Journalists report the news to viewers and readers through broadcast news corporations, magazines, newspapers, and online media outlets. A journalism degree can prepare graduates for careers in any area of the field, like local broadcast news or international newspapers. Salaries in journalism can be competitive, as well; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, broadcast news analysts earn an average salary of nearly $67,000 per year.
However, the skills gained in a journalism program — including those in analytical thinking, research, writing, and communication — benefit professionals in a variety of fields. Employers in closely related industries like public relations, marketing, and advertising hire journalism majors. In fact, these fields often pay higher salaries and provide greater growth potential for reporters and correspondents.
An online journalism degree offers prospective students the flexibility and accessibility to complete their coursework through virtual classrooms and distance learning experiences. This can allow working professionals to arrange their classwork around career or family responsibilities. Online journalism programs also offer the convenience of attending the top programs in the country without having to relocate. Many of these online journalism programs introduce students to investigative journalism, broadcast journalism, and journalism ethics.
This guide explores the best online journalism programs, including how to choose the right program, career paths with a journalism degree, and in–demand journalism concentrations.
Journalism Degree Program Ranking Guidelines:
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Journalism Degree Programs
| Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Massachusetts – Amherst |
Amherst, MA | ||
| 2 |
DePaul University |
Chicago, IL | ||
| 3 |
Immaculata University |
Immaculata, PA | ||
| 4 |
National University |
La Jolla, CA | ||
| 5 |
Texas State University |
San Marcos, TX | ||
| 6 |
Regent University |
Virginia Beach, VA | ||
| 7 |
Cameron University |
Lawton, OK | ||
| 8 |
Louisiana State University – Shreveport |
Shreveport, LA | ||
| 9 |
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale |
Carbondale, IL | ||
| 10 |
California State University – Bakersfield |
Bakersfield, CA |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of a Journalism Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism can help professionals in a variety of fields advance their careers and qualify for higher salaries. Additionally, many job openings in journalism — including those for reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts — require a bachelor’s degree for entry–level roles. Other job opportunities for journalism graduates can include positions in public relations, writing, and editing — career paths where it’s also preferable for entry–level employees to hold a bachelor’s degree. In the job market for graduates of online journalism programs, a bachelor’s degree is increasingly considered the minimum educational requirement.
After earning a bachelor’s in journalism, graduates can also pursue a master’s degree to advance to management–level positions in the field.
Journalism Degree Salary Information
With an online bachelor’s degree in journalism, graduates can pursue a career as a reporter, editor, writer, correspondent, or news analyst. Responsible for reporting the news for newspapers, TV, magazines, websites, and radio, journalists research stories, investigate topics, conduct interviews, write and edit articles, and provide updates as they become available for the public.
- Writer
- Writers and authors create fictional and nonfictional content for books, magazines, and websites. They often conduct research and interviews, work with editors, and create different types of content for a variety of media outlets.
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $31,000
- Mid-Career: $39,000
- Experienced: $51,000
- Late Career: $59,000
- Public Relations Specialist
- Public relations specialists shape the public perception of their organization, increase awareness with the public, and promote their organization's goals. They often work with the media to cultivate and maintain a favorable public image for their organization.
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $39,000
- Mid-Career: $47,000
- Experienced: $52,000
- Late Career: $60,000
- Editor
- Editors work with writers to review materials published in books, magazines, and newspapers and on websites. They approve story ideas, coordinate with writers, and revise drafts of pieces.
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $39,000
- Mid-Career: $44,000
- Experienced: $55,000
- Late Career: $61,000
- Broadcast News Analyst
- Broadcast news analysts — also known as anchors — lead news programs. They work in television and radio news and often have a background in journalism and reporting.
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $39,000
- Mid-Career: $45,000
- Experienced: $54,000
- Late Career: $59,000
Source: PayScale
Choosing an Online Journalism Degree Program
Prospective students may feel overwhelmed when trying to find the best online journalism degree or an affordable online journalism degree. Choosing the right journalism program can influence your entire career, so prospective students should take their time to find the best fit. For example, learners who prioritize cost should concentrate on in–state programs, as they typically charge the lowest tuition rates.
