How to find and evaluate Journalism programs </p>
<p>As a working journalist, I’m often asked “Which colleges are best for journalism?” The truth is, there are many fine schools if you’re interested in becomming a journalist. The secret, of course, if figuring out which school is the right one for you, your interests and your needs. </p>
<p>Let’s start by discussing some of the different options. What type of job do you picture yourself in after graduation? Would you like to work as a reporter or editor for a newspaper or a magazine? Maybe you’d like to be in front of the camera as a news broadcaster? Or, if sports are your passion, perhaps you’d like to become a sports journalist. Other related careers include: public relations, advertising, and business writing. If you have no idea what type of journalism you’re interested in, that’s OK, but if you have a specific goal, it’s important to look for programs that offer specialized training in that particular type of journalism or related field.</p>
<p>What’s the difference between majoring in journalism or majoring in communications?
It depends on the school. Sometimes, there can be very little difference. Generally, however, a major in communication tends to focus more on the theories behind how people and societies communicate, rather than on “hands on” skills such as writing, interviewing, and editing. It is important to take a close look at the classes offered and the focus of the program when looking at a commmunications major. Some communications programs are focused more on preparing students to do graduate level work in communications theory than they are on preparing students to find jobs as journalists. Finally, keep in mind that it is not absolutely necessary to major in either journalism or communicatons if you want to work in journalism. Other majors - when combined with work in campus media or journalism-related internships - can also be a foundation for a career in journalism.</p>
<p>When looking at any journalism or communications program, there are a few important questions to ask to help you evaluate the program’s quality and how well it will prepare you to find a job after graduation:</p>
<p>Is the curriculum emphasis on actual “real world” journalism skills or on communications theory (i.e., “mass communications”) </p>
<p>What percentage of the faculty has “real world” experience, i.e., they’ve actually been journalists or in communications? (You want a program where a higher percentage have experience and working knowledge, not just theoretical knowledge)</p>
<p>What opportunities are there to work in on campus media? (At some schools, getting a reporter or editor position at the student newspaper or radio station can be very competitive)</p>
<p>How up to date is the equipment in the program? (Esp. important if you are interested in broadcast journalism) Are the facilities adequate for the number of majors? (If you never get into use the facilities because they’re tied up for grad students, they won’t help you)</p>
<p>How many opportunities are there for internships? How many students actually do internships? Is it realistic to combine an internship with the level of academic effort required? How do you get internships? </p>
<p>What size are the classes? How much writing and editing do you actually do in the classes? How good are the professors at giving you feedback about your writing and editing?</p>
<p>What is the career placement office like? Does the journalism program have its own career placement/advising program or do you go through the school’s “general” career office? Where did last year’s graduates end up working immediately after graduation? Where do alumni work?</p>
<p>So, how do you track down good schools for journalism? Start by looking over the 140 colleges and universities that have programs accredited by The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications </p>
<p>I promised a list of what I consider the best undergraduate journalism programs in the country. Here it is, in no particular order: University of Missouri-Columbia, Syracuse University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, Boston University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, New York University, University of Oregon, Indiana University, U of Maryland-College Park, Ithaca College, Emerson College, Washington and Lee University, U of Wisconsin-Madison, Pepperdine University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas-Austin. Other excellent journalism and communications programs include: Susquehanna University, Muhlenberg College, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara University, Loyola University (Maryland), Simmons College, San Diego State University, Temple, American University, the University of Pennsylvania, Creighton University, Marquette University, Villanova University, and Ohio University. Please note: this list is not all inclusive; there are many, many other excellent programs out there as well!