-winning TV correspondent.


Emerson College (Boston, MA)

Emerson College
John Phelan, Emerson College, Boston MA, CC BY 3.0

Emerson College was founded in 1880 as a “school of oratory.” It has stayed true to these roots by growing into a leading liberal arts institution for communication and the arts.

This includes an excellent program for public relations. Emerson teaches students the art (and science) of persuasion through combining data analytics and storytelling.

Students can choose from a B.S. or the 4+1 B.S. and M.A. track, which awards students with a master’s in public relations after only one additional year of study.

Emerson is a small private school, with a student to faculty ratio of 13:1.

Notable alumni include photographer and TV producer Patricia Alvarado Nunez, online media personality Veronica Belmont, and The Simpsons writer John Frink.


California Baptist University (Riverside, CA)

According to Niche.com, CBU ranks top 5 in the country for the best college campus and best food.

CBU is also home to a stellar PR program, which trains students in all aspects of communication. They learn the written, verbal, and visual components of persuasion through real work with nonprofit organizations, corporations, government, and media organizations.

Students who major in PR choose a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communication, International Public Relations, Media Relations and Writing, New Media, or Strategic Communication and Planning. Alternatively, the Public Relations minor offers a condensed course of study in the field.

Like many religious colleges, CBU emphasizes service-oriented learning in every field of study, including PR.

Prominent alumni include California State assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and Switchfoot guitarist Drew Shirley.


University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications
Linzl, Wallis Annenberg Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0

The USC Annenberg School of Communications prepares PR students to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry.

Both undergraduate and graduate programs for public relations are top-ranked nationally and internationally. This is in large part thanks to its world-class faculty, which is made up of professionals with firsthand PR experience.

Fred Cook chairs the PR firm Golin, where he worked with high-profile people like Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs. Cook also managed Nintendo, Toyota, and Disney. Today, he also serves as the director of the USC Center for Public Relations.

Jennifer Floto practiced PR with big-name clients like Acura, Mattel, and Xerox. She continues to consult along with her teaching duties, which won her the 2006 “Professor of the Year” award and 2012 Mellon Mentoring Award.


Penn State University (State College, PA)

Penn State University
Stilfehler, Penn State University Huck Institute of the Life Sciences 6, CC BY-SA 4.0

At Penn State in University Park, students learn the theories and practices underpinning the dynamic field of public relations.

Combining persuasive storytelling with principles from business, behavioral sciences, and applied statistics, students graduate being able to hit the ground running. They are prepared for the competitive, technological, and multicultural environment of a PR role.

Minors are available in related fields such as Media Studies and Digital Media Trends & Analytics. Those who major in PR often minor in English, foreign language, business, psychology, or sociology in order to supplement their understanding of human relationships.

Notable alumni include Jayne Jamison, senior vice president and publisher of O, the Oprah Magazine. Alumni and faculty Bjorn Trowery works as the Consumer Communications Manager at Facebook.


American University (Washington, DC)

American University
Herrperry123, Eric Freidheim Quadrangle, CC BY-SA 4.0

Like many schools located in Washington, D.C., American University excels at public and global affairs education. AU’s Christian roots have also fueled its public service and social justice values.

In addition to learning hard and soft skills related to PR, students also take history and economics courses for a broader view of the PR industry.

Like Emerson and UF, PR students at AU can pursue combined degrees, whereby they earn both B.A and M.A. in less time.

AU faculty have a combination of scholarly and practical experience in PR. Khaldoun AbouAssi’s research has appeared in journals such as Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly and the International Journal of Public Administration. He also worked over 12 years in public and nonprofit organizations in the Middle East.

Famous alumni include Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio, and TV personality Judge Judy.


Drake University (Des Moines, IA)

Drake University
Picture Des Moines, Drake University Entrance, CC BY 2.0

Drake University’s undergraduate public relations program is one of only 40 other programs around the world that have received the elite Certification in Education for Public Relations (CEPR).

The rigor of a Drake education reflects that distinction. In their senior year, PR students collaborate with peers to create a multimedia campaign for local nonprofits. This capstone project will serve as a portfolio asset and prepare graduates for PR positions across both private and public sectors.

