Two professionals inside a podcast studio with microphones.

Bachelor of Arts in
Journalism

Develop Writing and Digital Skills to Excel in Modern Media

Learn to think critically about world events while building familiarity with modern reporting methods. You will not only write print articles, but design and fill websites with video, photos and sound to report news and engage with audiences.

Through coursework and internships you will gain valuable multimedia experience that will serve you in industries from news reporting and public relations to publishing and politics in the bachelor’s in journalism program at the University at Albany.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin   |   Course Catalog   |   Four-Year Plan   |  Department Contact: Nancy Roberts

Program of Study

programofstudy

The BA in Journalism program helps you hone your skills with courses including non-fiction writing, media analysis and production, history of journalism, as well as the study of legal, ethical and business issues. 

You will improve your writing while developing the ability to critically assess world events and political happenings. Courses emphasize critical thinking, historical context, editorial judgment and communication skills.


Core Requirements

  • Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
  • Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
  • Reporting and News Writing II
  • Media Law and Ethics
  • Digital Publication


Contextual Courses (9 credits)

  • Media and War in U.S. History
  • Women and the Media
  • History of Journalism in the United States
  • Global Perspectives on the News
  • Visual Culture
  • Images of Journalism in Film
  • Media in the Digital Age
  • Literary Journalism
  • Topics in Journalism

Skills Courses (9 credits)

  • Narrative Journalism
  • Introduction to Documentary Photography
  • Public Relations Writing
  • Magazine Writing
  • Photojournalism
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Digital Media Workshop: Online Publishing
  • Digital Media Workshop: Desk-Top Publishing
  • Advanced Reporting and News Writing
  • Topics in Journalism
  • Public Affairs Journalism
  • Investigative Reporting


Internship or Electives

3 credits in an Internship or:

  • Images of Journalism in Film
  • Media in the Digital Age
  • Advanced Reporting and News Writing
  • Literary Journalism
  • Topics in Journalism
  • Public Affairs Journalism
  • Investigative Reporting
  • Independent Study in Journalism

Elective courses may not be repeated if already used in Contextual or Skills categories

Honors College


Challenge yourself with more advanced work in the Journalism Honors Program. You will have the opportunity to work directly with a faculty mentor on the design and implementation of a research project. Outstanding students should apply for admission to the honors program in the beginning of your third semester at UAlbany.

To be admitted to the Honors Program, you will need to be a declared Journalism major, have completed 12 credits in Journalism courses, have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.5 GPA in Journalism. In addition, you will need to submit an application essay. For more information, contact the Journalism honors director, Thomas Bass at [email protected].

 

 

A UAlbany journalism student researches a newspaper article on her laptop
honors
UAlbany Journalism Program Prepares Media Pros
Applied Learning

Put your skills to practice with real experience through internship opportunities. Our faculty have relationships with television and radio stations, newspapers and magazines, publishing houses, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and public relations firms.

Communication student photographing a sporting event
Journalism professor Tom Palmer works with student Bussy Odusanya during a sports photojournalism workshop at UAlbany’s Casey Stadium. Photo by Bruce Dudek
applied

Career Outcomes


With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree you will be prepared to launch into a career that utilizes skills such as editorial clarity, practiced objectivity, research and interpersonal communication. Pursue a job in industries including print and broadcast journalism, education, public relations, marketing and law.

Potential job titles for a BA in Journalism include:

  • Journalist
  • Webcaster
  • Broadcaster
  • Freelance writer
  • Corporate communications specialist
  • Television producer
  • Editor
  • Magazine and book publisher
  • Copywriter
  • Public Relations specialist

 


 

Professor Thomas Bass with UAlbany students in the Entrepreneurial Journalism course
career

"Currently I am a publicist for the Annie Selke home décor brands in Pittsfield, MA. I still use many of the skills I acquired during my time at UAlbany. I'm constantly writing press releases, content for the company's website and blog posts. I am so thankful to the talented, experienced and dedicated adjuncts and professors of the UAlbany Journalism Program for helping me realize my strengths and talents and helping me to grow as a writer."

- Beth Kie-Burdick, '12.

“There are so many opportunities being a journalism major here in the capital of Albany.”

 - J.T. Stone, Class of 2025.

UAlbany Majors: Journalism
Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
  • Students will describe and critically analyze the role of a free press in a democratic Society. (They recognize and employ privileges and duties detailed in the First Amendment, Freedom of Information/Open Government rules and media law.)
  • Students, when presented with a case study, and in their own work, will identify ethical issues involved, will critically analyze them, and will identify the philosophical and professional considerations that underpin their analyses.
  • Students will design and research accurate stories using multiple research strategies involving data, eyewitness accounts, academic reports, and statistics.
  • Students will structure and compose stories that are visible and audible, that effectively engage and educate an audience.
slo

What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

A student abroad visiting a monument.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Take the next step!