About the Undergraduate Journalism Major
There has never been a more exciting—and challenging—time to be a journalist. The public has unlimited appetite for information and news, and technology has generated an explosive diversity of media outlets. Meanwhile, market forces continue to disrupt and transform the profession, while critics fervently debate the role and future of a free press.
Emerson College’s Journalism BS program is one of the nation’s most esteemed and elite undergraduate programs in journalism. Housed in the Department of Journalism in the School of Communication, the program's faculty teach you the skills and confidence required to plunge into the swirling realms of politics, culture, social justice, and international crises. You will dig deep, tell compelling stories, and galvanize public awareness—all in keeping with time-honored ethical and professional standards.
...Emerson gives me so many opportunities to improve my skills, whether it is my writing skills, my on-camera skills, or my editing skills. To be in contact with so many outstanding professors who have been in the industry for a long time and are willing to give me help, feedback, and advice really made a difference in my academic experience. I leave knowing that I am more than prepared for the real world.
Real-World Experience as a Journalist
Journalism majors have ample opportunity to gain real-world learning experience. Here are a few examples:
- Through participation in student organization WEBN, students have the opportunity to cover large-scale national events such as the Boston Marathon, Election Night, and the Super Bowl.
- Students hone their reporting and editing skills through working on the College’s student newspaper, The Berkeley Beacon.
- Students work on a capstone project with longer-form storytelling that highlights their reporting skills.
- Because Boston is a top 10 media market, a variety of internship sites are available at local newspapers and TV stations, including The Boston Globe and WHDH-TV.
Careers for Journalism Majors
Our Journalism graduates seek careers that require writing, reporting, editing, photography, and videography skills. Examples of careers include:
- Freelance Journalist
- Newspaper Reporter
- Newsroom Coordinator
- Podcast Producer
- Videographer
Notable Journalism Alumni
- Ben Collins, Reporter, NBC News
- Latoyia Edwards, Anchor, New England Cable News
- Anissa Gardizy, Technology and Innovation Reporter, The Boston Globe
- Jill Gearin, Play-by-Play Broadcaster, Visalia Rawhide
- David Goodman, Editorial Producer and Booker, CNN
Emerson’s Journalism program has blessed me with incredible experiences. From interviewing stars like Jimmy Fallon, Jason Bateman, and Jennifer Garner to attending legendary events like Super Bowl LVII, Comics Come Home 26, and the 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards—the opportunities have been endless! Needless to say, I have seized every moment available to pursue my dreams of becoming an on-air reporter.