UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Journalism Degree

Program Overview

Journalism majors learn to report, write and edit stories for publication or broadcast. Students are prepared to work in all aspects of journalism including print, radio, online or TV. Today's news organizations expect their staff to be able to write in both print and broadcast style, shoot video, record audio and take photos.

Highlights of the Journalism Major

Based on sound principles of journalism, students become responsible, competent and ethical journalists working across multiple media platforms.
Students gain practical, hands-on experience producing multimedia stories for the Falcon News Service and the opportunity for involvement in two student media organizations: a weekly newspaper, The Student Voice, and WRFW-FM, a public radio station located on the campus.
Students are provided internship opportunities with local newspapers, TV and radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest.

Skills and Learning Outcomes

As a student in this program, you will learn to:

Produce high quality print, broadcast or online journalism.
Use a variety of technology to produce compelling news stories.
Critique the quality and ethics of journalism, in any medium, in terms of professional reporting standards.
Identify the role that diversity plays in every aspect of journalism.
Critically analyze the relationship between mass media and society, within historical and contemporary contexts.

Career Opportunities

Traditionally, the assumption is that a career in journalism means working in broadcast or print news. Journalism graduates have become broadcast on-air personalities, anchors, writers, producers and radio or TV reporters. Or those interested in print write for newspapers (print and online) and magazines.

However, the skills and knowledge of journalism majors are highly valued in almost any career they ultimately choose. The ability to talk with people, write clearly, record/edit audio and video, take compelling pictures, explain complex issues, analyze data and think critically are useful in many fields. In addition to traditional news jobs, UWRF journalism alumni are working for nonprofit organizations, public schools, state and local government, public relations firms, and in advertising, marketing and sales.

Potential Job Titles