Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Journalism Programs for 2019
While a bachelor's degree in journalism can lead to an exciting, dynamic career in reporting, it also can prepare you for an array of positions in other fields. Graduates of online journalism degrees work in corporate communications and public relations, for example, where an understanding of media and the ability to craft messages are crucial skills. Additionally, these positions are in high demand; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects careers in public relations to grow 9% by 2026. With mass media moving increasingly online, and the demand for digital content growing rapidly, the skills learned from an online bachelor's degree in journalism have never been more relevant.
What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Journalism Programs?
Top 10 Online Bachelors in Journalism Programs for 2019
Admissions Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
78%
Online Enrollment
11%
Retention Rate
91%
Default Rate
5%
UMass Amherst knows that life experience can be just as valuable as knowledge gained in the classroom. Its University Without Walls (UWW) program, designed for adult learners, allows students to transfer up to 75 course credits for prior schooling, military service, professional training, and work and life experience. Through the UWW, students can pursue a journalism degree online.
It is possible to complete UMass Amherst's bachelor of arts with a journalism studies concentration entirely online, though students may also opt to take courses in a blended on- and off-campus format. The program requires 120 course credits, 12 of which students must acquire prior to applying. The school's tuition and fees structure remains the same for all distance learners, and remote students do not pay for on-campus services they don't receive. The program welcomes applicants who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree and reside outside of Alabama and Arkansas.
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What Will I Learn in an Online Journalism Program?
Students in an online bachelor's degree in journalism program take courses in the mechanics of producing journalistic content, as well as the theories and concepts behind mass media and the press. Different programs offer different areas of emphasis — and curriculums may differ — so students should check with their prospective school to confirm which courses are offered.
Newswriting and reporting This course covers the basics in writing and news gathering, like interviewing and public records researching. Students also learn writing and editing for news, and check for logic, accuracy, and consistency in style.
Visual and multimedia Students learn journalistic photography and videography, and ways to create a visual narrative. Multimedia courses also cover social media, digital platforms, web production, and podcasts.
Magazine writing Students write and prepare long-form pieces for publication in magazines. The course builds on newspaper writing to blend a writer's point of view into their reporting.
Public relations This course covers building and maintaining relationships with the public. Students explore media campaign design and create the concrete parts of a campaign, including press releases, newsletters, and media kits.
Law and ethics A study of responsibilities and freedom of the press, and the First Amendment Supreme Court cases that have shaped it. This course also teaches concepts like censorship, libel, and privacy.
What Can I do with an Online Journalism Degree?
There is an array of careers in media production and circulation available to graduates with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Online and print newspapers and television news networks hire journalism majors to create content; corporations and other organizations hire media specialists to manage relations with media or produce content that promotes their goals. Many of these jobs can lead to more advanced, related careers, as seen in the table below.
Journalists investigate events and package them into stories in newspapers, magazines, or television segments. They work with editors to select which topics might appeal to the audience. Journalists have excellent communication skills deliver their research and write and produce content.
Median Salary: $39,733
Job Outlook and Salary for Journalism Graduates
While job growth in traditional print journalism and editing has stalled in recent years, careers that require similar skills and expertise found in online degree programs in journalism are growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that public relations specialist positions are projected to increase in number by 9% by 2026, while public relations and fundraising managers are projected to increase by 10%
Salaries for these careers vary based on industry and location. For example, senior editors in San Francisco earn 29% over the median salary. In Washington, D.C., a public relations specialists averages 50% more than the median salary, while journalists earn 62% more.
| Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 431,700 | 450,300 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Journalism Professionals
Like most other career fields, the field of journalism rewards experience. As employees advance in their careers, they can expect a higher salary, especially for editors. Many of these roles lead to advanced positions with even greater salaries. For example a public relations manager can expect to earn a median $63,192, and a senior editor $67,011.
To determine the best online bachelor's in journalism programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online bachelor's in journalism programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.