This department offers professional preparation for students who are planning careers in journalism. It also offers other students the chance to improve their writing, interviewing and research skills and to learn about the news media. Students in writing courses are expected to produce work of professional quality and to publish that work when possible.

Students who major in journalism should also take related courses in history, economics, political science and other liberal arts disciplines as a sound preparation for news reporting. The department strongly urges students to complete a second major. Students also should gain professional experience before graduation, either through part-time jobs, the Co-operative Education Program or the department’s internship program. Internships are available at newspapers, radio and television stations, magazines, online publications and political press offices.