Drake faculty have diverse PR experiences around the world. Eric Kwame Adae worked a variety of PR roles in Ghana and currently conducts research on the intersections between conservationism, social justice, and corporate activism. Kelly Bruhn conducted award-winning campaigns for Verizon as well as many nonprofit organizations.

Drake has produced many prominent politicians, including four Iowa governors and 10 U.S. Representatives of Iowa.


Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University Newhouse School
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse School Syracuse Univ, CC BY-SA 4.0

Syracuse joins Drake on the exclusive list of PR programs that have won recognition from the CEPR. It ranks #1 on U.S. News’s list of best graduate programs for public affairs.

As one of the earliest PR programs in the nation, Syracuse teaches students the fundamentals of writing, speaking, and presenting that define consummate PR professionals. With the help of Syracuse partner PAN Communications — a national integrated marketing and PR agency — students will have a full online portfolio to present to prospective employers by graduation.

At Syracuse, students will learn directly from today’s best PR professionals. Christopher Cathcart has over 30 years of experience at major media companies like CNN/Turner Broadcasting, Motown Records, and Warner Bros. Television. Gary Grates’s 25+ years of experience has led him to consult with over 100 CEOs and organizations, including PepsiCo, Shell, Kraft, eBay, and Pfizer.

Notable alumni of Syracuse include President Joe Biden, pioneer astronaut Eileen Collins, and Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Bob Costas.

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The 10 Best Colleges for Communications in the US https://collegegazette.com/the-10-best-colleges-for-communications-in-the-us/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:55:50 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=1867 According to the National Communication Association’s Executive Director, Trevor Giles, “A communications degree is broadly situated to take on a number of different kinds of positions.” These positions exist in the private and public worlds, from speech writer to event planner, producer to podcast host, journalist to policy-maker. Communications majors study how humans send and […]

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According to the National Communication Association’s Executive Director, Trevor Giles, “A communications degree is broadly situated to take on a number of different kinds of positions.” These positions exist in the private and public worlds, from speech writer to event planner, producer to podcast host, journalist to policy-maker.

Communications majors study how humans send and receive messages, and how those messages are interpreted. Messages can be read in print, seen on a screen, or heard live in a speech; these messages may be carried over the Internet and viewed by millions of people. Changes in communications happen quickly, and colleges prepare communications majors to stay current with these trends.

Where do the future leaders of these communication fields receive the best education?  Where can students combine hands-on experience with student-centered learning from expert professors?

For this list today, we are looking at 10 amazing communications schools with outstanding faculty, student accomplishments and awards, opportunities for on-campus communications training (e.g., student newspapers), and alumni placement into the industry. 

Here are College Gazette’s picks for 10 of the best colleges for communications majors in the US.


Villanova University (Villanova, PA)

Villanova University
abbike18, Corr Hall, CC BY-SA 3.0

Located less than 20 miles from Philadelphia, Villanova University offers communication majors numerous opportunities for student-centered learning. World-class professors combine with over a century of communications experience to make Villanova a must-see for any prospective communications major.

Opportunities for communications majors include writing for The Villanovan, the university’s recognized and accredited student-run newspaper, which publishes 12 issues per semester at 6500 copies per issue. The newspaper has run continually since its founding in 1916.  

Additionally, there is a bi-weekly publication called The Villanova Times, recognized by the Collegiate Network in 2009. TVT is entirely student-organized and published by communications majors. Yet another publication, The Belle Air Yearbook, has been student-run for nearly 100 years. Villanova students have won national awards and honorable mentions for their yearbooks from a number of organizations, including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

Villanova also has its own student-run television and radio stations, where communication majors learn production techniques by creating original content. Radio station WXVU can be heard at 89.1 FM and globally via the Internet, while television station WVTV keeps Villanova informed on current events, politics, and campus news.  

Howie Long, NFL player and Fox NFL Sunday host, is an alumni of the Villanova communications program.


Northwestern University School of Communication (Evanston, IL)

Northwestern University
Smandlso, The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, CC BY-SA 4.0

Historically, Northwestern’s communications program has been among the most accomplished in the entire world, having graduated many of the world’s most famous personalities. Some of these alumni include Stephen Colbert, Warren Beatty, and award-winning actress Heather Headley, among many others.

Whereas many other communications programs have a focus on production, journalism, and broadcasting, Northwestern’s numerous specializations in communications include performing arts, designing digital media, speech-language pathology, and more. This all said, Northwestern’s communications program does also include a more traditional education in television, film, and radio.

