Journalism, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Oklahoma

Program Overview

The Journalism, B.S. at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College is designed for students who enjoy reporting, writing, current affairs, digital storytelling, photography and multimedia production, with a strong emphasis on practical preparation for modern media careers. Students build skills across writing, interviewing, visual and digital reporting, cross-platform storytelling, media law and ethics while completing a required minor that can broaden their professional focus.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin with the foundations of media and communication through JMC 1013 Introduction to Media and JMC 2033 Media Writing & Storytelling, while also completing university-level composition, government, mathematics and language study. This year establishes the writing, storytelling and media-awareness skills needed for more specialized journalism work.

Year 2: Students move into practical journalism through JMC 3011 Practicum and JMC 3663 Visual Reporting, alongside foundational journalism courses and general education. The practicum introduces students to applied media work, while visual reporting develops the ability to communicate stories through images and other visual formats.

Year 3: Students develop stronger reporting and digital skills through JMC 3013 Intermediate Cross-Platform Reporting, JMC 3683 Digital Reporting and JMC 4013 Essential Reporting. They also study JMC 4833 Journalism Ethics, giving them a stronger understanding of professional standards while learning to report stories across multiple platforms.

Year 4: Advanced study focuses on professional judgment, leadership and responsible journalism through JMC 4033 Advancing Cultural Proficiency in Media Leadership, JMC 4183 Advanced Cross-Platform Reporting, JMC 4813 Media Law and the capstone JMC 4863 Journalism, Ethics and Democracy. Students can also choose advanced electives such as Data Journalism, Television News, Photojournalism, Long Form Storytelling, Backpack Reporting and Multimedia Content Management to tailor the degree to their career goals.

Focus Areas:

Cross-platform journalism, digital reporting, visual reporting, multimedia storytelling, news writing and editing, interviewing, data journalism, photojournalism, television news, community journalism, long-form storytelling, media law, journalism ethics, social media strategies, media leadership.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop information-gathering and verification skills, professional writing and editing, interviewing, visual and digital storytelling, cross-platform reporting, data interpretation, multimedia production, ethical decision-making, legal awareness, critical thinking, cultural awareness, teamwork and professional communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is a founding member of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) and has maintained continuous accreditation since 1948, providing a long-standing professional quality benchmark for journalism education.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

The University of Oklahoma currently identifies Gaylord College as the No. 1 media program in the nation in 2026 according to the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), based on student achievement. The college also reports rankings of No. 2 in News, No. 3 in Scriptwriting, No. 3 in Documentary and No. 4 in Sports, giving Journalism students access to a nationally recognized media environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Journalism students at Gaylord College gain substantial practical experience through professional-style facilities, student media, practicum opportunities, internships, multimedia production and journalism organizations. Gaylord Hall provides more than 100,000 square feet of classroom, studio and computer-lab space, while students can work with broadcast facilities, editing bays, multimedia labs, Apple technology and a large collection of cameras and production equipment. These resources allow students to turn reporting and storytelling concepts into professional-quality work:

• Gaylord Hall: Students learn in a 100,000-square-foot media facility containing classrooms, computer labs, broadcast facilities, multimedia spaces and video-editing resources.

• Digital Broadcast Studios: Two complete digital broadcast studios provide an environment for students interested in television, broadcast journalism and multimedia production.

• Newsroom Convergence Lab: Students can develop cross-platform journalism skills in a dedicated environment designed around modern newsroom workflows.

• Open Multimedia Labs: Two state-of-the-art multimedia labs support digital storytelling, collaborative production and media coursework.

• Video-Editing Bays: Dedicated editing bays allow students to develop practical video-production and post-production skills.

• Apple Distinguished Program: Gaylord is recognized as the first collegiate journalism program in the United States to receive Apple Distinguished Program status, with Apple hardware, software and servers integrated throughout the building and curriculum.

• The Oklahoma Daily: Students can work with the award-winning student newspaper, gaining experience in reporting, editing, photography and publishing before graduation.

• OU Nightly: Students can participate in a student-produced broadcast and develop practical skills in television journalism, reporting, production and storytelling.

• Sooner Sports Pad: Students interested in sports media can gain experience producing sports-focused content and working in a professional-style media environment.

• JMC Practicum: JMC 3011 Practicum provides an applied component within the Journalism curriculum, allowing students to connect academic learning with practical media work.

• Internships: Gaylord places strong emphasis on internships, and its alumni network provides opportunities for students to connect with professional organizations and media employers.

• Study Abroad & Media Trips: Journalism students can participate in programs such as the British Media Study Abroad in the United Kingdom, Summer in Washington, D.C., the Professional Media Program in Arezzo, Italy, and media-focused trips to cities including New York, Dallas, Austin and San Francisco.

• Student Organizations: Students can gain additional experience through organizations and opportunities such as the Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Indigenous Journalists Association and other Gaylord student media programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Journalism, B.S. prepares graduates for a wide range of media careers by combining reporting, writing, digital production, visual communication and professional practice. OU identifies career possibilities across journalism, broadcasting, publishing, photography and digital media, while Gaylord's alumni network, career events, internships and industry-focused job board help students build connections before graduation.

Typical career directions include: Digital News Producer, Investigative Journalist, Multimedia Editor, Broadcast News Producer.

• Gaylord Connect: Students can access career coaching, career labs, events and leadership-development opportunities specifically designed for Gaylord students.

• OU Career Center: Students receive university-wide support with resumes, interviews, career fairs, job searches and employer connections.

• Gaylord Job & Internship Board: The college maintains a dedicated job board featuring journalism, media, communication and creative-industry opportunities, including positions with organizations such as KWTV, KOCB/KOKH, Griffin Media and the Mississippi Free Press.

• Career Fairs: The annual Gaylord College Career Fair gives students the opportunity to meet employers and discuss internships and full-time positions across media and communication fields.

• Professional Industry Opportunities: Current listings include internships with organizations such as Dow Jones, The Washington Post, KOCO and other media and communication employers.

• Alumni Network: Gaylord highlights an extensive alumni network in journalism and notes that alumni support students through mentoring, professional connections and internship opportunities.

• National Recognition: Gaylord College was ranked the No. 1 media program in the nation in 2026 by the Broadcast Education Association, reinforcing the college's strong national profile in media education.

• Accreditation Value: Continuous ACEJMC accreditation since 1948 provides a long-standing professional benchmark that can strengthen the academic and industry credibility of the journalism degree.

• Career Flexibility: The curriculum's cross-platform, digital, visual, data and multimedia components allow graduates to pursue careers beyond traditional newspapers, including digital newsrooms, television, online media, sports media and multimedia production.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in journalism, mass communication, strategic communication, media and related fields. At the University of Oklahoma, relevant pathways include the M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication, M.A. in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy, graduate certificates in areas such as Media Analytics, Media Management and Social Media Marketing, and the Ph.D. in Mass Communication. OU also offers a B.S./M.A. Journalism accelerated pathway, allowing qualified students to combine undergraduate and graduate study.