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Journalism Advising Guide

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What is Journalism?

Journalism is the practice of investigating and reporting events, issues, and trends to a broad audience and relaying information via text in newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Activities for journalism include writing copy, editing copy, photojournalism, managing a newspaper or magazine, curating a website, and working as a correspondent. Contrary to popular belief, journalism is still needed and wanted in today’s society.

Career Opportunities in Journalism

A major in journalism prepares students for a wide variety of job opportunities in business, education, government, and the non-profit sector. A major in journalism can prepare students to work directly in news careers or public relations and publishing. The concentration is also an excellent background for graduate work in many fields including law. Career titles include:

  • Editor in chief
  • Managing editor
  • Newspaper, Magazine or Online Section Head or Page Editor
  • News Correspondent
  • News Reporter
  • Web Page Curator
  • Digital Content Provider
  • Magazine Writer
  • Magazine Editor
  • Photojournalist

Salary Trends in Journalism

The median compensation for print journalism graduates is $38,000 per year. Salaries vary depending on the size of the publication and the geographic location it serves. In New York City, the starting salary for a reporter or copy-editor could be as high as $92,500. In smaller markets, it would be about $35,600. After five year’s experience, the mean salary reporters and copy-editors increases to $60,000. Promotion to an assistant editor or editor can increase salaries even more.

Unlike more vocationally-oriented majors, such as majors in business, engineering, or the health professions, A&S majors tend to study a greater range of topics outside of their immediate major area. This greater breadth provides an interdisciplinary perspective that complements the more linear education in the student’s major area.

As a result, A&S majors are compatible with a wide-range of career options. A large 2012 survey of employers found that 81% of employers will consider any degree, so most employers do not require a specific degree. So A&S majors typically find post- graduate employment at rates comparable to more vocationally-specific degrees, Furthermore, longitudinal studies which have followed college graduates over time have shown that Arts and Sciences graduates rates of salary growth often exceed those of more vocationally-specific majors. For example, a 2010 longitudinal survey of college majors after graduation found that:

“Occupationally specific degrees are beneficial at the point of entry into the labor market but have the lowest growth in occupational status over time. Students earning credentials focusing on general skills, in contrast, begin in jobs with low occupational status but subsequently report the greatest growth.”

Another longitudinal study concluded that:

"Employment across educational fields is almost identical for individuals aged 35-44, and beyond age 45, humanities graduates actually have higher rates of employment than those in other fields. After age 45, humanities and social science majors’ salaries overtake those of counterparts in other fields."

Finally, A&S majors have on average the highest rates of increase from starting to mid-career salary, with Math, Philosophy, International Studies, Physics, Political Science, Chemistry, and Journalism all scoring in the top 10 among all majors in rate of salary growth to mid-career.

High School Preparation

Excel in English. Take courses in or get involved in your school newspaper or its yearbook. Learn everything you can about working on the Web, either by blogging or working as a content provider.  If you have the chance, volunteer for a local newspaper during the summer months.

How to Major in Journalism

Required for both Broadcast and Multimedia:

CA 101: Intro to Media
CA 220 (W): Writing for Communication Media
CA 260: Digital Writing and Production
CA 300: Foundations of Communication Research
CA 445: Ethics and Social Responsibility in Communication
CA 455: Communication Law
JOU 350: Broadcast News Production
JOU 370 (W): Intermediate Reporting-Writing

Broadcast Journalism Requirements:

JOU 250: Radio and TV Performance (Pre-requisite for CA 350, CA 450, and CA 454)
JOU 350: Broadcast News
JOU 353: Broadcast News Editing
JOU 450: Advanced Broadcast News
JOU 454: Newscast Practicum

Choose One:

● CA 449: Mass Media Social Effects
● CA 496: Professional Studies – Internship
● JOU 252: Media Literacy in a Digital Age
● JOU 270: Sports Journalism
● JOU 288: History of Mass Media
● JOU 327: International Media*
● JOU 354: Media and Politics
● JOU 382: Photojournalism
● JOU 482: Multimedia Storytelling

Multimedia Journalism Requirements:

JOU 281: Editing and Design
JOU 382: Photojournalism
JOU 387: Magazine & Feature Writing
JOU 482: Multimedia Storytelling

Choose Two:

● CA 449: Mass Media Social Effects
● CA 496: Professional Studies – Internship
● JOU 252: Media Literacy in a Digital Age

● JOU 288: History of the Mass Media
● JOU 327: International Media*
● JOU 354: Media and Politics
● JOU 472: Enterprise Reporting
● JOU 481(W): Opinion Writing

Journalism Highlights

Journalism students take courses to learn professional reporting and writing skills. Their training involves not just print journalism, but also involves receiving training in multimedia story telling. Journalism students have the opportunity to complete internships at newspapers or magazines, locally or across the nation. Students also are encouraged to work on the USA student newspaper, The Vanguard, and its magazine, Due South. Both experiences result in the students having published articles to show prospective employers.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students have the chance to take courses in London or other international locations that can be used to complete their journalism program.

Studying abroad is an exciting and meaningful experience that will contribute to your academic and personal development.  Participating on a study abroad program can be one of the most profound decisions of your college life, and can lead to many new and interesting opportunities.  It can help develop your critical thinking skills, sense of independence, and confidence.  When you depart on your study abroad program, you will go with excitement, trepidation, and uncertainty about the world and your place in it.  When you return home, your deep connection and affection for your host culture will be overwhelming, and will only be matched by a newfound respect and appreciation for your home.

Study abroad is the opportunity for USA students to spend time in a different country while earning credit towards your degree through taking classes, interning, volunteering, and more.  There are many different types of study abroad available to you at USA. They include faculty-led programs, international exchange programs, and direct-enroll and affiliate programs. 

Students on faculty-led programs will travel as a group led by USA professors and take classes in various locations. All courses taken on these programs are USA courses and offer USA credits that will apply to your degree. International Exchange programs are partnerships with specific universities around the world with which USA has a special, reciprocal relationship. Students enroll directly at the host university, and students from the host university attend USA. USA affiliate programs allow students to enroll at a partner university or program through a third-party provider. GPA requirements vary by program.

You should think of the Study Abroad Office as a one-stop shop for information related to your study abroad experience. The Study Abroad (https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/) team is excited to assist you as you navigate through the process of choosing a program, and will help you from the advising stage until you return from your program.  You can get started by coming to meet with an advisor during Walk-In Advising hours. During an advising session, you can gain general information about the many programs available, how the application process works at USA and general guidance on where to begin.

Be sure to visit the OIE Study Abroad website at https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/ to begin your research.  The website contains information on how to get started, financing your program, and a comprehensive list of pre-approved study abroad programs and partners. While researching a passport or visa programs, consider the following: eligibility requirements, location, course offerings, and costs.  You should also meet with your faculty advisor for assistance in selecting a program based on courses related to your degree.

Studying abroad can be one of the highlights of your university career, giving you wonderful and challenging experiences that will allow you to grow both academically and professionally. Where will you study abroad?

Academic Plan

To view the academic plan for Journalism, please click here. Academic plans are in place to help you stay on track to graduate in four years. Degree plans provide only a suggested schedule; make sure to meet with your academic advisor to find the actual schedule that is right for you.

For additional degree information, visit the undergraduate bulletin.

For More Information

Please contact Dr. Delaware Arif at darif@southalabama.edu darif@southalabama.edu with questions about our journalism program.

You can find us on campus at:

Communication Building Rm. 108
6021 USA Drive South
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 380-2800

Website: www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/communication

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USACommDept?ref=bookmarks