Journalism and Media Production
Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Offered as:
- Major
Overview
Communication is the study of how people convey information, a resource vital not only in the world of media, but in such varied fields as business, government, and human services. The communication program at WSU combines the theory and cultural context of communications with practical experience.
The major in journalism and media production prepares you to report, produce, edit, and tell stories across all media platforms. The program focuses on reporting, production and editing methods, current mass media issues, and the history that has made journalism and mass media what they are today.
The major offers two primary focus areas:
- Broadcast News and Production
- Multimedia Journalism
Practical experience and internships are built into the whole program, so you graduate with true professional experience.
[+] Strengths of the program
- You can help create one of the nation's few nightly, student-produced TV newscasts.
- Learn from communication and broadcasting professors who win awards for excellence in teaching and professional work, are nationally ranked for their research, and emphasize high standards in the tradition of Edward R. Murrow.
- WSU's strong internship program places students in major media centers: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.
- State-of-the-art broadcasting resources include TV production studios and editing suites, an advanced graphics computer lab, and audio labs.
- WSU offers the state's only comprehensive program in broadcasting.
- Gain valuable experience at Cable 8 (student-run television station), KWSU-TV (a PBS affiliate), and KUGR (student radio station).
- The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is highly regarded nationwide by professionals and wins Emmys for student productions.
[+] Core courses
Here's an overview of what the major looks like. For the full sequence of core courses, see the communication program’s website.
Courses in the major focus on practical, hands-on learning.
You’ll study journalistic ethics, communication theory, writing, storytelling methods, and production techniques — and put them straight into practice in the University’s state-of-the-art TV, radio, and multimedia authoring facilities.
Joining the communication program
After completing 30 credit hours of course work – usually in the sophomore year – you can apply to join the communication program.
Your 30 credits should include the three communication prerequisite courses:
Media and society
Communication in Global Contexts
Communication Orientation
A writing test is part of the Communication Orientation course. Admission to the communication program is based on cumulative WSU GPA and performance on the writing test.
The journalism and media production major
All communication majors start with two courses that set the stage for everything else:
Multimedia Content Creation
Writing in Communication
Core courses
The journalism and media production major is flexible. The core courses are designed to give you a strong base, from which you can move into the areas that interest you most.
Basic core:
News & Society
Media Law
Media Ethics
Skills core:
Reporting Across Platforms
Editing Across Platforms
Public Affairs Reporting
Murrow News Service
One focus course:
Basic Television Production
Acquisition & Design of Media Content
Specialization
Choose two from:
Advanced Radio News & Production
Advanced TV Production
Advanced TV News
Electives
Customize the major to fit your interests and goals by choosing at least three additional com courses that support your specialization.
(Read more about specializations in the sections below.)
For the full sequence of core courses, see the communication program’s website.
Graduation requirements
See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
[+] Broadcast news and production
You can specialize in either broadcast news and production or multimedia journalism. Both options have plenty of flexibility and opportunities for practical training in many different venues, so that you can focus on what interests you the most.
Broadcast news and production focuses on journalism and production in TV and radio. You can choose to focus on broadcast journalism or on production. Either way, there are extensive opportunities for field and studio experience.
Featured courses
One focus course:
Basic Television Production
-or- Acquisition & Design of Media Content
Specialization — two from:
Advanced Radio News & Production
Advanced TV Production
Advanced TV News
Electives
Choose at least three additional com courses that support your focus. Internships are also available for credit toward your focus electives.
If broadcast journalism is your goal, you might be interested in courses like these:
Reporting Across Platforms
News and Society
Broadcast Performance and Interpretation
Reporting of Public Affairs
Broadcast Management
If media production is your goal, you’ll be looking at courses like these:
Editing Across Platforms
Intro to Broadcast Equipment
Acquisition and Design of Digital Content
News and Society
Editing for News Reporting & Documentary
And that’s only a few examples. There are a lot more to choose from.
For more about specializations and elective courses, see the communication program’s website.
Hands-on practice
The radio news class is responsible for writing, editing, and producing daily newscasts on KUGR (the student-run radio station), and has opportunities for additional experience on Northwest Public Radio.
The TV news and production classes form the student team that anchors, shoots, edits, and produces nightly Cable 8 broadcasts seen in Pullman.
Again, this is just the beginning.
Between internships, student clubs, and more, there are plenty of ways you can get your hands on professional equipment and actually do the things you've been learning about.
Graduation requirements
See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
[+] Multimedia journalism
Multimedia journalism studies journalism in all its formats.
You’ll study and practice written journalism for print and web, as well as radio and television news reporting. There’s also plenty of room to focus on the formats and forms of journalism that interest you the most.
And whatever your focus is, you’ll find opportunities to get hands-on practice.
Featured courses
One focus course:
Basic Television Production
-or- Acquisition & Design of Media Content
Specialization – two from:
Advanced Radio News & Production
Advanced TV Production
Advanced TV News
Electives
Choose at least three additional com courses that support your focus. Internships are also available for credit in all focus areas.
A few of the electives that might interest you:
Reporting Across Platforms
Editing Across Platforms
Writing for Television
News and Society
Reporting of Public Affairs
Digital Content Promotion
And that’s only a few examples. There are a lot more to choose from.
For more about specializations and elective courses, see the communication program’s website.
Hands-on practice
Journalism classes are part of the student team that writes, anchors, edits, and produces nightly cablecasts seen in Pullman. Journalism students also write and produce KUGR's daily radio newscasts.
There are opportunities for professional-level experience outside class, too.
The daily campus paper, the Daily Evergreen, is staffed entirely by student journalists and editors.
The communication program helps you find internships with university departments, community organizations, and regional and national media outlets.
You can join student clubs that offer professional digital content authoring, design, editing, and PR to real clients.
And it doesn’t end there. There are a lot more ways you can start actually doing the things you’ve been learning about while you’re still here at WSU.
Graduation requirements
See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
[+] Scholarships and financial aid
A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
More about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For communication majors
In addition to general university scholarships, you could be eligible for awards that are reserved for students in communication majors.
The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication has 19 scholarship funds and awards $50,000 in scholarships and fellowships to communication students each year.
[+] Careers
A flexible, highly valued degree
Because they build skills in critical and creative thinking, writing, research, and teamwork, communication degrees are highly valued by employers in a wide variety of fields.
A communication major can have high crossover value in areas like business, education, government and politics, international relations, social and human services, health-related careers, and law.
Multimedia journalism
A journalism and media production major with a focus on multimedia journalism prepares you for careers involving writing, news reporting, and digital media authoring.
You can put your skills to work in many different areas:
- Journalism in digital and print media
- Magazines, whether printed or online
- Corporate communications
- Nonprofit and government organizations
Broadcast news and production
A journalism and media production major with a focus on broadcast news and production prepares you for exciting careers in newscasting, TV and radio production, program development, station operations, multimedia authoring, and more.
You can find rewarding careers in any area where journalistic and media production skills are needed.