There are no absolute educational requirements to become a journalist. However, if you’re looking to work professionally in print, broadcast, or Internet journalism, it’s important to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the right knowledge base and the practical skills to get the job done.

A two-year associate degree program is one way to begin this process. But, because journalism is such a broad field that encompasses political reporters, sports reporters, entertainment reporters, science and technology reporters, and health and fitness reports, as well as photographers, videographers, and a range of other specialists who may contribute various specialized skills to a media project, it’s more common for journalists to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree. Some colleges and universities offer students the opportunity to major in journalism, while others may offer a journalism minor as part of a larger communications department.

Journalism school — or J School — generally refers to graduate or master’s degree programs in journalism, offered by schools such as the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, and the Missouri School of Journalism.

A graduate degree in journalism can be helpful to those already working in the field and are aiming to further their career objectives. It’s also a good way for people who want to transition from a career in business, law, psychology, sociology, or almost any other discipline in the arts and humanities, to a career in journalism. In addition, a graduate degree in journalism is generally a prerequisite for those wishing to teach journalism at the college level.

Historically, journalism was often learned through internships, apprenticing, and trial-and-error on-the-job experience. Now a days, learning the principles of journalism is something that happens in a classroom and learning the practices of journalism is dependent on real world experience. Colleges, universities, and even some high schools encourage this though school newspapers, radio stations, and in some case television production labs. Online blogging and podcasting have also become more common at the undergraduate level.

Another important part of journalists’ training often come in the form of paid and unpaid internships at media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, websites, and broadcast stations. Because journalism is a profession that has historically been learned through apprenticeships, and because there is a need for young, ambitious journalists-in-training to work alongside the professionals in newsrooms, most media organizations have some kind of formal program for interns. And, in many cases these programs are affiliated with one or more college or university. Summer internships are also usually open to independent applicants who may or may not be enrolled in an academic journalism program.

 

Industry Description Full Program Listing

Industry Description

Rapid expansion of the entertainment market in the theaters, the video stores and on the Internet is driving the growth of the film and journalism industry. There are numerous film and journalism schools nationwide that offer courses, diplomas and degrees. Degrees in film and journalism will prepare you for numerous employment possibilities in the movie, video, writing and publishing industries. Awaiting your creativity are exciting jobs such as newspaper reporter or editor, movie producer or director, freelance writer and photographer to name just a few as examples. With your degree, diploma or ongoing courses you could participate in creating a television series, studio program, music video, motion picture or documentary. You could be called on to write a column in your local newspaper or submit technical articles for use in textmagazines. Or, if you’re a good communicator and enjoy public speaking you could specialize your degree toward becoming a live news reporter or talk show host.

Two or three year degrees or a one year certificate program from a film and journalism school will prepare you well for a variety of employment or advancement in this exciting industry. Film and journalism schools will usually offer a range of widely accepted communication and specialty courses either on campus, online, or through correspondence.

If you have a good imagination, like to write or speak to an audience or simply enjoy the process of creating, publishing or directing you should definitely consider one of the film and journalism schools near you.

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