Journalism (BA)

UCF's Journalism B.A. is designed to move students beyond classroom theory and into professional journalism practice. Students are strongly encouraged to work for a student news outlet, can complete approved internships with news organizations, and must build a representative portfolio before graduation; the program also gives students opportunities to develop reporting, editing, photography, video and multimedia skills across their chosen track. Students can turn these academic skills into practical journalism experience through:

• Student News Outlets: UCF strongly recommends that Journalism majors work for a student news outlet, giving them opportunities to report, edit and publish work in a real editorial environment.

• Digital News Track: JOU 3101C – News Reporting, JOU 3201 – Editing I and JOU 4342C – Multimedia Journalism develop reporting, editing and multimedia storytelling skills for digital publications.

• Electronic News Track: RTV 3301 – Electronic Journalism I, RTV 3304 – Electronic Journalism II and RTV 3321C – Electronic News Gathering provide focused preparation for broadcast reporting and electronic news production.

• News Producing: JOU 3320 – News Producing gives students experience with the organization and production of news content.

• Multimedia Journalism: JOU 4342C – Multimedia Journalism lets students combine reporting with visual and digital storytelling techniques.

• Audio & Podcasting: RTV 3553 – Audio Reporting & Podcasting provides experience in audio-based journalism and emerging news formats.

• Webcasting: RTV 4591C – Webcasting I introduces students to online broadcast content and web-based news production.

• Photojournalism: PGY 3610C – Photojournalism I allows students to develop visual reporting skills alongside their written journalism abilities.

• Journalism Internships: Students can earn academic credit through approved internships with different employers, and UCF identifies organizations such as Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal and WKMG-TV as examples of media outlets where Journalism students intern.

• Professional Portfolio: Before graduation, students must submit a representative portfolio for faculty approval, with at least 75% of the work produced while at UCF, helping students graduate with material they can present to employers.

• International Media Experience: Students can explore international perspectives through MMC 4300 – International Media, MMC 4303 – Hispanics in Media in the U.S., or an NSCM-approved study-abroad course.

• Industry Exposure: UCF's Nicholson School emphasizes its relationships with media-industry partners and Orlando's position as a Top 20 media market, giving students opportunities to connect academic journalism training with the professional media environment.

The Journalism B.A. prepares graduates for careers across digital publishing, broadcast journalism, multimedia reporting, editing and news production. Because students can specialize in either Digital News or Electronic News and graduate with professional portfolio work and internship experience, the degree provides flexibility for students entering a rapidly changing media industry.

Potential career options: Digital News Producer, Investigative Journalist, Multimedia Editor, Broadcast News Producer

• Career Pathways: The Nicholson School provides career exploration resources that allow students and alumni to examine job demand, employment trends, average annual earnings, top employers, required education and in-demand skills for potential careers.

• Internship Experience: UCF's Journalism internships connect students with professional media organizations, including opportunities at Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal and WKMG-TV, helping students gain newsroom experience before graduation.

• Orlando Media Market: UCF highlights Orlando as a Top 20 media market and notes robust relationships with media-industry partners, creating a valuable professional environment for aspiring journalists.

• Student Media Experience: Working with student news outlets allows students to build published or broadcast work while developing the professional habits expected in journalism.

• Portfolio Development: The required faculty-approved portfolio ensures students leave UCF with a substantial collection of representative work, with at least 75% produced during their time at UCF.

• Professional Ethics: Following the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics reinforces professional standards that remain valuable throughout a journalism career.

• Graduation Preparation: Students must successfully complete a Journalism capstone and meet UCF's major GPA and residency requirements, ensuring that graduates complete substantial upper-level study in journalism and communication.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into postgraduate study in communication, journalism, media, public relations, strategic communication and related fields. UCF's Nicholson School offers graduate-level study in Communication, providing a pathway for students interested in advanced professional preparation, research or academic careers.