Learn to Write Right: Journalism Degree Programs

Some of the most influential people in the world either are or were journalists. In addition to the profession's storied history, the Internet offers new and exciting opportunities for journalism. A journalism degree program can begin your training for a challenging career.

Available Degrees in Journalism

When applying for jobs as a journalist, employers favor candidates who have a degree in journalism and most often, it's a requirement. You can obtain an associate's, bachelor's, and even master's degree in journalism through online degree programs.

Typical Coursework for Aspiring Journalists

Journalism degree programs strive to produce graduates who excel in the following areas:

• Research
• Writing
• Editing
• Ethics
• Public speaking

Most of the early classes in a journalism degree program are from the liberal arts--history, literature, and English composition. These more general topics are then augmented by specialized courses in journalism, such as news gathering and source discovery.

Journalism Career Options

A degree in journalism, either online or on campus, can qualify you for the following jobs, with the following median annual 2007 salaries:

• Broadcast news analyst--$49,060
• Reporter--$34,690
• Radio broadcaster--$51,270

You can also use your journalism skills in public relations, which tends to pay excellent salaries.

The Opposite of All Talk

Obtaining an online degree in journalism should not mean that you just sit in your room and study; you need to get your voice out there early and often. This may mean writing for a local newspaper while you are in school or starting your own blog on the Internet. Either way, when a prospective employer asks to see your "clips," you need to be able to show some, and they need to be good.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

Andrew Freiburghouse is a writer and businessman. As a partner at Los Angeles tax preparation firm Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc., Andrew learned the fine art of growing a small business into a not-so-small business. Currently, Andrew lives in Brooklyn, NY.