News Media, BA

In a digital age, information is increasingly important to all professions, but it is truly at the heart of the journalism industry. The news media major stresses the gathering, analysis, and communication of information for all kinds of audiences. Students learn the many ways information is produced by journalists, from the traditional practices of professional news outlets to the emerging practices of media start-ups.

News Media students gain expertise in writing, editing, design, broadcasting, visual communication, videography, multimedia production, history, law, and ethics. They learn to produce journalism for a variety of topics, from politics and social issues to sports, food, fashion, and travel. The program’s graduates are prepared for jobs in the journalism industry and for jobs in many other professions. Employers of all sorts, from business to law to education, are desperate for employees who can write well, visualize ideas, search for supporting evidence, and organize information in engaging and clear ways. A news media degree gives graduates these skills.

The volume of information in our highly mediated society can be overwhelming, and it is the journalist who ensures that the information we get is trustworthy. While the communication skills and liberal arts knowledge that news media majors gain is valuable for their future careers, it's also crucial to good citizenship. As our majors learn to produce the news, they also learn to think critically and ethically about the role that news plays in society.

In classes, laboratories, and campus media, News Media students emphasize the knowledge, values, and skills of journalism: compelling storytelling, strong writing, accurate reporting, sensitive editing, artful presentation, and racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. News Media majors also value critical thinking, teamwork, integrity, public service, the First Amendment, and the appreciation for the free flow of information in a democratic society. The JCM department encourages dual majors when possible and advises that all majors complete internships, work in campus media, and develop relationships with WVUA and the Digital Media Center.

Accelerated Master’s Program in Journalism/News Media

News Media majors admitted into this program will be able to earn both the BA in News Media and MA in Journalism at The University of Alabama in five years. For the highly motivated and academically gifted student, this program offers a faster, more economical plan than earning the degrees separately; a richer undergraduate experience and more courses in the major; and a stronger mentoring relationship with the faculty. Please contact the department for more information.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

Professional Experience

News Media students should seek a variety of media work experience, exploring opportunities at the campus newspaper and magazines, digital publications, WVUA-TV, campus radio stations, literary magazines, departmental and alumni newsletters and magazines, and in University communications and sports information offices. Students are strongly encouraged to seek internships with professional media organizations throughout their study at UA. The Department of Journalism & Creative Media has ongoing internship programs with The Tuscaloosa News, WVUA-TV and several other local media outlets. Internships may be completed for academic credit when the student has completed 45 semester hours and JCM 303 News Writing and Reporting with a C- or better. Job and internship listings are posted on the college internship website and outside the departmental office. An internship before senior year makes students more marketable when they graduate.

Career Options for News Media Majors

Graduates can work as writers, reporters, television anchors, editors, photographers, designers, broadcasters, producers and content managers at newspapers, magazines, digital publications, television stations, wire services and book publishers. Many also work in public relations, corporate communications, electronic news, political communication or enter law school or graduate school.

Types of Jobs Accepted

Recent graduates have accepted positions as reporters, covering sports, news, features and business in television, web and/or print outlets. Others have found jobs as editors, writers and designers at lifestyle and specialty magazines. One of the fastest-growing segments for jobs is online media, including outlets connected with newspapers, magazines and television stations, as well as web-only publications. Our top students, especially those who dual major in fields such as political science and communication studies, have been successful in gaining admission to law schools.

Jobs of Experienced Alumni

Our alumni hold top positions in media organizations nationally and internationally. Examples include the U.S. Supreme Court reporter for CBS News, the White House reporter for The Chicago Tribune, an online producer at BuzzFeed, a correspondent for The New York Times, the former editor of O Magazine, presidents and CEOs of online news outlets and public relations firms and several television news reporters in Alabama and throughout the Southeast.

Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center

• Copy of your passport
• Relevant visa and immigration documents (This includes PR card, current visa, or F-1/ J-1 visa request and supporting documents)
• Unofficial transcript copies from every secondary school you have attended. This includes academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work.
  • Include an English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • Students graduating high school in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia or Sierra Leone must submit a copy of their WASSCE results and scratch card information (serial number and PIN) in order to complete their application.
• Students that graduated 6 or more months ago should also provide a brief statement listing any academic activities since graduation (including any post-secondary coursework at institutions inside or outside of the US, English language programs, study abroad programs, etc.) List name(s) of the institutions and dates of attendance. If you have no additional academic activities, please write a short statement that speaks to your activities during the gap period. In the statement, please include the following and send to International Admissions at [email protected]:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • High School/Secondary School
  • Graduation Date