Faculty in Northwestern’s communications program include Todd Rosenthal, a Tony-award winning scenic designer, Anna Shapiro, director of the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre, and Dilip Gaonkar, the director of Northwestern’s Center for Global Culture and Communication.


Boston University College of Communication (Boston, MA)

Boston University College of Communication
Fletcher6, BU College of Communication, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Boston University College of Communications offers several Bachelor of Science degrees in specific areas of communications. A college situated on the banks of the Charles River, Boston University and its students benefit from the urban opportunities afforded to them in a city brimming with professional media companies.

At Boston University, communications students can work toward degrees that specialize in advertising, media, film and television, and public relations.

Student-run radio station WTBU was named College Station of the Year twice in a row by the College Radio Awards in New York City. This radio station broadcasts 20 hours a day from the third floor of BU’s College of Communications, programming sports and news topics as spun by its students.

Two of the College of Communication’s best experiential offerings are the AdLab and PRLab, student-run initiatives focused on providing students real-world communications experience while in college. Faithfully accomplishing this mission, the AdLab and PRLab provide both paid and pro bono communications services to Boston area businesses and nonprofit organizations.


University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication (Philadelphia, PA)

Located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, UPenn was founded by Benjamin Franklin and is one of the Ivy League colleges. UPenn, as a whole, was ranked 8th in the country by US News and World Report Rankings, and 6th by Washington Monthly for 2020.  

UPenn’s resources for communications students are virtually endless. Over one-dozen research centers & labs sponsored through the Annenberg Communications program are available for students and faculty alike. One of these facilities, the Annenberg Public Policy Center, helps journalists, aspiring content creators, and policy-makers understand how media interacts with their profession.

With its advantageous Philadelphia location, the University of Pennsylvania provides communications students with opportunities in and out of the classroom. Through the school’s Annenberg Creative initiative, students get the chance to study Virtual reality simulation, storytelling through podcasting, and more.


Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)

Wake Forest University
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

Communications majors at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, attend the College of Arts and Sciences. The communications department has three affiliated programs in studio communication, debate, and filmmaking. Communications majors contribute to “Wake Studios,” a YouTube channel containing daily news (The Wake Take), student-run films, and college-produced documentaries.

The communications majors also run the debate team, which holds the Franklin R Shirley Classic College Debate Tournament on campus each fall. Colleges and universities come to Wake Forest from all over the country to compete. This nationally recognized debate event was named for the founder of the communications department at WFU.  

Affiliated with the communications department is the Wake Forest Documentary Film Program. A graduate program, students pursuing a Master’s degree here learn how to craft compelling documentary films through classes in cinematography, production, storytelling, and more. One alum of this program, Hillary Pierce, has had work featured in the Sundance Film Festival.


University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (Los Angeles, CA)

University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications
Linzl, Wallis Annenberg Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0

This unique combination of schools at USC offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in both communication and journalism, and a Ph.D. in communications. The graduate program is rated #1 in QS World University Rankings out of all US schools. All of this is for a good reason; many quality opportunities exist at USC Annenberg for hands-on experience.  

The television studio that produces Annenberg TV News live is student-run, boasting a professional level, three-camera broadcast studio with an Adobe lab. In addition to the television studio opportunities, students also run a daily newspaper called the Daily Trojan and an online news publication called the Neon Timmy.  

Students manage an in-house public relations firm that works with non-profit organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Additionally, overseas fellowships are available for communications majors, taking students to the London School for Economics as well as Hong Kong, Amsterdam, or Cape Town.  


DePaul University College of Communication (Chicago, IL)

DePaul University
Kris Gallagher, StudentCenterDePaul, CC BY-SA 3.0

In 2020, Radio DePaul was named Best College Station in the Nation by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. This radio station is run by none other than students of the DePaul College of Communication, one of the country’s best schools for this unique major. Radio DePaul’s podcast, aptly called The Radio DePaul Podcast, won the College Association Pinnacle Award in 2016. 

Besides Radio DePaul, one exciting opportunity students can participate in is The DePaulia. A newspaper printed every Monday during the school year and available online, both versions are produced by communications majors. Content in the newspaper is a perfect replica of what students can expect when working for a professional newspaper, with news, sports, arts, and politics as major themes of the journal.

