Journalism
Stories are the currency of our culture — they inform, question, humanize, and spark action. Technologies have changed since Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein broke Watergate headlines, but their instincts and tenacity still guide the profession. That DNA helped New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey spark the #Metoo movement, and it’s what keeps correspondents like Lester Holt, Ronan Farrow and Soledad O’Brien on top of the latest stories. If you want to develop compelling stories, seek truth or strengthen your community, a journalism major is the place to start.
Preparing You For Success
As a journalism major, you learn by doing. Class discussions teach you how to be a fair and ethical reporter, and you can then test those skills in Bradley’s student media. Through a newspaper, TV newscast, radio station and athletic department media, you learn how to find and tell interesting stories for print, broadcast, digital media and whatever new tools come along. Through these experiences, you’ll build a portfolio that will launch your career in whatever you choose.
By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:
- Hands-on experience with BUTV News and the Bradley Scout
- Networking and professional development opportunities with the Broadcast Education Association and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Internships with organizations such as the Peoria Chiefs, Clear Channel Radio, NBC Universal/The Olympics, Saddle and Bridle Magazine and Kate Spade
Making Your Mark
Journalism majors often pursue careers in news, publishing and public relations, and they also pursue graduate programs in politics and law. Recent Bradley journalism graduates work as reporters, columnists, copy editors and social media coordinators with companies such as Yelp, Walt Disney, Maui Jim, and GateHouse Media.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements - 9 hrs.
- COM 101: Survey of Communication - 3 hrs.
- COM 300: Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
- COM 417: Issues and Perspectives in Communication - 3 hrs.
Major Requirements - 18 hrs.
- COM 201: Journalistic Writing - 3 hrs.
- COM 215: Basic Reporting - 3 hrs.
- COM 225: Visual Storytelling - 3 hrs.
- COM 330: Communication Law and Ethics - 3 hrs.
- COM 360: Digital Journalism - 3 hrs.
- COM 425: Advanced Reporting - 3 hrs.
Electives - 12 hrs.
One course (3 hrs.) from:
- COM 315: Intercultural Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
- COM 386: Media, Race, and Gender - 3 hrs.
- COM 415: Global Media Systems - 3 hrs.
Three courses (9 hrs.) from:
- ART 228: Basic Digital Photography - 3 hrs.
- COM 204: Audio Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 307: News Feature Writing - 3 hrs.
- COM 310: Broadcast News Reporting and Writing - 3 hrs.
- COM 314: Introduction to Video: Studio Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 323: Newspaper Editing and Design 3
- COM 335: Introduction to Video: Field Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 340: Magazine Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 345: Photojournalism and Documentary Photography - 3 hrs.
- COM 365: Digital Photography - 3 hrs.
- COM 414: Advanced Video - Studio Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 435: Advanced Video - Field Production - 3 hrs.
- COM 494: Communication Expedition - 1–3 hrs.
- COM 495: Communication Internship - 1–3 hrs.
Total Hours - 39
Course Sequence
Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
| First Year - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 101 | Survey of Communication | 3 hours |
| EHS 120 | The University Experience | 1 hour |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| First Year - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 103 | The Oral Communication Process | 3 hours |
| COM 201 | Journalistic Writing | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Sophomore - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 215 | Basic Reporting | 3 hours |
| COM 225 | Visual Storytelling | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Sophomore - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 307 | News Feature Writing | 3 hours |
| COM 330 | Communication Law and Ethics | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Junior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 hours |
| COM 360 | Digital Journalism | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| COM | Internship | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Junior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 310 | Broadcast News Writing and Reporting | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Senior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 323 | Newspaper Editing and Design | 3 hours |
| COM 415 | Global Media Systems | 2 hours |
| COM 425 | Advanced Reporting | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Senior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 417 | Issues and Perspectives in Communication | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BA/BS | Elective | 3 hours |
| BCC | Core Course | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
Total Hours: 120