BS Journalism

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prepares students to become versatile journalists who can gather, verify, and communicate news across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. Combining professional journalism training with a broad liberal arts education, the program is ideal for students interested in reporting, multimedia storytelling, investigative journalism, editing, and the evolving role of media in society.

Curriculum Structure:

The four-year curriculum develops students’ journalism skills through foundational courses, practical reporting, specialized media training, and advanced coursework in ethics, law, and research. Students complete general education requirements alongside journalism courses, with opportunities to select skills courses that match their interests.

First Year:

Students build their foundation through JOUR 200: Introduction to Journalism, which introduces reporting principles and the role of journalism in society. They also complete MDIA 100: College of Media Orientation, general education courses, and introductory coursework that strengthens their academic writing, research, and analytical skills.

Second Year:

Students develop practical reporting abilities through JOUR 210: Newsgathering Across Platforms and JOUR 215: Multimedia Reporting. These courses help them gather information, work across different media formats, and communicate stories effectively while continuing their general education studies.

Third Year:

Students explore specialized journalism areas through courses such as JOUR 315: Advanced Public Affairs Reporting, JOUR 335: Audio Journalism, JOUR 340: Video Reporting & Storytelling, and JOUR 410: Data Storytelling for Journalists. They also study journalism context through courses such as JOUR 250: Journalism Ethics & Diversity and JOUR 311: Media Law, strengthening their understanding of professional responsibilities and media practices.

Fourth Year:

Students refine their professional skills through advanced courses such as JOUR 400: Newsroom Experience, JOUR 440: Advanced Documentary Storytelling & Production, JOUR 445: Advanced Television Reporting, or JOUR 483: Investigative Journalism, depending on their selected courses and availability. They complete remaining major, elective, and general education requirements while developing the skills needed for professional journalism and related careers.

Focus Areas:

News reporting, multimedia journalism, investigative journalism, public affairs reporting, data storytelling, audio journalism, video reporting, documentary production, science journalism, business reporting, environmental journalism, journalism ethics, media law, media research, news editing.

Learning Outcomes:

Students learn to apply journalism theory, law, and ethical principles; communicate information clearly across multiple media platforms; use research methods, statistics, and data visualization to evaluate and present information; and apply emerging technologies to create engaging multimedia stories. They also develop an understanding of journalism history, fair representation, source evaluation, and the importance of accuracy, clarity, and responsible reporting.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The BS Journalism emphasizes professional preparation through practical reporting, multimedia production, newsroom experience, and coursework in journalism ethics and media law. The official program information reviewed does not identify a specific professional accreditation for this degree.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings):

The College of Media offers a practical journalism learning environment supported by professional facilities, student media outlets, and connections with local and national news organizations. According to the university’s published major-detail information, 85% of recent Journalism graduates were employed or continuing their education, while the reported average starting annual income was $44,058. These figures are program-level outcomes reported by the university, rather than a current salary guarantee.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience by working in small laboratory classes that function like real newsrooms, producing stories for television, radio, print, and digital platforms. The program offers opportunities to collaborate with faculty, report on local issues, develop multimedia projects, and publish work through student and community media outlets.

These experiences help students build a professional portfolio and understand the pace and expectations of modern journalism:

• Gregory Hall: Students participate in small laboratory classes and practical journalism activities in this academic facility, developing reporting and multimedia skills.

• Richmond Studio: The studio provides a working-newsroom environment where students can gain experience producing broadcast journalism and developing stories for television.

• The Daily Illini: Students can gain practical experience with the university’s independent student newspaper by working on reporting, writing, editing, and other newsroom activities.

• Illinois Public Media: Students have opportunities to produce stories for the university’s public radio and television outlet, gaining experience in broadcast and multimedia journalism.

• UI7: Stories produced by journalism students can be broadcast on this university-operated public-access educational cable television channel, allowing students to experience television news production.

• CU-CitizenAccess: Students can contribute to this community-focused online news and information project, which emphasizes investigative and enterprise reporting on social, justice, and economic issues.

• The News-Gazette: Student stories are routinely published in this local newspaper serving the Champaign-Urbana community, providing exposure to professional local journalism.

• Newsroom Experience (JOUR 400): Students can develop professional newsroom skills through advanced practical coursework, subject to course availability and prerequisites.

• Multimedia and Production Facilities: The College of Media provides laboratories for reporting, editing, design, and multimedia journalism, along with radio, television, and film editing suites and a television studio.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS Journalism prepares graduates for careers in news organizations, broadcasting, digital media, corporate communications, and public relations. Students can pursue roles such as investigative journalist, multimedia storyteller, television and radio producer, and communications specialist, using their reporting, writing, editing, and multimedia skills in different professional environments.

Students can build their career readiness through practical experiences, professional connections, and the university’s career resources:

• University Career Services: Students can access career exploration, job-search guidance, resume support, interview preparation, and career events through the university’s career development resources.

• Internships and newsroom experience: Practical journalism coursework and opportunities to work with student and community media outlets help students gain experience relevant to professional newsrooms.

• Industry connections: The program’s links with media outlets such as Illinois Public Media, The News-Gazette, and other local and national organizations expose students to different professional journalism environments.

• Graduate employment outcomes: The university reports that 85% of recent Journalism graduates were employed or continuing their education, including 71% employed after graduation and 14% pursuing graduate study.

• Starting salary: The university reports an average starting annual income of $44,058 for Journalism graduates in its published program outcomes. Individual salaries can vary by role, location, employer, and experience.

• Graduate destinations: Reported employer destinations include WCIA, Epic Systems, Digitas, Cobalt Digital, NBCUniversal, WGN-TV, WFRV, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Professional accreditation: The official program information reviewed does not specify a separate professional accreditation for the BS Journalism. Students develop transferable professional skills through coursework in journalism ethics, media law, reporting, and multimedia production.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue postgraduate study in journalism, communication, media studies, digital media, public relations, or related disciplines. Students interested in specialized reporting can also explore graduate programs in science journalism, data journalism, documentary production, or media research, depending on their academic and professional interests.