BA in Journalism

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The American University of Paris

Program Overview

The Journalism major at The American University of Paris gives you hands-on training in digital, print, video, and broadcast journalism, perfect for students passionate about storytelling in a global city like Paris. You'll build professional skills in a state-of-the-art newsroom, learning from experienced journalists while exploring media ethics, social media, and multi-platform production—ideal if you want a career that combines creativity, critical thinking, and real-world impact.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
In your first year, you'll dive into the fundamentals through the introductory Journalism Workshop (CM1001), mastering basic writing, reporting, accuracy, fairness, and objectivity while crafting hard news stories and analyzing sources. You'll also get early exposure to student media like the Online News Practicum (CM1851), building skills in digital journalism, social media management, and research right in The Peacock Plume newsroom. This foundation sets you up to think and write like a pro from day one.

Second and Third Years
As you progress, courses like Digital Media Writing and broadcast-focused workshops in the Peacock Play introduce video production with tools like Final Cut Pro, editing short stories, interviews, and narratives for PTV's platform. You'll tackle Scripts for Travel (CM3033) and media economics, honing multi-platform skills in a professional newsroom setting while collaborating on real content for YouTube and social media. These years blend theory with practice, sharpening your edge in video journalism and ethical reporting.

Final Year
Your capstone pushes you into advanced territory with practicums like Fashion Journalism Practicum (CM4013) or Digital Media Writing Practicum (CM5062), where you'll produce magazine features, TV news, and online content under tight deadlines. Drawing on media law, ethics, and global issues, you'll refine professional editing, design, and teamwork in the Thamer Salman Student Media Center. By graduation, you'll have a portfolio ready for top media outlets.

Focus Areas
Multi-platform journalism (print, digital, video, broadcast); media ethics and law; social media strategy; fashion and travel reporting; global storytelling in an international context.

Learning Outcomes
Develop ethical journalistic practices, professional writing/editing/video skills, collaboration in newsrooms, and critical analysis of media theories—equipping you as an informed, responsible communicator.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
AUP's programs align with institutional Core Capabilities for critical thinking, ethical communication, and experiential learning, assessed via direct student work and rubrics; up to 8 credits from journalism practicums count toward your degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Over 90% of AUP undergrads from 2013-15 found jobs within a year, with nearly 80% in international roles across 50+ countries; alumni thrive in global media, NGOs, and top grad schools thanks to our practical, Paris-based training.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At The American University of Paris, our Journalism major dives right into hands-on learning, giving you real-world skills in video production, digital storytelling, and reporting from day one. You'll work in professional-style newsrooms and studios, mastering tools like Final Cut Pro for editing video pieces, while producing content for student platforms like PTV and The Peacock Plume that reach actual audiences on YouTube and social media. This isn't just theory—it's training that lands you internships at places like CNN, Harper's, or Le Courrier International, building your portfolio with publishable work.

Here's how our experiential opportunities specifically sharpen your journalism edge:
- Broadcast workshops like Peacock Play: Gain pro-level experience in a real-time newsroom and production studio, creating short video stories, narratives, and interviews for PTV, with skills in video equipment and Final Cut Pro editing—up to 8 credits toward your degree.
- Digital journalism via The Plume: Hone technical skills in online news, social media management, and research through practicums like Online News (CM1851) or Digital Media Writing, contributing to our live site.
- Internships for credit: Secure spots at top outlets (CNN, Sixty Minutes, European Broadcasting Union), earning 1-4 credits—perfect for replacing your senior seminar if you're ready to jump in.
- Magazine practicums (CM1850): Build pre-professional experience researching, interviewing, and sourcing stories for print and online magazines.
- International field training: Through the International Journalism Institute, navigate Paris or beyond for breaking news, meeting pros on foreign beats and filing multimedia stories under deadline pressure.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Journalism major at AUP gives you something most universities can't: real, hands-on experience in an actual newsroom from day one. You won't just read about journalism—you'll practice it alongside your peers in a professional setting, working with industry-standard equipment and tools while contributing to live publications that reach real audiences. This combination of rigorous academic training and practical application means you'll graduate not just educated, but genuinely job-ready.

What makes this experience so powerful is the integrated newsroom model. All journalism students work together under one roof, producing print, video, and digital content simultaneously. You'll gain professional-level skills in writing and editing for news sites, producing video for television and websites, and managing both print and online magazines. The department equips you with a necessary familiarity with digital tools in production, design, and editing so you're comfortable in any modern media environment.

Here's what you'll actually have access to as a Journalism major:

- Video production equipment and professional editing software, including Final Cut Pro, in a real-time newsroom and production studio setting
- Hands-on broadcast journalism training through Peacock Play, where you'll produce short video stories, narratives, and interviews while learning to edit, post on YouTube, and use social media to promote your work
- Magazine and online journalism experience through the Peacock, where you'll develop writing, design, and production skills on a high-quality student publication
- Digital journalism platform called the Plume, where you'll learn technical skills, social media management, and journalistic research methods
- Specialized practicum courses in video journalism, online news, digital media writing, and fashion journalism—many can be taken multiple times for credit
- Internship opportunities at major outlets including CNN, Harper's, Le Courrier International, Sixty Minutes, and the European Broadcasting Union, with students earning 1-4 credits toward their degree
- Intensive International Journalism Institute during summer—a three-week course where you'll learn to navigate foreign cities, report on breaking news, and file multimedia stories under real time pressure
- Group projects and collaborative work across all student media outlets, developing your ability to work as part of a professional team

The Journalism program also benefits from AUP's broader commitment to experiential learning and intellectual rigor, grounded in the liberal arts tradition. You'll think critically about your role in global communications while developing the writing, digital literacy, and problem-solving skills employers actually want.