BA in Journalism

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Colorado Boulder

Program Overview

The BA in Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder prepares students to investigate important issues, verify information, conduct interviews and create compelling stories across print, digital, audio, video, social media, television and radio. It is a strong choice for students who want a hands-on, multimedia journalism education, with three tracks—Multimedia Journalism, Broadcast Journalism and Journalism Studies—plus an 18-credit secondary area of study that lets students develop expertise in another subject.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with JRNL 1000 Principles of Journalism and Networked Communication, exploring journalism's history, responsibilities, ethics, reporting and role in democracy. Alongside this foundation, students complete writing, quantitative thinking and CMDI core coursework, establishing the communication and analytical skills needed for later reporting work.

Year 2:

The program becomes more practical through JRNL 2000 Reporting and Writing and JRNL 2001 Multimedia Reporting Technologies, where students learn news writing, reporting conventions and technologies for gathering, recording, editing and producing stories. Students also begin their secondary area of study and choose journalism electives that can introduce areas such as data journalism, photojournalism or digital publishing.

Year 3:

Students move into advanced professional and ethical practice with JRNL 3651 Media Law and Ethics, an upper-division reporting course and JRNL 4931 Internship. Depending on their interests, they can explore areas such as video news reporting, audio storytelling and podcasting, data journalism, sports reporting or social identity and journalism.

Year 4:

Students refine their specialization through advanced journalism electives and complete the program's major practical experience. The sample plan culminates in JRNL 4572 News Corps, while students following the Broadcast Journalism track can complete JRNL 4624 NewsTeam and Journalism Studies students can choose JRNL 4720 Journalism Studies Capstone Seminar, bringing together reporting, research, storytelling and professional production skills.

Focus Areas:

Multimedia journalism, broadcast journalism, journalism studies, reporting and writing, investigative journalism, data journalism, photojournalism, digital publishing, video news, audio storytelling, podcasting, sports journalism, media law and ethics, social media storytelling, political reporting, international media, diverse populations, environmental journalism, journalism history, news and public perception, visual culture.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply freedom-of-speech and press principles, communicate across diverse cultural contexts, present information effectively through appropriate technologies, write clearly for different audiences, work ethically toward truth and accuracy, conduct research and evaluate information critically, apply basic numerical and statistical concepts, assess their own and others' work, and use professional journalism tools and technologies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Department of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), a specialized professional accreditation that evaluates journalism programs for educational quality, faculty and resources. CU Boulder reports that its journalism program has received full ACEJMC reaccreditation, giving the degree strong alignment with established professional journalism education standards.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

CU Boulder is ranked No. 46 among U.S. public universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking. The university also reports 130+ organizations employing CMDI graduates, including National Geographic, Condé Nast, Microsoft, NPR and NBC, while journalism alumni include Pulitzer, Murrow and Peabody award winners.

CU Boulder also reports a $60,280 median annual salary for news analysts, reporters and journalists, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 data. Common career opportunities identified by the university include broadcast journalist, columnist, multimedia producer, news writer, photojournalist, reporter, television anchor and videographer.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Journalism at CU Boulder is built around the idea that journalism is best learned by doing. Students develop professional portfolios containing video, audio, text, photography and graphic work, then put those skills into practice through student media, internships, live broadcasts, investigative reporting and multimedia projects. The department provides access to a state-of-the-art multi-platform Media Innovation Center, equipment and computer labs, podcast booths, broadcasting studios and student media organizations.

• JRNL 2001 – Multimedia Reporting Technologies: Students learn technologies for news gathering, recording, editing and producing stories across different media formats.

• CU News Corps: This advanced capstone gives students the opportunity to investigate a single subject and produce an in-depth text or multimedia explanatory/investigative story for publication in professional media. Students work with professional journalists and their work can reach local and national media outlets.

• NewsTeam Boulder: Journalism students produce a professional-quality live newscast covering campus, city and county news, gaining experience in reporting, on-camera interviews, production and broadcast operations.

• The Bold: This student-led 24/7 news organization provides opportunities to practice reporting, fact-checking and storytelling, with experienced student mentors and professional advisers supporting the work.

• Sko Buffs Sports: Students shoot and edit their own footage, write scripts, attend sporting events and press conferences, and interview athletes and coaches, creating practical sports-broadcasting experience.

• CU Independent and Radio 1190: Students can develop work for online news and radio platforms while gaining experience in different forms of student media production.

• JRNL 4931 – Internship: The BA's sample four-year plan includes a required journalism internship, giving students an opportunity to gain supervised professional experience before graduation.

• CMDI Career & Internship Network: Journalism students can pursue internships with newspapers, magazines, broadcast networks, websites and social media companies, while CMDI Career Services provides internship support and professional development.

• CMDI in D.C.: Eligible juniors and seniors can spend a semester in Washington, D.C., combining CU Boulder coursework with a personalized professional internship in fields such as journalism, media production, communications and politics.

• Center for Environmental Journalism: Students interested in environmental reporting can connect with a center focused on journalism, environmental issues and communication, providing an especially valuable setting for exploring science and environmental storytelling.

• Media Innovation Center and Equipment Resources: CMDI provides access to specialized creative resources including broadcasting studios, podcasting booths, an immersive media lab, equipment vaults, cameras, audio equipment and lighting equipment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Journalism prepares graduates for an evolving media industry where employers increasingly value journalists who can report, write, edit and produce content across multiple platforms. CU Boulder identifies opportunities including broadcast journalist, columnist, multimedia producer, news writer, photojournalist, reporter, television anchor and videographer, while the program's alumni network includes journalists and media professionals working at organizations such as The Washington Post, NBC, The New York Times, NPR, The Denver Post and The Colorado Sun.

Typical job roles: Journalist, Multimedia Producer, News Writer, Broadcast Journalist.

Students can strengthen their career transition through CU Boulder's professional support and industry connections:

• CMDI Career Services: Students receive one-on-one career advising, résumé reviews, workshops, career fairs, mock interviews and access to internship and job opportunities.

• Extensive Employer Network: CMDI works with employers as educational partners, with organizations mentoring students, supervising interns and evaluating their professional development.

• Handshake: Students can use CU Boulder's Handshake platform to find internships, jobs and professional opportunities, while CMDI supports students through the application and internship process.

• Major Media Connections: CU Boulder journalism alumni and graduates have worked at The Washington Post, NBC, The New York Times, NPR, The Denver Post, The Colorado Sun and Boulder Daily Camera, providing a strong professional network across national and regional media.

• Employment & Salary Benchmark: CU Boulder lists $60,280 as the median annual salary for news analysts, reporters and journalists, based on 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is an occupation-level figure rather than a CU Boulder Journalism-specific graduate salary.

• Graduation and Retention Outcomes: CU Boulder's journalism accreditation data reports a 95% retention rate in the Journalism program for the 2025 freshman cohort, with 96% retained at CU Boulder in Journalism or another program.

• ACEJMC Accreditation: The program's ACEJMC accreditation provides long-term professional value by demonstrating that the journalism curriculum meets recognized standards for ethics, reporting, research, technology, diversity and professional preparation.

• Professional Portfolio: Students graduate with opportunities to build substantial multimedia portfolios through News Corps, NewsTeam, student media, internships and other reporting projects, giving employers tangible evidence of their journalism skills.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into CU Boulder's MA in Journalism, which offers Professional Practice and Area of Expertise options and can be completed in as little as two semesters plus a summer in the professional practice option. Students interested in academic research can progress toward the PhD in Journalism Studies, while related graduate pathways include communication, media studies, strategic communication and media research programs within CMDI.