Journalism (BA)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at Indiana State?

Journalism is one of the most versatile career fields, as journalists work in all areas of media: print, video, audio, graphics, social media, and more. At its core, journalism involves gathering factual information, investigating ideas, telling stories, and presenting information to public audiences. A bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana State University prepares you with comprehensive, hands-on learning experiences in this creative, dynamic field.

Prepare for Any Journalism Career

Media changes daily and journalists continue to work at the center of this exciting and evolving field. In Indiana State’s Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program, you will study contemporary journalism in preparation for a variety of careers. Because today’s journalists cover stories in real time, our program emphasizes immersive projects, internships, digital media, interactive media production, and an understanding of media and society. By the program’s conclusion, you will have a strong portfolio with which to demonstrate your skills across all aspects of the journalism profession.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Indiana State’s instructors assist you in gaining professional development through internships and community engagement. Many have experience in all areas of journalism, including broadcast journalism, print media, social media, audio, and other fields.

In our small classes, you will receive one-on-one assistance and mentorship from professors who will encourage you to participate in volunteer service, advocacy, multimedia productions, study-abroad programs, and other activities that align with your chosen career track.

Receive Expert Assistance in Our Learning Studios

Prepare for a career in journalism with hands-on learning from day one. Gain journalistic experience in our state-of-the-art multimedia production studios, podcast studio, and other instructional laboratory spaces.

What You'll Learn in the Journalism Program

The Journalism BA at Indiana State features a hands-on curriculum that teaches you how to produce and publish quality journalism across all media platforms, including audio, visual, and interactive technologies.

You will complete a core of communication classes focusing on media and society, interpersonal communication, visual communication, persuasion theories, new media writing, and communication research. Applied journalism courses focus on media writing, reporting, journalism history, narrative journalism, investigative journalism, community journalism, and communication law and ethics.

You are also encouraged to take classes geared toward your specific career aspirations. For example, you may study print-based media production, live video production, photojournalism, media performance, sports media production, journalism history, time-based media production, digital storytelling, political communication, global media, social media management, and other areas. Our curriculum emphasizes preparation for an internship that will provide you with additional journalism experience in professional work environments.

Your journalism program will conclude with a senior capstone project. In this collaborative learning exercise, you will reflect upon and integrate journalism practices related to your career interests.

Career Possibilities for Journalism Majors

Journalism offers a variety of career options for graduates. Our students combine well-developed journalistic skills with their personal interests and passions to pursue careers as reporters, editors, content writers, news producers, videographers, communications managers, photojournalists, social media managers, and more. Many of our students also pursue graduate study programs in business and communication.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth rates in communication occupations:

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers: 6% growth rate
Broadcast, sound, and video technicians: 2% growth rate
Film and video editors and camera operators: 7% growth rate
Photographers: 4% growth rate
Public relations specialists: 6% growth rate
Technical writers: 7%
Writers and authors: 4%

Inside a media newsroom, a Black student with long black dreadlocks stands behind a black camera and teleprompter, wearing a blue sweatshirt. On the set is a Black student wearing a blue T-shirt, blurred in the photo. A desk and television are visible on the set. A brick wall is in the background. Ceiling lights are also visible in the newsroom.

Join Student Media at Indiana State

Gain hands-on experience in communication practice by joining Indiana State's student media groups:

Sycamore Video, a student-run news program and interview show for digital and interactive media
WISU-FM, a 13,500-watt stereo radio station
Syc Creations, a digital creative design group that does web and graphic design, social media, web development, video production, and motion graphics
Indiana State Sports Network
The Indiana Statesman student newspaper
The Sycamore student yearbook

Learn About Student Media at Indiana State

A woman with shoulder-length black hair and wearing a beige, textured, short-sleeved sweater smiles broadly at the camera. She is pictured with a white background.

Sycamore Graduate Is Indy News Anchor

Meet Emmy-nominated journalist Melissa Crash, ’14. The communication alumna began her broadcast journalism career in the Wabash Valley at WTWO and WTHI before becoming one of the leading television anchors for Fox59/CBS4 in Indianapolis. She is one of the most recognized faces in the Circle City.

Read Melissa’s story