Montclair State to Offer BA in Journalism
Posted in: Center for Cooperative Media News, School of Communication and Media News
Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media will be adding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to its curriculum beginning in September 2014.
“Journalism is going through a dramatic transformation and our exciting new program is designed to prepare students for careers in emerging, new and traditional media,” says School of Communication and Media Director Merrill Brown. “Our students will become the reporters, producers, documentary filmmakers and digital media creators of the future.”
The Journalism major, which has been approved by the State of New Jersey Department of Education, combines a strong liberal arts education with a specialized curriculum that provides training in writing, reporting, research and interviewing techniques. The program will give students the tools and versatility which are needed to create and deliver content across print, audio, video and social media platforms. Elective courses, such as Filmmaking, Public Relations, Television and Digital Media, will allow students to expand upon their expertise.
“I’m really happy that I will be able to graduate with a degree in journalism,” says Catherine Baxter, the first student to enroll in the new program. “When I told my parents about the journalism degree, they were very enthusiastic. They know it’s what I want to do.”
According to Brown, Journalism students will have many opportunities for hands-on media experience. The School’s WiredJersey.com website gives students the opportunity to report and edit web content. They can also work at WMSC-FM, the University’s on-campus radio station or contribute to The Montclarion, as Baxter does.
Brown adds that the new Journalism major is designed to meet the challenges of an evolving media landscape and generate a new vitality in the industry.
“The best opportunities for students will come from a faculty and University committed to reinventing the field,” said Brown. “We intend to be at the center of this emerging revolution in news gathering and storytelling.”