BA in Journalism

MSU’s Journalism program places strong emphasis on learning by doing, with students working in professional-style newsrooms, television studios, editing suites and immersive media spaces. Students can produce journalism for campus media, collaborate on multimedia projects, work with faculty on research and creative projects, complete required internships and gain experience with modern digital, audio, video and immersive storytelling technologies. MSU also provides opportunities to combine journalism with study abroad, student media and professional organizations:

• Spartan Newsroom and Immersive Media Studio — Students collaborate on real media projects while developing skills in news production, animation, motion capture, augmented reality, virtual reality and immersive storytelling.

• Television Production Studios — Students gain direct broadcast-production experience and create television content, including daily news updates, promotional segments and long-form interviews.

• Focal Point — Students can participate in MSU’s award-winning television news program and develop experience in reporting, producing and broadcasting.

• The State News — Student journalists gain practical experience producing news for MSU’s student newspaper while developing professional reporting and editing skills.

• Impact 89FM — Students develop radio and audio journalism experience through MSU’s student radio operation, including sports reporting and broadcasting.

• Video Editing Suites and Audio Recording Facilities — Students work with dedicated spaces and equipment for editing video and producing audio content.

• PC and Apple Media Labs — Students work with computers, digital image projection and audio equipment as part of their journalism and media production work.

• JRN 493 Journalism Professional Field Experience — The major requires students to complete a professional field experience for academic credit, connecting classroom learning with workplace experience.

• Internships — The School of Journalism provides internship support through an internship coordinator, helping students pursue professional opportunities that can potentially lead to full-time employment.

• Faculty Research and Creative Projects — Journalism students can work with faculty on research, creative projects and publications, gaining experience beyond regular coursework.

• Study Abroad — Students can combine journalism study with international experiences while continuing progress toward their degree.

The B.A. in Journalism gives graduates a broad professional foundation that can lead to careers in news, broadcasting, digital media, publishing, sports, communications, public relations and content production. MSU reports that 92% of surveyed journalism alumni from the past 20 years work in a career-related field, while more than 80% have received at least one job offer before graduation.

Typical career options: Journalist, News Reporter, Multimedia Journalist, Digital Reporter

Students can strengthen their career preparation through MSU’s dedicated career resources and extensive alumni and employer network:

• ComArtSci Career Center — Provides career advising, career assessments, resume and cover-letter support, career fairs, workshops, employer events and professional development resources.

• Handshake — MSU’s career-management platform provides access to full-time jobs, internships, career fairs, employer events and career advising.

• Alumni Mentoring — Students can connect with alumni through MSU’s mentoring resources and build professional networks that support career exploration and job preparation.

• Industry Connections — Journalism alumni have moved into roles with organizations including ABC, CBS, NBCUniversal, ESPN, Netflix, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Detroit News, MLB, NBC and CNN.

• Professional Journalism Experience — Required field experience, student media and internships allow students to graduate with practical work that can strengthen their portfolios and resumes.

• Career Outcomes — MSU’s official journalism data reports that 92% of surveyed alumni from the past 20 years are working in career-related fields and more than 80% had one or more job offers before graduation.

• Employer Engagement — ComArtSci provides employers with opportunities to recruit students through Handshake, career fairs, networking events, panel presentations, interviews and campus visits.

• Professional Accreditation — ACEJMC accreditation provides long-term professional recognition and reinforces the program’s alignment with established standards in journalism and mass communication education.

• Alumni Career Diversity — MSU journalism graduates have worked as reporters, news producers, digital reporters, multimedia journalists, content producers, communications advisors, social media producers, videographers, editors and broadcast professionals.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A. in Journalism, students can continue into graduate-level study in Journalism, Communication, Media and Information, Digital Storytelling, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Media Studies or related fields. MSU’s School of Journalism offers graduate programs including the M.A. and Ph.D. in Journalism, providing pathways for students interested in advanced professional practice, research, teaching or academic careers.