Program

Within the context of a broad liberal arts degree program, journalism majors will concentrate on core courses in journalism and mass communication principles, media production and editing, information gathering, writing, reporting practicums and mass communication law. Electives may be taken in a variety of theoretical and professional subject areas such as history of documentary, history of mass communication, public opinion, international communication, mass media and society, media ethics, visual communication, and specialized media writing and production. Recommended areas of study for a minor or double major include environmental science, political science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, English, art, economics, film studies, geography, history, international studies, agriculture or business. Journalism majors may not double major or minor in the mass communication emphasis offered in the communication studies and theatre arts department. A student who desires to teach journalism at the secondary school level would pursue a degree through the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Faculty

All journalism faculty have extensive professional media experience and advanced degrees in journalism and mass communications. Individually they have worked as daily and weekly newspaper reporters and editors, radio and television broadcast journalists, public relations professionals, photographers or freelance writers. Their academic work includes numerous publications, conference presentations and lectures. Faculty remain active as professional writers, broadcasters, consultants and speakers. In addition, faculty advise undergraduate majors, WRFW-FM, NewsCenterU and The Student Voice. Department faculty take pride in their close, personal attention to the academic and professional success of their advisees and graduates.

Career Opportunities

Because journalism provides a solid foundation in interviewing, information gathering and writing skills, a broad selection of career options in the news, sports and public relations fields awaits journalism graduates. Incorporation of new technologies into the classroom prepares students for media convergence, giving them hands-on experience with print, radio, television and online formats. UWRF journalism alumni are employed as reporters, editors, photojournalists, producers, writers and directors. They work for newspapers, broadcast and cable companies, specialty magazines, government public information offices, nonprofit organizations, book publishing houses, agricultural publications, corporate public relations departments and other communications-related occupations across the country

Student Opportunities

The campus offers students a variety of journalism experience outside class. Students may work for the award-winning independent weekly student newspaper, The Student Voice. They could choose to work in the news department of the 3,000-watt university radio station, WRFW-FM, offering the only local news broadcasts in the surrounding area. They may join the staff of NewsCenterU, a weekly news program distributed via cable to the campus and CATV systems in River Falls and nearby communities. Journalism students are also encouraged to join the campus chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Other activities include working at the UWRF public affairs office, the UWRF sports information office, television services, and for The Prologue, a student-edited literary magazine produced under the auspices of the English department.