Journalism is one of the majors in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. The department is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Murray State is one of three universities in Kentucky with ACEJMC accreditation. The journalism major has a set of core courses and two options--print and electronic news. Each journalism major selects one of these options based on their interests.
Positions in the field of print journalism include general assignment reporters; specialized writers in such areas as business, entertainment, features, politics and sports; copy editors; section editors; graphics editors; design editors; magazine writers and editors; and managers of informational web sites. Print journalism skills can be adapted to other professional areas of mass communications and related fields.
Positions in the field of electronic (broadcast) journalism include radio-TV reporters, anchors, news producers and news directors. Broadcast journalism skills can be adapted to various related careers such as public relations, radio-TV production and management of informational web sites.
Students majoring in journalism may earn a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree. Students need a minimum of 120 semester hours, another major or minor, and completion of the university studies requirement for the appropriate degree. ACEJMC requires that students take 80 hours outside the department, 65 hours of university studies/liberal arts, and only three hours of credit for internships/co-ops.
An internship is often recommended between the junior and senior years. Students are encouraged to work with The Murray State News, MSU TV-11 or thenews.org.