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The B.A. in Communication with a Journalism concentration at Drexel University prepares students to write, edit, research and produce professional journalism while developing a strong understanding of communication theory, media and journalism ethics. It is a strong choice for students who want to enter today's evolving news environment with practical skills in multiplatform journalism, investigative reporting, audiovisual storytelling and digital media, supported by Drexel's renowned co-op program.
Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: Students begin by building a foundation in communication and journalism through courses such as COM 101 – Human Communication, COM 150 – Mass Media and Society, and COM 160 – Introduction to Journalism. They also develop academic research and writing skills through Drexel's composition sequence, while COM 216 – Sourcing Challenges in Journalism introduces students to the importance of finding, evaluating and working with reliable sources.
Year 2: Students move into more advanced journalism and communication study with COM 210 – Theory and Models of Communication, COM 220 – Qualitative Research Methods, and COM 221 – Quantitative Research Methods in Communication. Alongside research methods, COM 263 – Multiplatform Journalism and COM 266 – Copy Editing for the Media strengthen students' ability to create and refine journalism for multiple platforms.
Year 3: Students can deepen their journalism expertise through courses such as COM 261 – Advanced Journalism, COM 315 – Investigative Journalism, and COM 365 – Journalists, the Courts, and the Law. These courses develop investigative thinking, advanced reporting skills and an understanding of the legal environment in which professional journalists work.
Year 4: Students bring their communication and journalism training together through COM 391 – Critiques of Journalism and News Media and the two-part COM 491/COM 492 – Senior Project in Communication I and II. The senior project provides an opportunity to apply research, communication and professional skills to a substantial final project, while additional communication electives allow students to tailor their studies to their career interests.
Focus Areas:
Journalism, multiplatform journalism, investigative reporting, news sourcing, copy editing, audiovisual content, digital storytelling, journalism law, journalism ethics, media criticism, communication research, mass media, news media, writing and editing.
Learning Outcomes:
Students develop the ability to understand communication theories, apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, research and evaluate information, write and edit professional content, produce journalism across multiple platforms, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, address real-world communication challenges, and apply ethical and professional standards to journalism and media.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The Journalism concentration is designed around professional journalism skills, including writing, editing, sourcing, investigative reporting, multiplatform production and understanding journalism law and ethics. Drexel's official program information does not identify a separate program-specific journalism accreditation; instead, the program emphasizes experiential learning, civic engagement and professional co-op experience as key components of career preparation.
Reputation (Employability):
Drexel's Communication program benefits from the university's long-established cooperative education model. The university describes Philadelphia as the nation's fifth-largest media market, giving Communication students access to news organizations, media outlets, corporations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations through co-op opportunities.
Drexel makes professional experience a major part of the Communication experience, particularly through its co-op model, where students can spend up to three six-month periods working at companies or media outlets. Journalism students can combine this professional experience with project-based coursework and student-run media, gaining opportunities to write, edit, investigate, produce multimedia content and develop professional networks before graduation:
• Drexel Co-op — Students can complete up to three six-month professional work periods, applying classroom knowledge in discipline-specific positions and gaining substantial workplace experience before graduation.
• COM 263 – Multiplatform Journalism — Students develop journalism skills across multiple formats, reflecting the increasingly converged nature of professional news production.
• COM 315 – Investigative Journalism — Provides project-based preparation in investigative journalism, giving students an opportunity to work with research-intensive reporting approaches.
• The Triangle — Drexel's student-run newspaper provides a practical environment for students interested in journalism, reporting, editing and media production.
• Drexel University Television (DUTV) — Students can gain audiovisual and media-production experience through Drexel's student-run television outlet.
• WKDU 91.7 FM — Drexel's student-run radio station provides another platform for students interested in audio, broadcasting and media production.
• Journalism Co-op Placements — Previous Journalism students have held positions including Production Assistant at WPVI-TV, Staff Writer at Delaware County Daily Times, Promotions Department roles at WPLY-FM, and Production Assistant in the sports department at FOX-29.
• Project-Based Learning — Courses such as COM 263 – Multiplatform Journalism and COM 315 – Investigative Journalism allow students to apply journalism concepts through practical assignments.
• Steinbright Career Development Center — Supports students throughout the co-op process and provides co-op and career-development resources, including career guides for specific majors.
The Journalism concentration prepares graduates for careers across journalism, broadcast media, digital publishing and evolving news platforms, while its emphasis on research, writing, editing and multiplatform production gives students skills that can transfer across the wider communications industry. Drexel's co-op experience can also help students graduate with professional work experience, a stronger résumé and industry connections.
Typical career options: Investigative Journalist, Digital News Producer, Copy Editor, Multimedia Journalist
• Steinbright Career Development Center — Supports students and recent alumni through cooperative education and career services, including co-op preparation and career guides for specific majors.
• Extensive Co-op Experience — Drexel reports that 100% of College of Arts and Sciences students learn through experiential education, with 98% of Arts and Sciences students employed on co-op and 72% of Arts and Sciences co-op positions paid.
• Philadelphia Media Market — Drexel identifies Philadelphia as the nation's fifth-largest media market, creating access to news organizations, media outlets, corporations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Industry Connections — Journalism students have completed co-ops with organizations including WPVI-TV, Delaware County Daily Times, WPLY-FM and FOX-29, giving students exposure to professional news, broadcasting and media environments.
• Professional Preparation — The program's combination of journalism coursework, student-run media, civic engagement and co-op experience helps students build professional skills before graduation.
• Graduate Outcomes — Drexel states that Journalism graduates pursue careers in journalism, broadcast media and news, while emerging opportunities also include social media, mobile publishing and audiovisual content creation. Graduates may also continue into graduate study in journalism or another discipline.
Further Academic Progression: After the B.A., students can pursue graduate study in journalism, communication, media studies, law, business, public policy or related fields. Drexel also offers an accelerated Communication BA / Strategic & Digital Communication MS pathway for qualified students, allowing students to combine undergraduate and graduate study in a structured program.
Program Format:
The program is campus-based, with co-op available as a major experiential option. Drexel offers four-year no-co-op, four-year one-co-op and five-year three-co-op pathways for this version of the Communication B.A.
Undergraduate Admission Application, Essay, Official Transcripts, Two Letters of Recommendation, Proof of Financial Responsibility, Portfolio, is required to be submitted by applicant. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Applicants are generally assessed on writing, communication, creativity and engagement with media or current affairs. Journalism, school publications, podcasting, filmmaking, photography, social-media projects, debate and communication campaigns may strengthen the profile. Some film or media programs may request a creative portfolio, writing sample or supplementary submission.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Investigative ReporterDigital Content ProducerNews EditorMultimedia JournalistFeature WriterBroadcast JournalistMagazine WriterPhotojournalistCopy EditorPolitical CorrespondentSocial Media EditorNews ResearcherEditorial WriterOnline JournalistData Journalist
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