Journalism students

School of Communication and CultureJournalism Bachelor's Degree

  • BA

About the Journalism Major

Whether you're interested in reporting the news, producing a podcast, editing a magazine, writing feature stories, or anchoring the TV news, our Journalism program will equip you with the skills and connections you need to succeed in the industry. You'll learn the essential journalism skills and explore various formats and platforms for telling stories that inform, inspire and engage — all while working in one of the most exciting news markets in the country.

Examples of Journalism Careers

  • Broadcast news editor
  • Broadcast news producer
  • Broadcast news reporter
  • Copy editor
  • Features writer
  • Magazine editor
  • Magazine writer
  • Podcast producer
  • Website writer and editor

The Student Experience

Columbia will give you real-world opportunities in Chicago – the nation’s third-largest media market. Get hand-on reporting experience in a city that allows you to cover exciting news in politics, culture, entertainment, and sports. The city will be your laboratory as you learn and report alongside professional journalists and build your job-winning portfolio.

  • Get into the field and write stories year one While you'll take foundational course requirements for the Journalism major, in our intro course you'll venture into the city, finding and developing stories with close guidance from your professors.
  • Learn from working professionals Our faculty stay up to date with industry trends and teach them in the classroom. They are dedicated to giving you a real-world education, and they serve as great resources for jobs and references once you graduate.
  • Refine your portfolio senior yearAs you prepare for a career in journalism, we’ll help you perfect that door-opening portfolio.
  • Work and learn in professional facilitiesWe have audio labs, TV studios, workspaces, and professional equipment for Journalism students to use for individual and class projects.
  • Take advantage of internships in a media-rich city

    Chicago is home to numerous local and national news organizations, as well as consumer and business-to-business magazines, broadcast outlets, and nonprofit news sources -- incubators for innovation and collaboration.

Journalism students working together around a computer screen

Career Readiness

From connecting you to internships to helping you develop door-opening bodies of work to making an important professional connection, Columbia helps students launch their careers.

  • Real-world experience

    Columbia maintains great relationships with local media organizations and places students in internships that often lead to jobs.  Places our students have interned: NBC News, CNN, Gannett, Bloomberg News, The Young Turks, major Chicago TV stations (e.g.,WLS-TV, WMAQ-TV, WBBM-TV and WGN-TV); Chicago Sun-Times, Modern Luxury, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, Gateway Journalism Review, and local radio stations (e.g., WPWX-FM, WLUP-FM and WKQX-FM).

  • Networking opportunities with alumni

    Columbia Journalism alums are found across the multimedia landscape. From reporters to news anchors to digital content producers and more, our alumni practice journalism around the country. Connect with these established creative professionals through workshops, events, and internships facilitated by Columbia's alumni network.

Alumni Spotlight

Journalism Alumni Paige Barnes

Paige Barnes '21

Reporter at WKRC-TV, which covers the Cincinatti-metro area.

98%

of 2023 grads are employed, enrolled in continued education, or pursuing their creative practice.

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