Media Production and Journalism
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Media Production and Journalism

Are you a news and information junkie? Do you enjoy learning about new things and sharing them with others? If so, create headlines in your career by majoring in media production and journalism.

About

This major prepares students for careers in media production (audio/visual and digital) and journalism. A mix of theoretical and practical classes enable the students to deal with an ever-changing media landscape. Students use state-of-the-art facilities and technologies to produce winning projects.

Why Journalism and Electronic Media is in Demand:

  • Journalism and communication are listed among the college majors most in demand today. (Source: CareerBuilder.com)
  • Strong written and verbal communication, creative thinking and digital media acumen are applicable skills in any career.
  • Median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $62,340 in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Today’s digital age provides unprecedented opportunities in electronic media.

Is it for me?

Are you:

  • Curious and creative?
  • A good writer?
  • Technologically savvy?

Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Journalism and Electronic Media

1.
Employment.   Graduates from the Department of Communication & Media have an impressive record of full-time employment in the field. In fact, 91% of recent graduates had full-time employment within 6 months of graduating.
2.
Strong community.   In the College of Arts and Sciences, the liberal arts environment provides a supportive community. Students are treated as individuals, and professors know each student personally.
3.
Dedicated faculty.   Our faculty are exceptional professors in the classroom – they're also advisors and professional advocates for your career. We have faculty who have worked in radio, as news reporters and journalists. As a result, they know what it is like to be on the front lines and how to get on the front pages.
4.
Jesuit education.   The focus on intellectual curiosity is key in developing journalistic skills. The Jesuit principles of excellence, reflection and discernment, and concern for the individual bring deep levels of meaning to each student’s experience.
5.
Facilities and student organizations.   Journalism and electronic media majors have the opportunity to work with campus radio and television stations, as well as a student magazine and social media. Having recently undergone a half-a-million-dollar renovation, the department's Sound Stage is the largest space of its kind in NE Pennsylvania. It boasts industry-standard cameras, lighting, drones and audio equipment. The multi-camera system integrates seamlessly with the adjoining Control Room equipment and students have easy access to nearby editing and podcasting suites.

  • Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus

    You'll learn how to:

    • Adapt to new and emerging technology
    • See “the big picture” surrounding issues and conflict
    • Write for search engine optimization (SEO)
    • Master the art of reflection and learn how to question

    Internships

    There’s no better way to discover what a career in journalism is really like than to spend a summer as an intern in a professional media environment. Here you will refine your aspirations and make invaluable contacts and connections.

    Imagine interning in the second largest TV market in the United States. That’s where Sarah Beckley, Class of 2016, found herself when she became the proud recipient of a highly coveted summer internship at Channel 7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles. Sponsored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Sarah was one of just 40 college students nationwide selected for a paid eight-week work-study in professional production.

    Some recent internship sites for communication and media majors include:

    • Discovery Channel
    • Fox News
    • Yankees
    • 93.3 WMMR radio
    • Good Morning America
    • Golf Magazine
    • Phillies
    • Sirius XM

    You get to know all of your professors. It's not too big, but it's not too small either. And it's really easy to walk into your professor's office and ask for help with whatever you need, and to get involved with various clubs and organizations that have to do with communication.

    -Mitchell Demytrk, Class of 2020

  • What You'll Learnplus or minus

    Curriculum

    The communication and media curriculum features a solid foundation of writing and public speaking. In addition to specific courses in journalism and electronic media, you are able to choose electives in political science, government or geography to round out your knowledge base for your chosen field of interest.

    View the curriculum.

  • Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus

    Online and traditional journalists are in positions to lead and create change in society. Whether this means reporting the news to keep people informed in an emergency, covering local political races, uncovering scandal or sharing entertaining stories – journalists have their fingers on the pulse of society.

    Communication and media majors contribute work and energy to local organizations through internships and class projects. While the students gain practical experience, they also contribute to society. 

    Students and faculty often participate in University-sponsored service trips to other countries, such as a recent mission to Uganda. The January trip is part of the Christianity in Africa course team taught by Kim Pavlick, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication and media, and two professors from other disciplines. The trip exposes our students to the kind of consequential global stories they are likely to cover as journalists.  

Careers

Where will Media Production and Journalism take me?

Students enter the workplace armed with practical skills and experience to hit the ground running. Even as technology and methods of communication evolve, as they inevitably will in today’s constantly changing world, the lifelong skills you’ll learn in this program will enable you to remain competitive in the field.

Some examples of jobs are: blogger, staff writer, feature writer, copyeditor, content editor, producer, broadcaster, video producer and columnist.

Top Graduate Schools:

We are proud to list just a few of the prominent graduate schools which have admitted our communication and media graduates:

  • University of Hawaii
  • New York Law School
  • Liberty University

Leading Employers

You’ll find Scranton graduates working in a wide range of companies and organizations including:

  • 1010 WINS
  • BBC America
  • CBS Radio
  • Cumulus Media
  • Discovery Channel
  • Golf Magazine
  • NBC Sports
  • SB Nation
  • The Scranton Times Tribune

How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge

University of Scranton alumni retain strong ties to their alma mater. This means that you will have access to a wide and influential network for informational interviews and job placements.

You’ll gain solid practical experience through internships, class projects, study and service trips, and campus media for an impressive resume that will stand out in the competitive job market. 

Exceptional students have been recognized regionally and nationally, sending a message about the strong journalism preparation and high quality of graduates coming from Scranton. For example, Colleen Day was awarded the Lawrence K. Beaupre Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism. The award honors the late editor of the Times-Tribune.

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Get the Facts

View PDF with Program Overview
& Curriculum

For More Information

Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu

Department of Communication and Media
Stacy Smulowitz, Ph.D., A.B.C.
Chair, Department of Communication and Media
(570) 941-4135
stacy.smulowitz@scranton.edu

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