Alumni of DePaul’s communications program have found success in the highest echelons of media, including employment at MSNBC, Deloitte, Accenture, and more.


Emerson College School of Communication (Boston, MA)

Emerson College
John Phelan, Emerson College, Boston MA, CC BY 3.0

Emerson’s School of Communication may have everything a prospective student is looking for in a communications degree: faculty with newsroom experience, state-of-the-art broadcast facilities, and comprehensive programs as varied as public relations, journalism, sports communication, and more. Additionally, Emerson communications students have access to Emerson Los Angeles, the campus’s new LA location providing internships with major production companies and studios.

Emerson is home to a number of initiatives powerfully contributing to the education of communications students at this school. One of these is Emerson Launch, a mentorship program for aspiring entrepreneurs at the college. In this “startup bootcamp,” students meet with faculty mentors through every stage of a company’s launch, from inception to profitability.

Students in this program are hardly just academicians; rather, current students are among the most accomplished of any communications program’s student body. They include a student running for State Representative, another serving a fellowship in Ireland, and yet another is working on a baseball podcast with foundation sponsorship.


Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University Newhouse School
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse-School-Syracuse-Univ, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Newhouse School of Public Communications is home to one of the most exciting programs in any communications school, the Bandier Program in Recording and Entertainment Industries. This distinctive major is actually about helping students succeed in the music business! Here, students gain music business internship opportunities and even gain access to Bandier’s extensive alumni network, assisting students in gaining career opportunities after graduation.

Outside of the Bandier program, The Newhouse School houses one of the country’s best journalism programs. Officially dubbed “Broadcast and Digital Journalism,” students in the program produce broadcasts, report newsworthy events, and even learn the elements of videography. In the Society of Professional of Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Awards, Newhouse students took home the top prize in six distinct categories.   

Another unique communications program at Newhouse is Graphic Design. This award-winning program introduces students to print, media, and emerging communications fields, like augmented reality and voice-driven products. Recent alumni from this program include Emm Comtois (2019), a user experience (UX) designer for Amazon Alexa.


Elon University School of Communications (Elon, NC)

Elon University
Elon University, Elon University, CC BY 2.0

The School of Communications at Elon University boasts several high-level concentrations relevant to nearly any prospective communications major, including film/television, media writing, and even a Master’s degree program in Interactive Media. 

Elon University helps place students into careers they care about, with 92% of the class of 2019 finding a position related to their major within one year of graduation

Perhaps one reason Elon University Communications graduates are so successful is the sheer amount of resources dedicated to communications at Elon. In 2017, construction was completed on a 105,000 square foot communications complex, complete with four buildings, a 220-seat theater with digital surround sound, a 1.4 million pixel video wall, classrooms, student engagement suites, and more. 

At the centerpiece of the communications complex is Elon University’s Schar Hall, a two-story 45,000 square foot edifice housing the Kanarick Media Sandbox as well as the Live Oak Communications, the student-run advertising agency. 
Alumni of the Elon Communications program have found work in major media companies, including NBC, PBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, Jet.com, the Houston Chronicle, and countless others.

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Discover the 10 Best Colleges for Journalism In the US https://collegegazette.com/discover-the-10-best-colleges-for-journalism-in-the-us/ Mon, 30 Sep 2019 11:44:19 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=121 Believe it or not, journalism is perhaps the most desired major in the country for today’s millennial to pursue. After all, we see journalism school graduates ascend the ranks of top media institutions, making their livings as writers, news analysts, reporters, announcers, correspondents, editors, and more. Where do you think the top writers of the […]

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Believe it or not, journalism is perhaps the most desired major in the country for today’s millennial to pursue.

After all, we see journalism school graduates ascend the ranks of top media institutions, making their livings as writers, news analysts, reporters, announcers, correspondents, editors, and more.

Where do you think the top writers of the New York Times went? Where do you think the most-beloved authors of the Huffington Post, Boston Globe, and more got their first-rate writing educations?

Sure, many journalists and writers have all sorts of backgrounds.

However, there is a common theme: the top journalism professionals usually attend a top school for journalism.

So you may be asking: what is the outcome of pursuing a major such as this? As you can gather, journalism programs give students the tools to be influential to a populace consuming entertainment and news from any kind of media.

