The journalism major at the College of Media prepares students for careers as journalists working in the fields of broadcast, video and audio production, digital, and newspaper journalism. All students in the journalism major must complete a series of shared core requirements (15 credit hours) and a shared capstone experience (3 credit hours). In addition, students will take two upper-level courses of their own choosing in one of several focus areas: video and audio, visual/photo journalism, documentary or reporting and writing. Students will also take 6 credit hours in journalism skills classes, such as podcasting, voice performance, AR/VR, video editing and drone journalism.
Journalism majors have the opportunity to participate in such immersion journalism courses as Visual Storytelling, WVU News, Audience Engagement, and Adventure Travel Writing and Photography, along with numerous other special topics classes. The College houses student chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists; National Association of Black Journalists; WVU Film Club; Association for Women in Sports Media; Radio, Television, Digital News Association; and Mirage Magazine. Journalism majors who wish to pursue law school or other graduate study have a solid basis in writing and research. The College offers a 3 + 3 degree program with the College of Law for high achieving students.
Journalism
The Reed College of Media states as its learning goals the values and competencies of its national accrediting body, the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, which appear under information about the B.S. in Journalism degree. In addition, the College faculty have set other specific educational outcomes deemed critical for success as professional communicators. These additional educational outcomes for journalism majors are:
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking skills, writing and reporting, and an understanding of basic production skills, allowing them to produce news stories and multimedia projects. Graduates will be adequately prepared to either work in the field or pursue advanced educational opportunities.
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate a mastery of written and spoken communications, an understanding of the technologies of print, television and digital media, and knowledge and applications of these skills in their chosen careers.
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate an understanding of how to serve, reflect and engage diverse publics in their reporting and producing.
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate knowledge of media ethics, law and regulation, including a full understanding of the First Amendment within the context of artificial intelligence and social media.
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate specialized knowledge of news media interactions with various critical publics, including but not limited to: government at all levels; educational entities; law enforcement; medical, social and humanitarian services; and religious and secular organizations within the community.
- Journalism graduates will learn to work as collaborative teams to solve problems, create strategies and produce content across all media platforms using the principles of human-centered design.
- Journalism graduates demonstrate the ability to engage an audience using social media networking and analytics tools.
- Journalism graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the history of technology and Silicon Valley in the context of media and its impact on acquisition, production, distribution and the economic models of media.
- Journalism graduates will learn methods for data mining, evaluating sources, and investigating algorithms.
- Journalism graduates will be introduced to programming for media in one or more modern languages.
