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The Journalism and Communication Studies, BA at Northeastern University is an interdisciplinary combined major that brings together the practice of journalism with communication theory, research, and professional communication skills. It suits students who want to become versatile storytellers and communicators, with opportunities to develop expertise in reporting, digital media, public speaking, communication research, visual storytelling, and media production.
Curriculum Structure:
Year 1:
Students build their foundation in journalism and communication through JRNL 1101 Journalism 1: Fundamentals of Reporting and Writing, JRNL 1102 Journalist’s Toolbox, and COMM 1101 Introduction to Communication Studies. They also develop academic writing and communication fundamentals through ENGW 1111 First-Year Writing and COMM 1112 Public Speaking.
Year 2:
Students progress into more advanced reporting and communication concepts through JRNL 1150 Understanding Today’s News, JRNL 2201 Journalism 2: Intermediate Reporting, and communication courses such as COMM 1210 Persuasion and Rhetoric or COMM 1255 Communication in a Digital Age. The combination helps students connect practical journalism with communication in modern media environments.
Year 3:
Students can expand their storytelling and professional skills through courses such as JRNL 2301 Visual Storytelling in Journalism, JRNL 3700 Data Storytelling, and JRNL 5314 Video News Reporting and Producing. Communication coursework can explore areas such as COMM 2303 Global and Intercultural Communication, COMM 3320 Political Communication, or COMM 4631 Crisis Communication and Image Management.
Year 4:
Students bring their journalism and communication skills together through advanced courses and production experiences such as COMM 2550 Television Field Production, JRNL 5316 The Newsroom, JRNL 5314 Video News Reporting and Producing, and COMM 4755 Production Capstone. The final stage emphasizes professional-level storytelling, ethical communication, production, and preparation for careers across journalism and communication.
Focus Areas:
Journalism and reporting, communication theory, digital communication, visual storytelling, social media, communication research, public speaking, media production, television field production, podcast and radio journalism, data storytelling, photojournalism, political communication, global and intercultural communication, crisis communication, communication law, public relations.
Learning Outcomes:
Research and analyze communication questions, communicate effectively through writing and presentations, understand and apply communication theory, gather and use data for reporting, produce stories across multiple media formats, develop interviewing and reporting skills, analyze visual information, understand journalism ethics, and communicate effectively across professional and digital environments.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
Northeastern University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). This accreditation applies to the university as a whole rather than being a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Journalism and Communication Studies BA.
Reputation & Employability:
Northeastern's experience-driven model gives students access to co-op and professional opportunities alongside their academic studies. University-wide, Northeastern reports that 96% of undergraduate graduates were employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within nine months, 93% of employed graduates were in jobs related to their majors, and 58% received a job offer from a previous co-op employer.
Northeastern gives Journalism and Communication Studies students opportunities to apply classroom learning through co-op, internships, production-based courses, and specialized media facilities. Students can develop practical skills in reporting, digital storytelling, audio and video production, public communication, and media research while gaining professional experience through Northeastern's extensive employer network:
• Co-op Program: Students can gain professional experience through Northeastern's signature co-op model, building industry connections while applying their journalism and communication skills in professional environments.
• Journalism Co-op & Internship Opportunities: Students can gain experience in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, and other media-related areas.
• Dialogue of Civilizations: Students can participate in short-term international experiences focused on areas such as global reporting, international communication, and immersive storytelling.
• Visual Storytelling: JRNL 2301 Visual Storytelling in Journalism allows students to develop visual approaches to journalism, with additional opportunities in Photojournalism, Data Storytelling, News Documentary Production, and Video News Reporting and Producing.
• Television Production: COMM 2550 Television Field Production provides practical experience connecting communication studies with television production.
• Media Center: Students have access to professional equipment for documentary filmmaking, photojournalism, audio production, and multimedia storytelling, including Canon, Nikon, and Sony camera systems, professional lenses, Sound Devices and Zoom recorders, microphones, LED lighting, DJI gimbals, and sliders.
• Podcast Studio: Students can work in a dedicated podcast environment supporting sound effects, multitrack recording, and remote guests, complementing audio and journalism coursework.
• Recording Studio: CAMD's recording facilities include professional microphones and audio interfaces, a Solid State Logic Matrix mixing console, and Mac workstations equipped with Pro Tools, Audacity, and Adobe Audition.
• Broadcast Television Studio: The studio supports live broadcasts, prerecorded shows, video productions, streaming, and remote capabilities, giving students experience in professional-style production environments.
• Media Hub: Students have access to a collaborative CAMD space where students, faculty, and staff can work together on classroom and creative projects.
Graduates can pursue careers across journalism, digital media, public relations, communications, broadcasting, media production, and related professional fields. The combined degree develops writing, editing, digital and social media, photography, video and audio production, design, research, and communication skills, giving graduates flexibility across the media and communications industries.
Typical job roles: Reporter, Public Relations Specialist, Multimedia Specialist, Web Producer.
These opportunities are strengthened through Northeastern's professional network and experience-driven learning:
• Industry Co-op Network: Journalism students can gain experience with organizations such as Boston Globe, Reebok, New Balance, CBS Television, NBC Universal Television, Boston Bruins, Boston.com, and 360 Public Relations.
• Career Preparation: CAMD's co-op system connects students with employers and provides support throughout the application, selection, and professional work-experience process.
• Employment Outcomes: Northeastern reports 96% employment or graduate-school enrollment within nine months, with 93% of employed graduates working in jobs related to their majors.
• Co-op-to-Employment: 58% of Northeastern graduates received a job offer from a previous co-op employer, demonstrating the potential for professional placements to develop into longer-term employment.
• Salary Information: Northeastern's official sources do not provide a specific starting-salary figure for graduates of the Journalism and Communication Studies BA, so a program-specific salary figure should not be presented as an official outcome.
• Long-Term Accreditation Value: Northeastern's NECHE accreditation provides institution-level recognition and demonstrates that the university operates within established standards for academic quality and institutional effectiveness.
• Career Flexibility: The combined curriculum can support progression into journalism, public relations, multimedia production, digital communication, media research, social media, broadcasting, advertising, and other communication-focused fields.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's-level study in areas such as Journalism, Communication Studies, Media and Communication, Public Relations, Digital Media, Media Innovation, Film and Screen Studies, or related fields. Northeastern's graduate-level journalism offerings can provide a natural pathway for students who want to deepen their expertise.
Official academic records showing courses and grades. Northeastern requires Grades 9, 10 and 11 (or international equivalents); final or predicted examination results are also reviewed where applicable.
1 teacher recommendation is required.
1 school counselor recommendation is required. 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.JournalistNews ReporterBroadcast JournalistMultimedia JournalistCommunications SpecialistPublic Relations SpecialistMedia Relations SpecialistDigital Content ProducerContent StrategistSocial Media ManagerMedia ProducerWeb Content ManagerCopywriterEditorWriterMarket ResearcherMedia AnalystMedia Planner
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