In the United States alone, there are so many good schools for journalism whose alumni are working at top media corporations. Very few of these schools, however, can claim to be at the very best in their fields.

For this list, we aggregated seven of the most widely read top 10 lists online for the top journalism schools. For each list, we assigned a score to each school in the top 10 list based on its positional ranking, then created a list based on this outcome. Sources are at the end of this piece.

Here are the top 10 colleges for journalism in the US, as well three amazing honorable mention programs:

10. Boston University College of Communication (Boston, MA)

Boston University
Public domain photo by Robmyskis via Wikimedia Commons

Location in one of the nation’s great metropolitan areas, Boston University is one of the best schools in the country for journalism.

A highlight of the program is their Washington Journalism Center; for a single semester, students can study journalism in the nation’s capital, Washington DC.

This opportunity is especially good for students desiring entry into political news, opinion, and analysis, as the program is connected with national news organizations profiling Congress.

The school is also home to the New England Center for Investigative Reporting (NECIR-BU) whose mission is to train journalists for in-depth investigative research. The reporting done at NECIR-BU has reached millions worldwide.

The program offers a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and even a minor in journalism.


9. University of North Carolina School of Media and Journalism (Chapel Hill, NC)

University of North Carolina
BrianMKA, UNC – Carroll Hall, CC BY-SA 3.0

UNC is one of the most well-known schools for prize-winning students. One coveted accolade in particular, known as the Hearst Journalism award, have been awarded more times to students of UNC than any other school in the country.

One common myth of attending college for journalism is not finding gainful employment upon successful graduation. This myth is easily debunked for alumni of this program; the class of 2016 reported well over 90% of alumni were employed or enrolled in Master’s degree or equivalent programs.

The program at UNC can only be described multi-dimensional; students can take classes in advertising, public relations, sports marketing, graphic design, radio, politics, business journalism, and dozens of more broadcasting-related subjects.

With a combination of “labs” and opportunities, the School of Media and Journalism, more often known as the “MJ” school, is exceptionally hands-on.

With over 24 clubs and student organizations in the MJ school alone, students are provided unparalleled opportunity to participate in newscasts, papers, design studios, and more.

Students of the school are exceptionally accomplished – one graduate of the Class of 2018, Doni Holloway, was named Student Journalist of the Year by NABJ, the National Association of Black Journalists.


HONORABLE MENTION: University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Iowa City, IA)

The University of Iowa is home to some of the most intriguing journalism personalities working in academia today.

Professor Stephen G. Bloom, a widely published writer and journalist, has had works appear in the most significant of news sources, including the New York Times and Washington Post. His politically-infused work has garnered significant national acclaim.

Another faculty member, Meenakshi Durham, is a noted expert journalist in the fields of gender, race, and women’s studies.

One of the cornerstones of the journalism experience at this school is the school’s newspaper, The Daily Iowan.

Rated as one of the best student newspapers in the country, this paper covers all matters related to University of Iowa as well as news relevant to the greater Iowa community.

In association with the Daily Iowan is the Daily Iowan TV, where students gain significant chops in experiencing broadcasting six days a week.

Alumni of the school ascend the ranks of excellence, having won Pulitzer, Peabody, and Emmy awards.


8. University of Georgia Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication (Athens, GA)

University of Georgia
Ugastudent, Grady’s Front Lawn, CC BY-SA 4.0

Speaking of the Peabody award, the nation’s most heralded accolade for electronic journalism, is housed at the University of Georgia, widely regarded as one of the top journalism schools worldwide.

Some of the nation’s most accomplished journalists graduated from the University of Georgia; they include Fox Sports broadcaster Chip Caray, ESPN analyst Maria Taylor, and even Ryan Seacrest, one of the most recognizable television hosts today.

Students can choose from one of three major concentrations at the Henry W. Grady College: journalism, advertising, and public relations. Within these three concentrations, a number of topics are covered, including media innovation, entrepreneurship, and photojournalism.

The program is quite selective and only available to students who have graduated their sophomore year at the University of Georgia.


7. Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse, NY)

Syracuse University
DASonnenfeld, Newhouse-School-Syracuse-Univ-2014, CC BY-SA 4.0

Syracuse University is home to one of most intriguing, forward-thinking journalism programs in the country.

