Journalism (BA)

UConn Journalism emphasizes learning through actual journalism production, giving students opportunities to report, interview, write, photograph, record, edit and publish content. Students work with professional equipment, dedicated computer labs, multimedia resources and real media organizations while developing a portfolio that can support their transition into the journalism industry:

• Oak Hall Computer Labs — Journalism writing and editing courses are taught in dedicated computer labs, providing students with a professional environment for producing and editing journalism work.

• Journalism Department Studio — The department's studio supports broadcast journalism activities and gives students opportunities to develop production and on-camera skills.

• Mobile Journalism Equipment — Students use mobile technology for journalism production, with cameras and microphones available for checkout through the department.

• Multimedia DSLR Kit — Students can work with DSLR equipment capable of video and audio recording, along with portable storage and microphones for multimedia journalism.

• JOUR 4091 – Supervised Field Internship — Students report and write for newspapers, radio and television news departments, online publications and other professional outlets under the supervision of working professionals. A three-credit internship involves 195 hours in the field.

• University Communications Internship — Students can attend events, interview faculty and students, write news stories to deadlines and create content incorporating photography and multimedia.

• Student Media — Students can gain practical experience through outlets including The Daily Campus, WHUS Radio, UCTV and UConn Nutmeg Publishing.

• Professional Portfolio — Portfolio courses help students develop a professional website featuring written work, photography, video, data visualization and multimedia packages, while also refining their resume.

• Professional Publication Opportunities — Students can pursue publication of their journalism work through local, regional and national news organizations, helping them build professional work samples before graduation.

• Journalism Internship & Job Fairs — Students can connect with media employers and recruiters through journalism career and internship events involving organizations such as NBC Connecticut, FOX61, WFSB News, Hearst Connecticut and The Connecticut Mirror.

The Journalism BA prepares graduates for careers across traditional news organizations, broadcast media, digital journalism and multimedia communication. Students graduate with reporting experience, industry exposure and a professional portfolio that can support applications for journalism and media positions.

Possible career paths: Reporter, News Editor, Broadcast Journalist, Multimedia Journalist

• Career Coaching & Job Preparation — UConn's Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills provides career coaching, career fairs, employer events, internship resources, resume support, interview preparation and job-search assistance.

• Arts, Media & Communication Career Community — Students can access media-focused career resources, networking opportunities, internships and employment information.

• Professional Industry Connections — The Journalism Professional Advisory Committee connects the department with public, private and nonprofit journalism sectors and provides insight into professional and industry trends.

• Industry Experience Before Graduation — Students have opportunities to intern with organizations such as New England Cable News, CTNewsJunkie, The New Haven Register, WABC TV, The Hartford Business Journal, FoxCT, WTNH and The Hartford Courant.

• Employment & Further Study Outcomes — UConn reported a 91% positive outcomes rate for its 2025 undergraduate graduates six months after graduation, with 56% employed and 30% continuing their education.

• Starting Salary — UConn reported an average starting salary of $67,500 for its 2024–25 undergraduate graduates who used career services. This is a university-wide figure rather than a Journalism-specific salary.

• Journalism Graduation Outcomes — Among students who entered the Journalism major in 2021–22, 93.5% graduated from UConn and 89% graduated as Journalism majors. More than half completed a second major or second degree.

• Second-Major Opportunities — Journalism students can complement their degree with subjects such as Political Science, Economics, History, Sociology, Environmental Studies, Biology, Statistics or a foreign language, helping them develop expertise for specialized reporting.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into graduate study in areas such as communication, media, public policy, political science, law or other specialized fields. UConn's Journalism Department does not offer graduate courses, so students interested in advanced journalism study would need to pursue an appropriate graduate pathway elsewhere.