BA in Journalism Broadcast Journalism

Broadcast Journalism at Wayne State is particularly hands-on, with students learning how to write, report, perform, record, edit, and produce news rather than focusing only on journalism theory. The curriculum provides experience with broadcast production, television news, digital editing, audio, visual storytelling, and professional internships, while Detroit’s media environment gives students opportunities to connect their academic training with the professional industry:

• COM 2230 Broadcasting: Students produce, anchor, and edit a newscast while developing broadcast news-writing, reporting, performance, audio, and editing skills. The course also requires students to create a final audition air check for their developing portfolio.

• COM 5381 TV News Reporting and Digital Editing: Students work with location video and sound, interviewing, writing, editing, and on-camera presentation to create television news and feature stories.

• COM 5610 Advanced TV Production: Students can develop professional production experience through roles such as producer, technical director, teleprompter operator, camera operator, audio, lighting, and editor.

• COM 4310 Audio Production: Students explore sound-production techniques and creative audio production, strengthening audio skills valuable in broadcast and digital journalism.

• COM 4680 WAYN Radio: Students can participate in Wayne State’s online radio operation, providing an additional opportunity to develop audio and broadcasting experience.

• COM 6190 Internship: The Journalism and Media major includes an internship that allows students to gain workplace experience and connect academic journalism skills with professional organizations.

• Newsroom Simulations: The major incorporates newsroom simulations and hands-on projects, helping students experience the pace and decision-making involved in contemporary journalism.

• Journalism Institute for Media Diversity: The institute connects university resources, the business community, and Detroit-area media professionals while providing scholarship and internship opportunities for participating students.

• Communication & Journalism Internship Fair: Wayne State provides opportunities for Communication and Journalism students to connect with potential employers and explore professional placements.

Facilities and department resources: Wayne State’s Department of Communication provides media-production resources and a Detroit-based environment for developing journalism, broadcasting, and communication skills.

Broadcast Journalism graduates can enter careers across television, radio, digital news, multimedia reporting, production, and related communication fields. The program’s combination of reporting, on-camera presentation, audio/video production, editing, ethics, and internship experience helps students build a flexible skill set for a media industry that increasingly values journalists who can work across multiple platforms.

Typical job roles: Broadcast Journalist, Television Reporter, News Anchor, Broadcast News Producer

Career progression is supported through practical training, professional connections, and Wayne State’s university-wide career resources:

• Wayne State Career Services: Students can receive career advising and support with internships, micro-internships, networking, career exploration, action planning, and the transition from college to employment.

• Required internship: COM 6190 gives students direct professional experience and an opportunity to apply reporting, communication, and media-production skills in a workplace setting.

• Detroit media connections: Wayne State’s location in Detroit provides students with access to a major media market and professional connections through the Department of Communication and Journalism Institute for Media Diversity.

• Journalism Institute for Media Diversity: Students interested in diversity in professional journalism can benefit from a program connecting the university, business community, and Detroit-area media professionals, with scholarship and internship opportunities.

• Professional production skills: Broadcasting and television courses allow students to graduate with practical experience in reporting, producing, camera operation, audio, editing, on-camera presentation, and television production.

• Employment and salary figures: Wayne State’s current official Journalism and Media sources do not publish a specific graduate employment rate or salary figure for the Broadcast Journalism concentration, so no unsupported statistic is included.

• Accreditation value: Wayne State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing recognized institutional accreditation for the university and its degrees.

• Graduation-to-career preparation: The combination of internship experience, professional production courses, newsroom simulations, and career advising gives students multiple opportunities to build experience before entering the media workforce.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Wayne State’s M.A. in Communication with a Journalism concentration, with advanced study in journalism, broadcast management, Internet-based reporting, communication and cultural diversity, media effects, audience measurement, and research methods.