Students can also research factors like transfer policies to save money and shorten the length of their bachelor’s in journalism. Other factors — such as school size, on–campus requirements, and available career services — can help prospective students to further narrow their choices.
- Program Cost
- The cost of an online journalism degree varies depending on the institution type, online learning fees, and additional charges. In general, in-state public institutions offer the lowest tuition rates. However, out-of-state public schools often charge a flat rate for online students regardless of state residency. Private programs may also offer scholarships or financial aid to lower the cost of the degree.
- Transfer Policies
- Students with significant transfer credit should research programs' transfer policies. A generous transfer policy can save students thousands of dollars and several semesters or years when completing a bachelor's degree. Some schools offer a transcript analysis before applying to determine transfer credits.
- School Size and Type
- School size and type influence the experience of a journalism degree. Some students prefer a smaller class, while others prefer a larger cohort of learners. When considering public versus private institutions, students can look at tuition costs, funding options, and alumni networks.
- Program Length
- While a bachelor's degree typically takes four years, some programs offer part-time or accelerated options for students to complete the degree on a different timeline. Program requirements such as an internship or general education requirements can also affect program length. Learners can contact an admissions advisor to learn more about program length.
- On–Campus Requirements
- Some online programs require on-campus residencies, such as an on-campus orientation or residency weekends. Students may prefer a hybrid format that offers opportunities to meet with faculty and fellow students on campus or a program with no on-campus requirements.
Accreditation for Online Journalism Degrees
Prospective students considering earning a journalism and mass communication degree online should be careful to choose an accredited institution. Accredited institutions have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they follow the best practices in higher education, and their students are assured of receiving a quality education. An accredited degree also meets more licensing and certification requirements, and some graduate programs accept only applicants with an accredited undergraduate degree. Learners at an accredited college or university also qualify for federal financial aid.
During the accreditation process, an independent accrediting agency evaluates a school’s graduation requirements, student learning outcomes, and faculty components. Colleges and universities also voluntarily undergo regular accreditation reviews to maintain their status. At the institutional level, regional and national accrediting agencies grant accreditation. Regional accreditation is granted by seven regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education (ED) and is the highest standard for liberal arts and research institutions.
In certain disciplines, specific programs within schools can be accredited by specialized agencies. For example, business programs, teacher training programs, and social work programs can all earn programmatic accreditation from leading organizations in the field. However, journalism programs do not feature programmatic accreditation; instead, regional accreditation evaluates journalism programs as part of the institutional review.
Several organizations work together to ensure the accreditation process runs smoothly. In addition to the independent accrediting agencies, the ED oversees the process by approving accrediting agencies. Similarly, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) evaluates accrediting agencies to ensure they follow the best practices in accreditation. Both the ED and CHEA maintain lists of accredited schools; prospective students can learn more by visiting the ED accreditation list or the CHEA accreditation list.
Journalism Concentrations
Many of the best online journalism degrees offer concentrations to focus the degree and prepare graduates for a specific journalism career path. A concentration in broadcast journalism, for example, can lead to a career as a reporter or news analyst. Prospective students can research a program’s concentrations to find the best fit for their career goals and interests.
- Broadcast Journalism
- Journalism majors who concentrate in broadcast journalism often pursue careers working for broadcast news companies. They study television reporting, news analysis, and the business of broadcast journalism, including journalism ethics in broadcast news.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Reporter; news analyst; news editor
- Investigative Journalism
- An investigative journalism concentration trains majors to conduct in-depth reporting in different areas. The concentration may include a focus on healthcare, politics, business, science, or another field. Majors learn about investigative reporting for newspapers, magazines, and broadcast journalism, including the ethics of investigative journalism.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Investigative journalist
- Digital Journalism
- In a digital journalism concentration, students explore multimedia journalism and ways to incorporate text, audio, and video into news reporting. Students also learn about the challenges of online journalism, the role of editors in digital journalism, and incorporating interactive features in digital journalism.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Journalist; reporter; digital media specialist
- International Journalism
- An international journalism concentration emphasizes reporting on global topics including diplomacy, global economics, and science. Students learn about international journalism in different media, including print, broadcast, and online journalism. The concentration may also cover different national contexts, language skills, and ethics for international journalists.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Journalist; reporter
- Professional Writing
- Journalism programs that offer a professional writing concentration emphasize the writing skills required for journalism careers. Within the concentration, students learn writing and editing skills with an emphasis on print, online, and long-form journalism.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Journalist; writer; author
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Journalism?
