Degree in Journalism | Journalism Program
The Journalism program works to produce multimedia communications with high ethical standards. Writing courses provide a solid base for writing for all types of news media, from print to broadcasting, while students have the opportunity to publish multimedia in the student newspaper, The Bells, and its online site from the start of their program. Advanced writing classes also provide material to post on students’ self-produced websites. Photojournalism classes concentrate on still image storytelling with both single and multi-photo packages, while the broadcasting courses give students practice with video news production along with experience reporting on camera. Students in these courses use software programs like Photoshop and Premiere.
Ashlyn Belote
Student
My favorite aspect of being a Mass Communication major is the knowledge I'm able to gain out of learning about the communications industry. The size is quite small, so I can gain relationships with my fellow peers who are in the discipline and work together with them. Mass Communication and Humanities as a whole are highly important and the backbone of our society, so I love that I can contribute to that through my major. Being in The Bells has not only taught me to strengthen my skills in writi
Ashlyn Belote
Student
Why should I choose Journalism?
Students who go through our Journalism program will be working in a career that continually educates in endless areas, provides a platform for self-expression, provides opportunities for being close to news that is making the world change while meeting interesting people and going to interesting places, while also being able to garner some notable attention for themselves and their work in communications.
What are some journalism courses I will take?
- Photojournalism
- Broadcasting
- Intro to Media Writing
- Advanced Media Writing and Design
- Intro to Mass Media
- Intro to Communication
Alumni Spotlight
Ariana Perry
While at UMHB, Ariana Perry participated in The Bells, Search Cru, and Study Abroad (Lithuania). She interned with Killeen Daily Herald and Belton Journal while finishing her degree. These distinctive learning experiences and professional development opportunities, along with strong academic programs, helped her find her purpose.
After graduation, she took a News Producer position with 25 News KXXV. She was ecstatic to go back to her roots in Waco and serve the community in which she grew up. She now produces the 6 p.m. hour-long show for 25 News and plans to continue working and bettering her skills there before possibly expanding her horizons.
Outside of work, Ariana enjoys photography, reading, and time with people she loves. She is open to whatever God has in store for her. Although she loves producing right now, she also understands that she has yet to really try other positions within a newsroom and beyond. She has learned so much in the short time at KXXV and cannot wait to see where she goes in the future!
What are some career options?
With a degree in journalism, you can follow many career paths:
- Newspaper Reporter
- Broadcast Reporter
- Photographer
- Editor/Publisher
- Producer
- Camera Operator
- Sports Writer or Broadcaster
Who is hiring UMHB students?
UMHB Journalism students have found success in many different areas:
- Online News Media
- Newspaper Companies
- Magazine Companies
- Broadcast News Media
- Radio
- Public Relations Firms
- Government and Military Entities
Where can I go to grad school?
Many Journalism students have continued their education at these schools:
- American University
- Columbia Graduate School of Journalism
- Northwestern University
- UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Why study journalism at UMHB?
Students who study Mass Communication – Journalism have the opportunity to apply and hone their knowledge and skills by working on The Bells – the student news. Published bi-weekly in print form, The Bells presents campus, local, national, and international news stories which are of interest to the UMHB community. With a corresponding electronic media site, The Bells Online, students are able to present various news events, editorials, and features almost daily. Students can work as full staff (work-study), volunteers, or in relation to their upper-level courses.
The Mass Communication program requires internships that help students gather real-world experience for their professional growth, as well as for their resumes and portfolios. It is a flexible program that helps students specialize in their particular area of interest while getting a solid journalistic base. Some specialized interests have been sports writing or broadcasting, fashion photography for magazines, and video production for Christian messaging, as well as investigative news and sports photography.
Students in UMHB’s Journalism program experience working on projects for print media and prepare to work begin producing for several media platforms, from newsprint to online and broadcast news, or information services. The program helps students develop and practice their skills so that by the time they graduate, they have participated with other journalists to produce media for publication/broadcast as well as for their portfolios. No matter what field journalism graduates go into, professionals with journalism degrees are respected for their ability to communicate for whomever they are working for in the future.