Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies at Oakland University equips students with the practical expertise and hands-on experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. This program provides students with the skills to adapt quickly to changing technologies and business models, developing superior writing and editing skills, and working in multiple media.

Program Overview

The journalism and media studies degree includes core courses in news writing, editing, journalism ethics, and media law. Students will also complete an internship with an off-campus media organization or Oakland University's on-campus news bureau. The program features a minimum of 16 elective credits, with courses selected from a broad list of options.

Program Highlights

• Exceptional real-world opportunities: The program requires a professional internship, but students often complete more than one. Media organizations actively recruit Oakland's journalism and media studies majors due to their skills and confidence.
• Emphasis on professionalism: The program integrates classroom instruction with hands-on learning, emphasizing project-based assignments and case studies that enable students to put textbook concepts into practice.
• Outstanding on-campus media facilities: Students can work for the student-run Oakland Post, an independent weekly newspaper, or Oakland's award-winning campus radio station, among other opportunities.
• Personalized instruction: Most classes have 19 students or fewer, allowing for one-on-one attention from instructors. The program is led by diverse international faculty, most of whom are media veterans.
• Career connections: The department has a high profile in Southeast Michigan and maintains partnerships with news organizations, PR firms, and other media companies, hosting career fairs, resume workshops, and networking events.

Career Opportunities

Oakland graduates have gone on to careers with major news organizations and PR agencies across the country. Many have earned graduate degrees in journalism from top institutions. A partial list of employers includes:

• New York Times
• Washington Post
• Wall Street Journal
• CBS Sports
• Newsweek
• Kresge Foundation
• Philly.com
• Bleacher Report
• The Weather Channel
• Detroit Free Press
• Detroit News
• Fox 2 Detroit
• WDIV Local 4
• WXYZ Channel 7
• WWJ News Radio
• WJR 760 Radio

Curriculum

The program includes core courses and a minimum of 16 elective credits. Sample elective courses include:

• Diversity and Media in Storytelling
• Feature Writing
• Public Affairs Reporting
• Sports Reporting
• Multimedia Journalism
• Advanced Media Design
• Video Documentary Journalism
• Public Relations and the News
• Social Media and PR
• Advertising Creative Strategy
• Advertising Copywriting

Related Programs

For those unsure if the journalism and media studies degree is right for them, Oakland University offers other undergraduate degree programs, including:

• Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Strategic Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Current Internships

A wide range of internships are available, including but not limited to:

• Translational Research Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente
• Media Internship at Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Oral History Initiative Internship at Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Applied AI Postdoctoral Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Teaching Assistant for The School of The New York Times at The School of The New York Times