Students who are interested in working as reporters and writers for publications either in print, online, or broadcast may be interested in earning a journalism degree or a communications degree online. According to Patsy G. Watkins, professor or journalism at the University of Arkansas, students will be required to “write, write, write when they are in print news, broadcast news, or advertising/public relations.” Communications degrees online and on-campus may offer a broader field of study than journalism and can encompass mass communications, including advertising, public affairs, public relations, and media messaging across many different kinds of communications platforms.
Subjects and Skills Covered in a Journalism Degree
In addition to internships at publications, and learning how to research and write stories to meet deadlines, journalism students are expected to learn the legal background for reporting on current events, politics, sports, or entertainment. Classes in legal issues can cover issues like liability and libel. Other classes will cover learning how to locate and interview sources for stories, editing and writing skills, and work experience for school publications like newspapers and news magazines. Radio and television journalism will also be part of complete journalism programs.
Classes Offered for Communications Majors and Degrees
Communications is a broader type of bachelor’s degree than journalism, and classes in communication theory form a foundation for programs that can expand into business communications, mass communications, media studies and more. Corporate communications and business public relations will be offered to business communications majors. Public speaking courses are offered for communications majors who plan to work in public administration, education, and politics. Combined degrees in marketing and communications may offer courses in research, statistical methodologies, and survey design. Communications courses may also include writing for news organizations, media, and broadcast, as well as visual and non-verbal communications techniques.
Related Resource: Top Online Communications Degree Programs
Available Jobs for Journalism Majors
Journalism majors may become reporters for news media companies, websites, cable news organizations, print and online magazines, and traditional newspapers or local radio and television stations. Journalism majors also became public relations specialists, content marketers, grantwriters, copywriters, and corporate communications specialists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 50,400 jobs for journalism majors with bachelor’s degrees were available in 2016, according to the BLS.
Job Outlook for Communications Majors
Overall, job opportunities for media and communications majors are expected to grow about 6 percent between 2016 and 2026, according to the BLS. Communications majors may become announcers, interpreters and translators, public relations specialists, authors and writers, and news media journalists or online marketing specialists. Much of the job growth is anticipated to be in news media and news communications platforms, from mobile communications to video marketing. Communications majors may have more flexible job opportunities after graduation in areas like marketing, online communications, and news media communications. They may also seek internships in government and business organizations to network and improve referrals for employment opportunities.
Reporters, broadcast news analysts, and correspondents may have journalism degrees or communications degrees. Television, radio and print journalism is experiencing rapid change, with some traditional outlets cutting back. At the same time, news media and new methods of communication are growing, with opportunities for journalism majors as well as additional opportunities for students who complete a communications degree online in business, public affairs, and politics.