Core courses required for an undergraduate journalism degree vary depending on the institution. Typically, journalism majors must take introductory courses in reporting and editing. These courses help students develop basic skills that journalists must have to succeed. Reporting courses cover how to research and write clear, well-organized copy for a variety of media. Editing classes teach the use of Associated Press (AP) style, and students learn to check their own and others' writing for grammar, punctuation and spelling. Additionally, editing classes often cover writing effective headlines and fact checking articles.
Courses in communications law and/or ethics are also often required, and those classes examine privacy, fairness and legal issues related to writing for media.
Elective courses for an undergraduate degree in journalism also vary depending on the school. Students can choose elective classes in their specific area of interest, including photojournalism, public relations, cultural issues and online media.
Elective courses provide students with the opportunity to discover the many sides of journalism, such as the business aspect presented in advertising courses, as well as specific types of journalism, such as health and science reporting.
Journalism programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level allow students to complete an internship and gain practical, real-world skills in the particular type of media they wish to pursue employment. Many journalism students intern at campus and local newspapers and radio and television stations. That is a way to make contacts, gain experience and find out whether or not journalism is indeed your passion.
A master's or doctoral degree in journalism usually is required to teach journalism at most colleges and universities. People wishing to pursue research as well as those wanting to develop or update professional and entrepreneurial skills also take graduate-level journalism courses.
Indiana University boasts one of the nation's oldest doctoral programs in journalism, and graduate students may specialize in a variety of concentrations, including communication and technology, media history and political communication.
Competition is intense for journalism jobs. Broadening your skills, learning a foreign language or being able to complement news stories with your own photography can give you an advantage.