Journalism (BA)

This program is offered by the School of Communications/Communications and Journalism Department and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.

Program Description

Journalism jobs exist today that didn’t exist even five years ago. And opportunities in the news industry will emerge in the next decade that can’t be imagined today. The journalism major is designed to prepare students to not only seize opportunities, but also for them to create opportunities in an evolving field.

The major takes an immersive approach to helping students attain their career aspirations. From their first semester, journalism majors will be enrolled in the News Collaboratory, where they will be working with and learning from students three and four years into their journalism program. From the first semester, students in News Collaboratory will write news stories on campus issues and events, help produce podcasts and newscasts and will assist juniors and seniors with in-depth reporting projects. Students will work a minimum of four semesters in News Collaboratory as preparation for multiple internships. (One approved internship is required.)

The journalism major also requires students to build a specialty area of at least three courses, taking advantage of the media-specific expertise and facilities throughout the School of Communications. After completing their professional development course in their third semester, students will formally propose their specialty cluster as part of their portfolio review.  

In addition to learning traditional reporting methods and the newest multimedia storytelling techniques, journalism majors will gain the affective skills essential for success in a constantly evolving field: professionalism, entrepreneurship and collaboration.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate potential news stories that will impact, inform and engage a defined audience.
• Construct the most compelling and effective ways to tell a story based upon an analysis of purpose, audience and available media. This includes taking advantage of multimedia to tell stories in a global context in more complete and meaningful ways.
• Gather and evaluate the validity and reliability of information as well as to evaluate the veracity of the sources from which information comes through:
  • The process of interviewing.
  • Research and public records search.
  • Database-driven, computer-assisted reporting.
• Evaluate and comprehend the ethical and legal implications of one’s journalistic publication decisions.
• Apply entrepreneurial and relationship-building skills in order to compete effectively for professional employment opportunities.

Degree Requirements

For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

• 45 required credit hours
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
• Electives

Required Courses

• EPMD 1000  Introduction to Media Production (3 credits)
• MDST 2500  Professional Development for Media Careers (3 credits)
• MDST 2800  Media Diversity and Society (3 credits)
• MDST 3100  Social Media Strategies and Tactics (3 credits)
• MDST 3300  Law Ethics and Policy (3 credits)
• JOUR 1030 Multimedia News Reporting I* (2 credits)
• JOUR 1031 Multimedia News Reporting I Lab (1 credit)
• JOUR 2140 Multimedia News Reporting II* (2 credits)
• JOUR 2141 Multimedia News Reporting II Lab (1 credit)
• JOUR 2170 Multimedia News Editing (3 credits)
• JOUR 2171 Multimedia News Editing Lab (2 credit)
• JOUR 3030 Entrepreneurial Journalism (2 credits)
• JOUR 3031 Entrepreneurial Journalism Lab (2 credits)
• MDST 4950 Internship (3 Credits)
• JOUR 4030 News Collaboratory Project (3 credits)

*Capstone Course

Additionally, students pursuing a journalism degree will need to complete a three-course specialty area approved by portfolio review panel. (9 credits)

Portfolio Review for Journalists

Students majoring in journalism must successfully complete a portfolio review presentation after passing these classes:

• JOUR 1030 Multimedia News I
• JOUR 1031 Multimedia News I Lab
• JOUR 2040 Multimedia News II
• JOUR 2041 Multimedia News II Lab
• MDST 2500 Professional Development for Media Careers

Application

See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:

Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119