Journalism

The School of Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Idaho combines classroom learning, hands-on experience and personal guidance from seasoned faculty to prepare you for a successful future as a media professional.  With a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism, you will have the exceptional research and writing skills, broad media knowledge, sharp news judgment and practical experiences needed to launch your career in print, online or in broadcast journalism.

As a journalism major, you’ll learn to gather and organize information from multiple sources for news stories and features. You’ll form the ability to apply news judgment in a variety of contexts. Courses in literature, history, sociology, political science and other disciplines give you the well-rounded perspective and global awareness you need for a career as a professional journalist. You’ll also learn the theory and history of journalism as a foundation for applying ethical and legal principles to your decision making.

Journalism majors receive one-on-one mentorship from faculty experts who know what it takes to succeed as a journalist in the real world. Your professors draw from years of personal experience as newspaper reporters and editors, specialized writers, broadcast journalists and publications specialists.

Journalism majors develop their skills across multi-media platforms, including print, broadcast and online.  Social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are incorporated into writing and editing classes.  Journalism students have the opportunity to write for the Argonaut, the University of Idaho’s student newspaper or Blot, the award-winning student magazine. You also may write and produce news for KUOI-FM, the student-operated campus radio station. This student media experience allows you to develop quality writing samples for your professional portfolio, and it can also serve as a stepping stone to a position at a local, regional or national media outlet.

Additionally, our strong ties to the regional media industry open doors to internships and job opportunities at regional newspapers, magazines and broadcast stations. Field trips, guest speakers, alumni events and other activities give you the chance to network with practicing professionals from around the world.

Prepare for Success

Journalism is a demanding profession that requires extreme dedication. To be successful, you should:

• Be a strong writer, as well as develop your public speaking and interviewing skills.
• Be curious about the world around you.
• Possess high ethical standards.
• Be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

You can prepare in high school for the program with writing and other media-related courses. We also encourage you to get involved in your high school student media organizations, such as a newspaper, yearbook or broadcast station.

Your First Year

During your first year in the program, you will complete lower-division media courses required by the School of Journalism and Mass Media (JAMM). All students must successfully complete the following courses with a C grade or better to enroll in upper-division JAMM courses:

• JAMM 100 – Media and Society*
• JAMM 121 – Media Writing*

You will also complete university core requirements, including:

• English 102 – Writing and Rhetoric
• Communication 101 – Public Speaking
• Math (3 credits)
• Science (7-8 credits)

*The School of Journalism and Mass Media is part of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS). We encourage students to pursue a minor or second major from other CLASS departments, such as international studies, history, political science, or foreign languages. A minor in writing from the Department of English is also an excellent complement to a journalism degree.

What You Can Do

With a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Idaho, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities. You may become a:

• Newspaper or magazine reporter
• TV news anchor
• Radio or TV news producer
• Columnist or blogger
• Copy editor
• Publication designer
• Sports announcer
• Public relations manager
• Media relations manager
• Freelance writer
• Political consultant

You may also consider establishing an area of specialization by earning a major or minor in another field, such as history, political science or business. A double major in international studies is an excellent way to prepare for a career as a foreign correspondent.

Opportunities

Thousands of graduates of the School of Journalism and Mass Media (JAMM) have gone on to successful careers in advertising, journalism, photography, public relations, television and film production, and other fields where strong writing skills and the ability to quickly organize information are valued. Our alumni include well-respected print and broadcast journalists working in professional newsrooms throughout the region and nation.

Journalism is an exciting and challenging field. As a professional journalist, you’ll have opportunities to interview fascinating people, cover important issues and events, and travel to interesting places. Some journalists will pursue a career in a corporate setting. Many companies seek trained journalists to manage their media relations and crisis communication efforts. Some of our graduates have also pursued political careers. The current governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is a graduate of JAMM.

Because of the emphasis on research, writing and current events, a journalism degree is also excellent preparation for law or graduate school.

Current Research

University of Idaho faculty members in the School of Journalism and Mass Media are recognized nationally and internationally for their work in advertising, journalism, public relations, and radio, television and digital media production. Professional expertise and current research interests include:

• Research on political reporting, civic journalism and the relationship between public opinion and public policy
• Writing about technology and cutting-edge science, including the worldwide story on the University of Idaho famous first equine clone
• Energy, environmental and financial journalism
• Freedom of the press among Native American tribes
• Production of documentaries for TV and film
• Marketing, creative and public relations work for corporate giants such as B.F. Goodrich, Mitsubishi Motors and McGraw-Hill Publishing
• Research in history of mass media; social and cultural movements; social welfare, labor, and immigration history; and women in the West
• Community fund-raising and public issue campaigns
• Public radio reporting and broadcasting
• Lighting design for theatrical productions

Activities

Learn more about your chosen field and gain exposure to real-world media professions by getting involved in the following student groups: 

• Ad Club: Provides advertising majors the opportunity to visit agencies in Seattle or Portland each spring.
• Society of Professional Journalists: Allows journalism majors to interact with regional reporters and editors to discuss ethical and professional issues.
• Public Relations Club: Invites guest speakers to campus. Gives students opportunities for job shadowing.
• Native American Journalists Association: Open to students from all backgrounds interested in the complexities of reporting about Native American issues.
• Digital Media Club: Open to all students who are interested in film, television, video and digital media production.  Digital Media Club allows members to experience working collaboratively while developing their writing, producing, directing, acting/performing, shooting, editing and sound recording/mixing skills.

Hands-On Experience

As a student in the School of Journalism and Mass Media, you will have many opportunities to gain the valuable practical experience that you need to jump-start your career after graduation. Hands-on learning opportunities include:

• Internships: On-the-job experience is key to your readiness for the real world. We maintain strong connections to the media industry, which create outstanding opportunities to learn your profession alongside some of the region’s top journalists.
• Senior Capstone: Journalism majors may choose between public affairs reporting and advanced broadcast news. Either intensive semester-long course gives you a chance to apply your professional training and classroom learning to hard-hitting investigative projects.
• Student Media Outlets: Build your professional skills by working for a University of Idaho independent student media outlet, including Blot magazine, The Argonaut student newspaper and KUOI-FM radio.
• Radio-TV Center: Develop technical skills and learn firsthand about the television industry at the recently renovated Radio-TV Center, adjacent to the School of Journalism and Mass Media. You’ll gain on-camera experience, learn to work with the industry’s latest high-definition equipment and technologies, and work with experienced reporters and producers for Northwest Public Radio and Idaho Public Television.

Online & Outreach

Multicultural High School Journalism Workshop: A free weeklong workshop designed to help high school students and recent graduates from around the West learn more about the news business. Participants work with University of Idaho journalism faculty and practicing professionals to write newspaper stories, produce radio news reports and appear in a TV news program.

Faculty Involvement

The school prides itself on its advising and mentoring. Faculty members hold extended office hours, work closely with student clubs and organized off-campus field trips. All skills classes (reporting, editing and production) are capped at 20 students, allowing plenty of personal attention.