Bachelor of Arts
Journalism and Media Studies
Our journalism and media studies program equips you to achieve sustainable success in a rapidly evolving industry.
It takes versatile skills and adaptability to forge a sustainable journalism and media studies career in the 21st century. Oakland University’s Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies provides you with the practical expertise and hands-on experience you need to choose journalism or a media studies career. Our journalism and media studies degree keeps you current with ongoing transitions in the industry, preparing you to adapt quickly to changing technologies and business models. You’ll develop superior writing and editing skills, work in multiple media, and get real-world journalism training that stands out on a resume. You’ll graduate with a marketable journalism and media studies degree and a portfolio that exhibits your talent and gets you noticed.
It takes versatile skills and adaptability to forge a sustainable journalism and media studies career in the 21st century. Oakland University’s Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies provides you with the practical expertise and hands-on experience you need to choose journalism or a media studies career. Our journalism and media studies degree keeps you current with ongoing transitions in the industry, preparing you to adapt quickly to changing technologies and business models. You’ll develop superior writing and editing skills, work in multiple media, and get real-world journalism training that stands out on a resume. You’ll graduate with a marketable journalism and media studies degree and a portfolio that exhibits your talent and gets you noticed.
The Journalism and Media Studies Program: The Oakland University Advantage
Oakland University offers ideal conditions to prepare for journalism and media studies as a career. Southeast Michigan is a major media market with news organizations of every type and robust opportunities to cover stories in business, technology, politics, sports, and other subjects.
Our journalism and media studies program excels for its:
- Exceptional real-world opportunities. Our journalism and media studies program requires a professional internship, but students routinely do more than one. Media organizations actively recruit our journalism and media studies majors because they have the skills and confidence to make real contributions. You’ll gain meaningful experience that helps you start your career in journalism or media studies with a competitive edge.
- Emphasis on professionalism. Our journalism and media studies program integrates classroom instruction with hands-on learning. Courses emphasize project-based assignments and case studies that enable you to put textbook concepts into practice. Another significant benefit of Oakland’s degree in journalism or media studies: You can start working in student-run media as a freshman, rather than waiting until your junior or senior year.
- Outstanding on-campus media facilities. Many journalism and media studies students work for the student-run Oakland Post, an independent weekly newspaper that publishes daily digital updates. You can also work for Oakland’s award-winning campus radio station, produce video news segments for OUTV, and collaborate independently with student and faculty organizations to publicize events, achievements, and fundraisers.
- Personalized instruction. Most of our journalism and media studies classes have 19 students or fewer, so you’ll benefit from one-on-one attention from instructors. Our journalism and media studies program is led by diverse international faculty, most of whom are media veterans who’ve succeeded in journalism and media studies as a career.
- Career connections. Oakland’s journalism and media studies department has a high profile in Southeast Michigan and maintains ongoing partnerships with news organizations, PR firms, and other media companies. We regularly host career fairs, resume workshops, and networking events that allow you to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
What Can You Do With a Journalism and Media Studies Degree?
Oakland graduates have gone on to journalism and media studies careers with major news organizations and PR agencies all over the country. Many have earned graduate degrees in journalism from top institutions such as Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and the Columbia School of Journalism. A partial list of employers who’ve hired graduates of Oakland’s journalism and media studies program includes:
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- Wall Street Journal
- CBS Sports
- Newsweek
- Kresge Foundation
- Philly.com
- Bleacher Report
- The Weather Channel
- Detroit Free Press
- Detroit News
- Fox 2 Detroit
- WDIV Local 4
- WXYZ Channel 7
- WWJ News Radio
- WJR 760 Radio
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies: What You’ll Learn
The journalism and media studies degree includes core courses in news writing, editing, journalism ethics, and media law. You’ll also complete an internship with an off-campus media organization or Oakland University’s on-campus news bureau. The program features a minimum of 16 elective credits, with courses selected from a broad list of options. Sample elective courses in journalism and media studies include:
- Diversity and Media in Storytelling
- Feature Writing
- Public Affairs Reporting
- Sports Reporting
- Multimedia Journalism
- Advanced Media Design
- Video Documentary Journalism
- Public Relations and the News
- Social Media and PR
- Advertising Creative Strategy
- Advertising Copywriting
Journalism and Media Studies Program Resources
- Journalism and Media Studies Degree Requirements
- Broadcasting and Digital Media Degree Requirements
- Media and Society Degree Requirements
- Journalism Minor
- Department of Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations
- College of Arts and Sciences
Programs Related to the Journalism and Media Studies Program Degree
Not sure if the degree in journalism and media studies is right for you? Check out these other undergraduate degree programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.
- Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Strategic Communication
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing