Journalism Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Journalism major teaches you to report, write and produce news across print, broadcast and digital media. Journalism majors learn reporting, news writing, editing, media law and ethics, and multimedia storytelling.

A Journalism major includes coursework in news reporting and writing, editing, media law and ethics, multimedia storytelling, and data journalism and more. You build skills such as interviewing, writing on deadline, fact-checking, and video and audio editing. Typical degrees: bachelor's and master's degrees.

Typical courses include news reporting and writing, editing, media law and ethics, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and broadcast journalism. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Journalism is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 31 colleges reported certificate awards, 94 colleges reported associate awards, 305 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 58 colleges reported master’s awards, and 5 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to journalism include journalist, editor, writer, proofreader, broadcast announcer, photographer, and producer and director. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include journalist (typical training: 4 years), editor (typical training: Writing experience plus on-the-job learning), writer (typical training: Years of practice), proofreader (typical training: Short on-the-job training), broadcast announcer (typical training: Degree plus station experience), and photographer (typical training: 6 months–2 years).

Journalism majors build skills such as interviewing, writing on deadline, fact-checking, video and audio editing, and research.

Good pairings include Political Science (helps you cover government and policy), Data Analytics (supports data-driven reporting), and Digital Media (strengthens video and audio storytelling).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as journalist, editor, and writer, and enjoy subjects like news reporting and writing and editing. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes news reporting and writing, editing, and media law and ethics; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

416 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (82), New York (34), Texas (20), Pennsylvania (18), and Illinois (17), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

367 of the colleges that offer journalism also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Journalism teaches you to report, write and produce news across print, broadcast and digital media. Communications studies how people create, share and interpret messages in person and through media. Journalism leads to careers such as journalist and editor, while Communications leads to careers such as public relations specialist and technical writer.

Journalism teaches you to report, write and produce news across print, broadcast and digital media. Public Relations and Advertising studies how organizations build their reputation and persuade audiences. Journalism leads to careers such as journalist and editor, while Public Relations and Advertising leads to careers such as public relations specialist and public relations manager.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to journalism, such as Journalist Training.