Digital Communication and Multimedia Journalism B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Florida

Program Overview

The B.A. in Digital Communication and Multimedia Journalism at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus combines journalism, digital technology and community-focused storytelling, making it a strong choice for students who want to create content across digital, print and broadcast platforms. Students develop practical skills in reporting, photography, video production, social media, podcasting, visual design, data storytelling, interviewing and online research while building a professional body of work.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin by developing the fundamentals of mass communication, writing and visual communication through courses such as MMC 2100 Writing for the Mass Media, MMC 3602 Mass Communication and Society and VIC 3001 Introduction to Visual Communication. Together, these courses establish the writing, media-literacy and visual storytelling foundation needed for more advanced journalism and digital production work.

Year 2: Students progress into hands-on journalism and multimedia work through courses such as JOU 2100 Beginning Reporting, MMC 4120 Media Convergence and MMC 3140 Web Publishing. This stage moves students from basic communication skills into reporting across platforms, digital photography, audio, web publishing and the development of stories for contemporary media environments.

Year 3: Students can deepen their professional storytelling abilities through courses such as JOU 4188 Neighborhood News Bureau, MMC 4131 Video Storytelling and MMC 4420 Research Methods in Mass Communications. The combination of community reporting, video production and research gives students opportunities to create stronger journalism pieces while learning how to investigate, verify and communicate information effectively.

Year 4: Advanced study can bring together journalism, digital production and professional experience through options such as MMC 4503 Literary Journalism, MMC 4936 Selected Topics in Mass Communications Studies and MMC 4945 Media Internship-Seminar. Students can use this stage to refine their portfolios, gain professional experience and prepare for careers that increasingly require journalists to work across multiple platforms.

Focus Areas:

Digital journalism, multimedia storytelling, journalistic writing, photography, video production, social media strategy, podcast production, broadcasting, visual design, data storytelling, on-camera interviewing, web publishing, media convergence, community journalism, research, media law and ethics.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop professional reporting and writing skills, visual and digital storytelling abilities, multimedia production skills, research and verification techniques, social-media communication, data-driven storytelling, ethical and legal awareness, community engagement, critical thinking and the ability to produce content for digital, print and broadcast platforms.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The B.A. in Digital Communication and Multimedia Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), giving the program an important professional quality benchmark in journalism and mass-communication education.

Reputation (Employability & Official Outcomes):

USF’s department reports 153 students enrolled in the B.A. in Digital Communication & Multimedia Journalism in 2025–26 and a 85.0% fall-to-fall retention rate for the 2024–25 FTIC DCM Journalism cohort. The department also reports a 68.8% four-year graduation rate for the 2022 FTIC DCM cohort.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

USF gives students several ways to move beyond classroom assignments and work with professional media tools, community news organizations and real audiences. Students have access to dedicated multimedia facilities, cameras, editing and design resources, student publications, a working community newsroom and for-credit internships, allowing them to build the clips, portfolio and professional experience employers look for.

These opportunities make the program particularly practical for students who want to graduate with published work and experience across multiple media formats:

• Neighborhood News Bureau: Students can work in a functioning community newsroom covering St. Petersburg neighborhoods, producing stories and features that can be used by local and regional media organizations.

• The Crow’s Nest: The student newspaper gives students opportunities to write, report, photograph and gain published clips, with paid staff positions and contributor opportunities available each semester.

• Bullcast: The student-produced webcast provides experience with live production, cameras, audio equipment, editing and behind-the-scenes broadcasting, helping students apply their classroom video and multimedia skills in a real production environment.

• VideoWorks Production Studio: The department’s in-house production studio supports professional-quality videography, webcasting, editing and digital content production and includes a teleprompter.

• MAC Lab: The high-tech graphics and design lab contains 20 fully equipped iMac computers used for photojournalism, writing, editing and visual communication classes.

• Multimedia Cameras: Students can access 10 digital still cameras and 10 video cameras for multimedia projects, with equipment available through the campus library.

• Adobe Portfolio: Students receive complimentary access to Adobe Portfolio, allowing them to organize articles, photographs and other media into a professional online presence.

• For-Credit Internships: Students can complete internships involving print, radio/television, online journalism, visual journalism, media design and digital communication, with the department requiring 120 hours of meaningful journalism-related experience for a semester internship.

• Tampa Bay Times Internship: USF students have access to a specific Tampa Bay Times internship opportunity covering areas such as news, sports, life and culture, and engagement, with selected students completing 120 hours for academic credit.

• WUSF Public Media: The department works alongside WUSF Public Media, whose recording studio supports news and event coverage; Health News Florida has also provided internship opportunities for students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can move into journalism, digital media, marketing, public relations and other communication-focused careers, with USF specifically identifying roles such as journalist, writer, video producer, marketing professional, PR analyst, on-air reporter, researcher and podcaster. Alumni have gone on to work with organizations including the Tampa Bay Times, The Washington Post, Poynter Institute for Media Studies, American Heart Association, Tampa Bay Rays and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Typical career directions include: Digital Journalist, Multimedia Producer, Video Content Producer, Social Media Strategist.

• USF Career Services & Handshake: Students are encouraged to use the USF Career Center’s Handshake platform to find internships and job opportunities, while the university’s broader career-readiness initiative connects experiential learning with employment preparation.

• Professional Advising: Journalism faculty advise students on internships, professional portfolios, student-media involvement, equipment and career development, while each adviser typically works with a cohort of 20–30 undergraduate students.

• Media Industry Connections: Internship opportunities with organizations such as the Tampa Bay Times, along with opportunities through WUSF Public Media and the Neighborhood News Bureau, allow students to gain experience in professional media environments.

• Professional Portfolio Development: Students are encouraged to build an online presence early by organizing articles, photographs and multimedia work, with Adobe Portfolio available to help create a professional website.

• Published Work: Coursework and student-media opportunities allow students to develop clips and published material before graduation, strengthening their portfolio for employment or further study.

• Program Retention: USF’s 2026 department statistics show a 85.0% fall-to-fall retention rate for the 2024–25 FTIC Digital Communication & Multimedia Journalism cohort.

• Career & Graduate Outcomes Data: USF maintains program-level outcomes dashboards covering career opportunities, employment projections and current employment, as well as First Destination Survey data covering employment, salary and continuing education.

• Accreditation Value: ACEJMC accreditation provides a recognized professional benchmark for journalism and mass-communication education and reinforces the program’s industry orientation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in journalism, digital journalism, communication, media studies, public relations, marketing or related fields. At USF, a particularly relevant pathway is the M.A. in Digital Journalism and Design, a 30-credit graduate program that is fully online and can be completed in as little as three semesters, allowing students to build on their undergraduate multimedia and journalism experience while developing advanced digital journalism, design and online entrepreneurship skills.