Broadcast Journalism, B.A.J.M.C.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Carolina

Program Overview

The Broadcast Journalism, B.A.J.M.C. at the University of South Carolina is designed for students who want to report, produce and present news across television, digital and other broadcast platforms, with opportunities to cover major news and sporting events. Students build professional skills in reporting, writing, video production, live broadcasting, public speaking and storytelling while learning from experienced journalism professionals and completing substantial hands-on newsroom work.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in journalism and communication through courses such as JOUR 101 Media and Society, JOUR 204 Principles of Journalism and JOUR 291 Writing for Mass Communications. They also develop analytical and communication skills through statistics, composition and the Carolina Core, while beginning to understand how journalism operates within society.

Year 2: Students begin moving from foundational knowledge toward practical reporting and production, choosing journalism electives that allow them to explore areas such as JOUR 371 Social Media and Mobile Journalism, JOUR 392 Podcasting and Audio Production and JOUR 443 Sports Announcing. This stage gives students greater flexibility to shape their studies around broadcast, digital, sports and multimedia interests.

Year 3: Coursework becomes increasingly specialized, with options such as JOUR 245 Live Television Sports Production, JOUR 444 Multimedia Sports Storytelling, JOUR 472/472L Power Producing and Power Producing Lab and JOUR 475 Special Topics in Nonfiction Storytelling with Emerging Technologies. Students can strengthen production, storytelling, editing, reporting and emerging-media skills while building a portfolio suited to professional broadcasting.

Year 4: The program culminates in JOUR 485 Broadcast Journalism Capstone, a substantial 12-credit capstone experience focused on advanced broadcast journalism. Students can combine this with professional-practice and conceptual electives such as JOUR 574 Data Journalism, JOUR 576 Reporting Public Affairs or JOUR 472/472L Power Producing and Power Producing Lab, preparing them to enter professional newsrooms and production environments.

Focus Areas:

Broadcast journalism, television news, live broadcasting, video production, reporting and writing, news anchoring, sports broadcasting, multimedia storytelling, podcasting and audio production, social media and mobile journalism, investigative and public-affairs reporting, digital journalism, emerging technologies, news production.

Learning Outcomes:

Students learn to understand journalism and mass communication in a global society; use appropriate tools and technologies to produce, edit and present visual, aural and textual media; apply statistical concepts; research and gather information; write and present professional news; evaluate work for accuracy, fairness, clarity and correctness; and understand the ethical and legal responsibilities of media professionals.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Broadcast Journalism, B.A.J.M.C. is part of the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, whose programs are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The university’s accreditation records list Broadcast Journalism as accredited, with the most recent review in Fall 2023 and the next review scheduled for Fall 2030.

Reputation (Employability & Career Outcomes):

USC provides a dedicated career plan for Broadcast Journalism showing an average annual salary of $75,557 for USC B.A.J.M.C. Broadcast Journalism graduates 5–10 years after graduation. The university also highlights alumni working at major networks and organizations including ABC, BET, CBS, CNN, ESPN, FOX, NBC, National Geographic and NFL Films, demonstrating the strength of the program’s professional network.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This program is built around learning by doing, giving students opportunities to report real stories, work with professional broadcast equipment, produce video and participate in live news production. The experience becomes especially intensive through the senior newsroom and capstone, while dedicated studios, computer labs, Adobe Creative Cloud access and journalism equipment help students develop the technical skills expected in modern broadcast environments.

• Senior Semester Newsroom: Students help produce a daily news program that is run entirely by students, creating an authentic newsroom environment for reporting, production, teamwork and deadline-driven work.

• JOUR 485 Broadcast Journalism Capstone: The 12-credit capstone provides an intensive final-stage broadcast journalism experience integrating reporting, production and professional media skills.

• Kennedy Greenhouse Studio: Students have access to a professional educational broadcast studio featuring Sony HXC-D70H cameras, a Panasonic PTZ camera, greenscreen, news desk, interview set and outdoor production area.

• Professional Control Room: The studio includes a Ross Carbonite video switcher, QSC audio console, wireless communication headsets and microphones, Mac computers for graphics and prompting, and professional recording equipment.

• Five School Computer Labs: CIC students have access to five computer labs housed within the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, supporting production, editing and other digital coursework.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Undergraduate CIC majors receive free access to Adobe Creative Cloud both on and off campus, supporting professional digital-media and editing workflows.

• Broadcast Equipment: Journalism students work with professional cameras and production equipment, supporting hands-on video shooting, editing and broadcast assignments.

• Live Television Sports Production: Students can gain specialized production experience through JOUR 245, while JOUR 443 Sports Announcing and JOUR 444 Multimedia Sports Storytelling provide additional sports-media opportunities.

• Power Producing Lab: JOUR 472/472L provides practical exposure to television news producing and the production process in a real-world, hands-on environment.

• Internships: USC provides internship resources for students seeking experience in major television markets, professional sports organizations or their hometown, helping students transition from classroom production to professional work.

• Major News Events: Students have opportunities to work at significant news events as part of their class experience, giving them exposure to the pace and demands of professional journalism.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can enter television, film, communications and other media environments as broadcast journalists, producers, sports broadcasters or documentary filmmakers. USC’s combination of a professional newsroom, internships, industry-connected faculty and alumni working across major networks gives students opportunities to graduate with both practical production experience and a professional network.

Typical career directions include: Broadcast Producer, Television News Reporter, Sports Broadcaster, Multimedia News Producer.

• CIC Career Coaching: Students can work with College of Information and Communications career coaches to clarify career goals, develop professional documents, plan job searches and prepare for interviews.

• Handshake & Big Interview: USC’s career resources include Handshake for career opportunities and Big Interview for interview preparation and practice.

• Career Fairs & Employer Connections: The CIC career plan encourages students to attend CIC career fairs, connect with employers and explore leading Broadcast Journalism employers throughout their degree.

• Internship Network: Students can pursue internships in major television markets, professional sports teams and local organizations, creating opportunities to build professional experience before graduation.

• Major Network Alumni: USC Broadcast Journalism graduates work in front of and behind the camera at ABC, BET, CBS, CNN, ESPN, FOX and NBC, alongside alumni connections at National Geographic and NFL Films.

• Salary Outcome: USC’s Gamecock GradStats reports an average annual salary of $75,557 for Broadcast Journalism B.A.J.M.C. graduates 5–10 years after graduation.

• ACEJMC Accreditation: The program’s ACEJMC accreditation provides a recognized quality benchmark for journalism and mass-communication education and can strengthen the professional value of the degree.

• Professional Portfolio: Through capstone work, newsroom production, reporting and internships, students can graduate with tangible broadcast and multimedia work that can support applications to media employers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A.J.M.C., students can pursue graduate study in areas such as journalism, mass communication, media, public administration, communications or related fields. USC also highlights postgraduate pathways including the Master of Journalism and Mass Communications, while students interested in broader professional directions can pursue graduate programs such as public administration or law.