Journalism, B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas Tech University

Program Overview

The B.A. in Journalism at Texas Tech University prepares students to report, write, edit, shoot and produce accurate, compelling stories across print, digital, social and broadcast platforms. It is a strong choice for students who want a modern, multiplatform journalism education while developing expertise through a required interdisciplinary concentration or minor and gaining experience with real news organizations and student media.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their journalism and media foundation through JOUR 2300: Principles of Journalism, MCOM 1300: Foundations of Media and Communication, and MCOM 1301: Introduction to Digital and Social Media. They also begin developing visual and production skills through MCOM 2301: Visual Storytelling and JCMI 2301: Introduction to Media Production and Composition, creating a strong base for multiplatform journalism.

Year 2: Students move into practical reporting and writing through JOUR 2310: News Writing and JOUR 3312: Reporting, while JCMI 2302: Foundations of Digital Post-Production and Workflow develops their digital production skills. MCOM 2350: Communicating in a Global Society also broadens their understanding of communication across international and cultural contexts.

Year 3: Students strengthen their professional judgment through JOUR 3380: Editing, JOUR 3317: Public Affairs Journalism, JOUR 3314: Broadcast Journalism, and JOUR 3355: Media Ethics. They also study MCOM 3320: Media and Communication Law, while beginning their required interdisciplinary concentration, minor or second major.

Year 4: Advanced coursework allows students to specialize further through JOUR 4370: Advanced Reporting, JOUR 4385: Theories and Practice of Journalism, and electives such as JOUR 3310: Podcasting for Journalists, JOUR 3316: Magazine Writing, JOUR 4306: Sports Journalism, or JOUR 4370: Investigative Journalism. Students complete JOUR 3390: Internship in Journalism, giving them an opportunity to apply their reporting and production skills in a professional setting before graduation.

Focus Areas:

Multiplatform journalism, news writing, reporting, editing, broadcast journalism, digital journalism, podcasting, investigative journalism, public affairs journalism, sports journalism, magazine writing, business journalism, visual journalism, long-form journalism, foreign correspondence, media ethics, media law, digital and social media, political journalism, health and science reporting.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop responsible reporting, writing, editing, fact-checking and news-presentation skills; understand ethical journalism and media law; produce news for print, broadcast, online and social platforms; and apply data journalism, public-record research, social-media information gathering and news-curation techniques.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Texas Tech University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. The official Texas Tech accreditation information does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation for the B.A. in Journalism.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition):

Texas Tech Journalism has a particularly strong alumni legacy, with the university's College of Media & Communication reporting five Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism alumni. Texas Tech University was also ranked No. 96 among U.S. public universities in the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, placing the university in the national top 100 among public institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Texas Tech Journalism is designed around real reporting and production experience, with students working across written, broadcast, online and social media formats before graduation. The College of Media & Communication provides specialized journalism spaces, production equipment, editing software and media facilities, while student media, internships and professional projects allow students to turn classroom skills into portfolio-ready work:

• The Daily Toreador — Journalism students can report and produce stories for Texas Tech's student newspaper, gaining experience with real editorial workflows and deadlines.

• MCTV Newscast — Students can anchor and produce television news, gaining hands-on experience in broadcast journalism and newsroom production.

• KTXT-FM Sports — Students can cover Texas Tech Athletics through radio sports reporting, developing live reporting and sports-media skills.

• West Texas Watchdogs — Journalism students participate in reporting focused on West Texas, including projects using AI and student reporting to provide content to newspapers, radio stations and other media organizations.

• The Hub — Students can produce feature and sports-related journalism for The Hub, expanding their experience beyond traditional print reporting.

• JOUR 3390: Internship in Journalism — The degree includes a required journalism internship, allowing students to gain professional experience and apply their reporting, writing and production skills in a real workplace.

• News Central Lab — This dedicated journalism production lab supports convergence journalism, with high-performance Apple computers, Final Cut, Adobe Design and Production Premium software, four audio booths and equipment for producing TV, radio, print and web content.

