Program Overview

Journalism Program

The Journalism program at Miami University is designed to develop the skills of clear, powerful communication about issues that matter. Students learn how to research and verify information, separate fact from fiction, write clearly, and create compelling content across digital and multimedia platforms.

Program Description

Students majoring in Journalism, B.A. at Miami University develop essential skills for success in today's knowledge-driven careers. The program encourages students to think beyond just their Journalism major by requiring a second major or a minor outside of the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film.

Curriculum and Courses

Journalism majors complete 14 courses over four years, learning from a faculty with deep experience in the newsroom and the classroom. Some of the courses offered include:

• JRN 101 Journalism and American Life
• JRN 201 News Writing & Reporting I
• JRN 303 Multimedia Journalism
• JRN 340 Internship
• JRN 343 Sports Reporting and Writing
• JRN 412 Data Journalism
• JRN 421 Capstone in Journalism

Learning Outcomes

The program aims to help students achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Recognize and develop news stories, keying on the so-called Five Ws (who, what, where, when, why and how), and to gather information that is factual, relevant, timely, thorough and valuable to a broad audience
• Write news stories in the Inverted Pyramid style, crafting concise and compelling leads, constructing stories with facts ordered from most to least important, and incorporating transitional language between facts to provide a coherent whole
• Identify and write news stories about issues that require deeper reporting and more nuanced writing, incorporating such narrative non-fiction techniques as anecdotes, scenes, descriptive passages and dialogue
• Conduct quantitative research and analysis, and effectively incorporate the results of that work into stories about newsworthy topics of public importance

Career Options

Journalism graduates seek careers in many areas, including:

• News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist
• Graphic Designer
• Copy Editor
• Lawyer Graduates may become magazine editors, newspaper or TV reporters, freelance writers, copywriters or podcast hosts. Typically, about 10% pursue graduate degrees in fields such as journalism, creative writing, literature, technical writing, history or law.

Additional Opportunities

The program offers various additional opportunities, including:

• Student Media Organizations, such as WMSR (student run radio station) and M.A.F.I.A (The Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors)
• Inside Hollywood – Study Away Program, which gives students a unique look at Hollywood careers
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program, which provides students with opportunities to work on leadership teams with a professor and other highly motivated and skilled students

Facts and Stats

The university has a strong support system, with a first-to-second year retention rate of 90% and a four-year graduation rate that ranks 12th among public universities in the United States. Miami University is also ranked as the No. 6 public university in the U.S. for long-term career success.

Related Programs

Students may also be interested in related programs, such as:

• English: Creative Writing, B.A.
• Strategic Communication, B.A.
• Media and Communication, B.A.
• Professional Writing, B.A.
• Political Science, B.A.
• English: Literature, B.A.