One attractive element of this major is its partnership with ESPN covering ACC sports. In this partnership, a special program called ACC Network Extra airs on WatchESPN, the official app of ESPN.

This unique program gives students the opportunity to cover ACC games live from the school’s studios.

The school’s faculty is not simply comprised of academics; rather, the school prides itself on having experienced teachers guide students. Broadcasters who have reported live, corresponded internationally, and managed newsroom teams make up the core of the school’s faculty.

One of the best programs in the world for, alumni of the college have obtained jobs in CBS, CNN, ESPN, and Comcast.


6. University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication (Los Angeles, CA)

University of Southern California
Bobak Ha’Eri, 052707-021-USCAnnenberg, CC BY 3.0

The heart of USC’s Annenberg program is their media center, a hub of activity comprising TV and radio studios as well as other modern journalism technologies.

One of the best opportunities at USC is to study with some of the pre-eminent scholars and journalists of Los Angeles, one of the nation’s top media capitals alongside NYC and DC.

Faculty at the school include Pulitzer-prize winning authors and reporters, as well DuPont and Emmy awardees.

At any given time, the school has about 300 undergraduate students in their program. In 2016 alone, about 40% of all the undergraduate students were participating in an internship, demonstrating how well connected this particular program is to real-world news media outlets.


HONORABLE MENTION: Emerson College (Boston, MA)

Establishing the nation’s first undergraduate broadcasting degree all the way back in 1937, Emerson has become one of the foremost institutions for 21st century journalism in the world.

Located in the heart of downtown Boston, Emerson is focused on tutoring the ethical journalist to produce news for the 21st century media outlets, including stories print, digital, and video means.

Emerson is home to one of the most impressive facilities in the country for news creation based in any college, the Journalism Production Center.

This impressive center is outfitted with all the modern technology required to run a modern television production studio.

Alumni of the school are placed into the top publications worldwide. Some recent positions attained include Correspondent for The Boston Globe, News Associate for NBC, Producer for the Red Sox, and Assistant Producer for Inside Edition.


5. Arizona State University Cronkite School of Journalism (Phoenix, AZ)

Arizona State University
Schwnj, ASUDowntown1, CC BY-SA 3.0

Perhaps the top school in the country for journalism, ASU’s Cronkite School is perhaps the most impressive training center for 21st century news media in all forms.

What we like about the school is its focus on immersion. One example of “immersion learning” at ASU is Arizona PBS, a media outlet larger than any other in the world held within a university.

This news source reaches an astonishing 1.9 million people over three television stations.

Students and faculty in the Cronkite School of Journalism run the school’s Cronkite News, a media operation of digital journalism and broadcasting stationed in Phoenix, Washington, and Los Angeles.

The program is hardly for the student who only want to read books and write papers on media and theory.

Rather, as you can see, this school is exceptionally hands-on in its approach to fostering tomorrow’s broadcasting & journalism professionals.

The school is noted for its high performance at the Hearst Awards, perhaps the most prestigious award for journalism in the world.

In the past 16 years, the school consistently places in the top 10 nationally; frequently, they receive first and second place prizes.

The future of the school is bright, with the recent launch of the Howards Center for Investigative Journalism, a hands-on institution awarding Master’s degrees for students wanting to dive into the genre of watchdog journalism.

Alumni of the school are major contributors to the most reputed publications worldwide.


4. Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA)

Stanford University
Jrissman, Stanford Campus Aerial Photo, CC BY 3.0

A graduate-degree only granting institution for journalism, Stanford is perhaps the most prestigious graduate program worldwide in journalism.

Based in Silicon Valley, the program is particularly noted for its data-driven approach to storytelling.

Indeed, students of the program are tasked with learning Python and coding software, as well as more traditional media tools like Final Cut Pro X.

The location in Silicon Valley also leads to unique student projects profiling life in America’s tech center. Here’s one piece produced from Stanford students outlining communities in transition as new tech campuses are being constructed.

Within 40 miles of Stanford are many tech companies: these include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pandora, Google, Netflix, and more.

Needless to say, a student interested in covering the latest on big tech companies (e.g. such as a TechCrunch type website) may benefit tremendously from an education in Palo Alto.