Earning an online journalism degree at the bachelor’s level typically requires four years of full–time study.
However, the length of a bachelor’s degree varies depending on the program, a student’s transfer credits, and enrollment status. For example, some journalism programs include an internship to give students hands–on experience working for a publication, media organization, or other journalism association. Learners can also choose to earn their degree part time, which requires additional semesters but allows them to balance school with work or family obligations. Additionally, some journalism programs offer accelerated options, where students complete the degree in less time and can even save money on tuition.
Finally, transfer credits play a major role in determining the length of a degree. Transfer students with an associate degree in journalism, communications, or a related field may be able to complete the bachelor’s degree in two years or less.
Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Journalism Program
Earning a journalism degree online introduces students to local and global print, broadcast, and web–based media. Students often take basic liberal arts classes in humanities, anthropology, history, political science, and psychology as part of a journalism curriculum. Additionally, journalism students sharpen their writing skills with classes in English, research methods, copy editing, editorial commentary, and freelance writing. They also learn about the digital transformation of journalism through classes in online media, storytelling with cell phones, and design for web and mobile devices.
Popular concentrations in journalism include writing and editing, international reporting, media design, photojournalism, sports journalism, and broadcast journalism. Some online programs also require students to complete an independent study or an internship to gain hands–on experience in their subfield.
Students examine strategies to enhance their critical thinking skills, writing and communication abilities, and ethical decision–making competency. A journalism degree typically requires 120 credits, which often include approximately 18 credits of core courses, 12 credits of concentration courses, and 15 elective credits.
- Global Journalism
- Courses on global journalism introduce students to international reporting. Students learn about international issues, the role of journalists in covering global issues, and the knowledge international journalists bring to their job. The course may cover a variety of areas, such as political reporting, war journalism, and economic journalism.
- Media and Politics
- Students explore the relationship between media and politics, often with a focus on the U.S. The course covers historical developments and the role of journalists in elections, public policy, and politics. Students learn about political reporting, local politics, and news writing.
- Digital Journalism
- In digital journalism classes, students examine the growing role that digital media plays in the field. The course trains journalism majors for jobs incorporating digital resources, including roles that blend reporting with images, video, or web design. Students may also learn video production, video editing, and web management skills.
- Copyediting
- Many journalism programs incorporate classes on copy editing to prepare graduates for roles as editors or copy editors. The course trains students to revise written pieces to follow a publication's style guidelines and the basics of fact checking. Students also learn about the relationships between writers and editors in different media organizations.
Journalism Membership Associations
- American Society of Journalists and Authors
- A professional organization for independent journalists and nonfiction authors, ASJA provides helpful resources such as market research. The society also offers mentoring services, meetings with editors, and events that include networking opportunities.
- Investigative Reporters and Editors
- A nonprofit organization dedicated to quality investigative reporting, IRE helps reporters and editors connect with other journalists. The organization offers a resource center, hosts conferences and training events, and runs programs that help investigative reporters professionally.
- National Association of Black Journalists
- Established in 1975, NABJ represents black journalists. Members receive access to a job board and career fair, student services support, and the membership directory. NABJ also offers scholarship and internship opportunities.
- Authors Guild
- A professional organization for writers in all genres, the Authors Guild provides professional development resources such as writer contract templates, guidance on copyright protections, and legal assistance. Members benefit from regional chapters with networking opportunities, seminars and panels, and reference guides.
