Beyond THE BASICS
Our department prepares you for leadership roles across journalism, public relations and media innovation through excellent education, Learn by Doing and a strong commitment to ethics, creativity and public service.
Department Overview
The Core Skills
What We Study
We provide a professional undergraduate program that prepares students to gather, create and communicate information in a rapidly changing media landscape. Students build skills in reporting, writing, public relations, media law, ethics, multimedia storytelling and responsible communication, grounded in a broad liberal arts education.
A Holistic Approach
Mission and Values
Our mission is to teach students to be accurate, ethical and engaging storytellers. We are guided by the following values:
Fact-Based Communication
Students learn to report, write and create media that is principled and grounded in evidence.
Transparency and Accountability
Students learn to verify information, provide context, correct mistakes and communicate clearly using ethical reasoning and legal principles.
Learn by Doing
Students report and produce stories, create content and distribute it across current and evolving platforms. Internships and client-based projects extend learning beyond the classroom.
Innovation
Students apply a polytechnic approach to exploring emerging storytelling platforms, technology tools and business models to address audience needs.
Inclusive Excellence
Students learn to represent and serve communities with empathy, care and respect for diverse experiences and perspectives. The department recognizes its responsibility to support an informed public and democratic society.
Critical Thinking
Students learn to analyze, interpret and evaluate information. They consider when technology can support their work and when they must question, verify and make decisions independently.
Professional Preparation and Mentorship
Students build professional readiness through advising, student media, internships, alumni connections and industry partnerships. They graduate ready to contribute on day one and continue learning throughout their lives.
An accredited and innovative program
We are a fully accredited journalism program recognized by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The department is known for an integrated approach to student media and for preparing graduates who can hit the ground running in a changing profession.
where storytelling meets public responsibility
Our philosophy is rooted in accuracy, accountability, curiosity and care for the communities stories affect. That balance of practical skill and public purpose continues to define the department and its graduates.