3. University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication (Austin, TX)

UT Austin
AdrienWikipedia, University of Texas at Austin Fountain and Tower, CC BY-SA 4.0

Perhaps the South’s finest program for journalism in the United States, UT-Austin consistently scores highly on all the top college journalism lists, ranking in the top 10 on nearly every list we sourced to create this list.

A hallmark of the UT-Austin program is its partnership with the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas.

At the Knight Center, students can participate in programs in Latin America, doing a study abroad for a whole semester.

Two NPR affiliate radio stations, KUT and KUTX, are operated at UT-Austin and run primarily by students at the school.

Alumni of the school are among the most active in journalism today; Pulitzer and Emmy winners have come from UT-Austin.


HONORABLE MENTION: Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY)

Kenneth C. Zirkel, Job Hall, Ithaca College campus, CC BY-SA 4.0

Equipped with perhaps the best college newsroom set in the country, Ithaca has one of the very best programs in Journalism in the country.

The faculty at the school are particularly unique in the landscape of college journalism.

Professor Mead Loop, one of the noted professors of the program, is an expert in the niche of fantasy sports journalism.

Another professor, Journalism Department Chair James Rada, is a renowned expert on race and the civil rights movement.

Alumni of the program have gone onto jobs in the New York Times and ESPN. Others have started their own publications, including one entrepreneurial alumnus who started his own online local publication.

One of the media outlets the school hosts is the The Ithacan newspaper, an impressive publication that has been in operation since 1931.

Students in the Journalism program contribute to this highly ranked newspaper, which was named the Best Overall College Newspaper by the New York Press Association.

The school is noted for the excellence of its radio station, rated a top 10 college radio station in the country by Princeton Review.


2. University of Missouri School of Journalism (Columbia, MO)

University of Missouri
Public domain photo by Mojourcomm via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most prestigious journalism programs in the world, the University of Missouri School of Journalism prides itself on providing students hands-on opportunity to dive into the world of broadcasting and journalism known as the “Missouri Method.”

The school itself is home to eight media companies, including two full-service, done-for-you advertising agencies, AdZou and Mojo Ad, a publication founded in 1908 called The Columbia Missourian, and even a modern magazine available in both print and online called Vox Magazine.

One impressive facility this school houses is the Reynolds Journalism Institute. This facility, launched in 2004 under the auspices of a $31,000,000.00 grant, is dedicated researching new journalism methods and technologies.

The program even hosts the “Futures Lab,” an interdisciplinary program in which business, journalism, and computer science come together to test new methods of media and communication.

Alumni of the program include John Anderson, Sportscenter Anchor for ESPN, at least four Pulitzer-Prize winning journalists/writers, and hosts for Fox News, CNN, and CBS News.


1. Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications (Evanston, IL)

Northwestern University
Madcoverboy at English Wikipedia, Northwestern University Evanston campus, CC BY-SA 3.0

Northwestern University, as a whole, is a very appealing school due to its top-15 overall status as a university in the country.

Because of this ranking, many say that Medill is the most prestigious undergraduate journalism program in the country, as well as one of the best graduate programs worldwide.

It is also a Big Ten school, giving it a classic “university” vibe desirable for both undergraduates and graduates alike.

Some of the most recognizable faces in journalism and media started their careers in Northwestern’s program. One such alumnus is J.A. Adande, a 1992 graduate who has been heard by millions on ESPN for nearly a decade. He is now a professor at Northwestern.

Another “star” alum is Sheinelle Jones, an anchor for NBC’s “Today Show.”

Perhaps their most famous alum is George R.R. Martin, author of the acclaimed Game of Thrones books.

One of the highlights of Northwestern’s program is the opportunity for global study-abroad. Northwestern has partnered with news organizations in Qatar, South Argentina, and South Africa. Through this partnership, students work abroad for a semester here.

With one of the largest alumni bases for any journalism school, Medill’s reach is powered by 16,000 alumni. At any time, the program has nearly 1300 students spread out over 5 campuses.


For this list, we aggregated seven of highest-trafficked top-10 lists in the country.

Read more about our methodology here.

Here are the lists, sourced in the first week of August, 2019.

https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-communications/

https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-journalism-schools-2019/

https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/rankings/top-ranked/

https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-journalism-schools

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-journalism-schools-newspro-ranking_n_4490649

https://www.degreequery.com/best-journalism-schools/

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2018/communication-media-studies

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