• MCTV Television Studio — The full-HD television studio includes a production control room, overhead lighting grid, production equipment, green-screen wall and news desk, allowing students to experience professional-style television production.

• Photo Studio — Students can use the dedicated photo studio for production classes and student projects, with a cyclical background and lighting grid.

• CoMC Computer Labs — Students have access to high-end Mac and PC systems with software including Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Production Premium, Final Cut, Final Draft, Autodesk animation software, Microsoft Office and SPSS/PSAW.

• Equipment Checkout Office — Students enrolled in College of Media & Communication classes can check out audio, video and photography equipment for production projects.

• Texas Tech Library Digital Studios — Students can use Texas Tech Library spaces and technologies, including additional computer labs, equipment checkout and digital studios to support academic and media projects.

• Center for Communication Research — The more than 6,000-square-foot research center provides specialized facilities for studying audience responses to video, audio, online and other media messages.

• Day-One Portfolio Building — CoMC encourages students to begin developing portfolios and professional networks from their first semester, giving Journalism students an early start on building evidence of their skills for future employers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Texas Tech's Journalism B.A. can pursue careers across reporting, broadcasting, editing, digital content, sports media, photojournalism and media management, supported by the program's multiplatform training and professional experience. The required internship, student news organizations, portfolio development and industry-facing opportunities help students graduate with practical work to show employers, while the program's alumni network includes journalists and media leaders at prominent organizations.

Typical career options: Investigative Reporter, Broadcast Producer, Digital News Editor, Sports Journalist

• CoMC Career & Professional Development — Students receive career guidance, internship assistance, resume and portfolio support, and access to job opportunities through the College's career services. CoMC also distributes a weekly Careers Newsletter and directs students to HireRedRaiders for TTU student and graduate opportunities.

• Career Development Conference — The annual CoMC Career Development Conference brings together students, alumni and media professionals through panels, speakers and direct interaction with MCOM professionals, particularly supporting juniors, seniors and recent graduates.

• Internship & Portfolio Development — Journalism students complete JOUR 3390: Internship in Journalism, while CoMC encourages internships because they provide practical knowledge, professional experience and portfolio-building opportunities.

• Industry Connections — Texas Tech journalism students gain professional exposure through organizations and outlets including The Daily Toreador, MCTV, KTXT-FM Sports and West Texas Watchdogs, while the college works with news organizations to provide internships and career-advancing opportunities.

• Alumni Network & Recognition — Journalism alumni include professionals such as Scott Pelley, a CBS 60 Minutes correspondent, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists; the College reports five Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism alumni.

• Employment & Salary Information — Texas Tech's Red Raider GradStats reports an average estimated salary of $68,096 for the College of Media & Communication, based on 5,022 graduates across multiple CoMC majors, including Journalism. This is a college-wide figure rather than a Journalism-specific salary.

• Career Flexibility — The journalism curriculum allows students to add a 15-hour interdisciplinary concentration, 18–21-hour minor, or second major, with options connected to areas such as political journalism, health/science/environmental studies, digital/social media, strategic communication and international/intercultural communication.

• Professional Skills — Students graduate with experience in reporting, editing, fact-checking, media law and ethics, data journalism, public-record research, social-media information gathering and multiplatform news production.

• Long-Term Accreditation Value — Texas Tech's SACSCOC accreditation provides institutional recognition for the university's bachelor's degrees and confirms its authority to award baccalaureate degrees.

• Graduation Preparation — With a 120-credit curriculum, required internship, concentration/minor or second-major option, and hands-on newsroom opportunities, students can graduate with both a broad academic foundation and specialized journalism expertise.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.A., Journalism graduates can continue into Texas Tech's M.A. in Mass Communication or Ph.D. in Media & Communication. These pathways allow students to deepen their knowledge of media research, communication theory, journalism and media leadership, with doctoral study particularly suited to students interested in advanced research or academic careers.