Next Steps

Communication - Journalism & Media Studies Track, B.A.

In the modern era, media impacts everyone. The journalism & media studies track will teach you not only how to effectively deliver messages to diverse audiences, but also how media works within – and creates – society. The study of journalism and the media will equip you with the tools to become both a media professional and a better citizen.

Journalism, at its core, is a service profession: It serves communities and provides essential information that helps people as they live, work and play. At Whitworth, we desire to help you understand this call to service so that you may give a voice to those who are voiceless.

Why study journalism & media studies at Whitworth?

Gain valuable hands-on experience. You will have the option to participate in student media and you will be required to complete an internship. These are great ways to discover your career path and build your résumé.
Learn from inspiring and caring professors who are consistently named "most influential" by senior classes. Professors keep their office doors open and seek to foster one-on-one relationships with students.
Join The Whitworthian student-run newspaper and build your portfolio with news, opinion, feature and sports reporting on your campus community.
Become a Whitworth.fm staff member and learn how digital radio entertains and informs audiences beyond geographic boundaries.
Serve your community with Whitworth's student-run public-relations agency, Beyond the Pines. This full-service organization works with nonprofits throughout the region.
Incorporate multiple passions and interests into your studies. As a journalism student, you will have the opportunity to pursue stories on subjects that interest you. In addition, the journalism & media studies track can act as an excellent complement to other Whitworth majors and minors.
Access exciting technology and learn to use it in compelling and ethical ways. For example, create immersive photos and video using a 360-degree camera.
Become who you're meant to be.

Our journalism & media studies grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Every field needs effective and media-savvy communicators, and our graduates possess the strong communication skills these fields require. Career opportunities are available with established media organizations, corporations and nonprofit organizations in every sector. A thriving independent media environment also creates new opportunities for entrepreneurship. Our journalism & media studies graduates often report that they are grateful for the unexpected ways they are able to use their skills in a variety of career contexts.

Recent job placements include:

Luke Schwartz, sports anchor, WCTI News 12, New Bern, N.C.
Katelyn McLean, sports multimedia journalist, KULR 8 and SWX Montana, Billings, Mont.
Trey McDowell, communications specialist, Spokane Transit Authority, Spokane
Andrew Forhan, communications technician specialist, Bellingham Public Schools, Bellingham, Wash.
Kyle Kim, graphics reporter, Bloomberg News, New York
Jasmine Linabary, assistant professor of communication and theatre, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kan.

Our recent journalism & media studies grads further their studies at institutions including:

American University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Montana School of Law
Washington State University
Purdue University
Syracuse University

Opportunities outside the classroom

Partner with journalism faculty to conduct research. Students have collaborated with faculty on conference presentations, journal articles and books on topics ranging from media coverage and sourcing to First Amendment issues.
Join the staff of the award-winning Natsihi yearbook. Staff members have repeatedly been honored for their excellent writing and design.

Pack your bags!

Study the media for a month with communication studies professors in Germany or on the East Coast of the United States. The Media & Society in Germany program will allow you to build your digital storytelling skills in a cross-cultural setting and to examine the mass-media systems of Germany. The Media Impact in the Contemporary U.S. program will take you to New York City and Washington, D.C., where you will visit media companies and learn from executives and scholars about the key issues related to media’s current impact on society.