Point Park University has one of the most notable and esteemed journalism programs in the Pittsburgh area. According to its website, Point Park University journalism students prepare for their careers through "intense classes in writing, editing, reporting and interviewing." The curriculum includes courses in feature writing, magazine writing and investigative reporting. The school has affiliations with one of daily newspapers that covers Pittsburgh, providing students with professional experience before they graduate.Pittsburgh's Duquesne University offers journalism as an undergraduate major. According to its website, Duquesne's journalism program "prepares students to be effective and conscientious civic communicators in the fields of print, broadcast and online journalism." What makes Duquesne's program unique is that it takes an ethics-based approach to its journalism instruction, incorporating guidelines on ethical behavior from such professional standard bearers as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Poynter Institute and the Radio-Television News Directors Association.
While its is mostly known for its science and technology programs, Carnegie Mellon University also is home to a strong writing program. While Carnegie Mellon does not offer a traditional journalism degree, it offers a professional writing undergraduate degree that, according to its website, will prepare students for careers in publishing, government, journalism, law, community advocacy, the non-profit sector, education, corporate communications, finance, and the arts. Students take courses in everything from journalism to online information design to science writing to corporate communication writing, as well as writing for multimedia. Originally founded as a small, women-centered university, Carlow University offers a nonfiction professional writing undergraduate degree. Carlow's program, according to its website, prepares students for work in publications, the media, nonprofit organizations, fundraising/development, corporations, and entrepreneurial small businesses. Carlow's professional writing students are required to take courses in newswriting, feature writing, technical writing and general nonfiction writing.
The University of Pittsburgh does not offer a traditional journalism degree but its Department of English a reputable and esteemed creative nonfiction writing programs. In fact, the University of Pittsburgh was one of the first major universities to offer a nonfiction degree and program alumni include nationally recognized authors and poets. Students who major in nonfiction writing can concentrate on newswriting to prepare for a career in journalism. Courses are offered in newspaper and magazine writing, as well as broadcast writing and writing for electronic media.
Community College of Allegheny County has two campuses in Pittsburgh and offers a journalism program that results in an associate degree. Courses include fundamentals of news reporting, copy editing and introduction to mass media; three practicums give students hand-on experience.