Department of Journalism
The Department of Journalism has been a part of making history and teaching students how to report it for more than 75 years. It is the birthplace of Public Broadcasting and the alma mater of winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Emmy Award and Peabody Award. The Department enjoys a national reputation as a quality program, enhanced by the faculty's real-world knowledge of and experience with the rapidly changing demands of mass media.
The journalism faculty have earned numerous professional and academic awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes, a credential unmatched by any other Big Ten university. But perhaps equally important, the men and women who teach in the Department of Journalism know how to translate their professional experience to the classroom, and the intimate laboratory setting of our skills classes affords students the opportunity to share that expertise.
Learning to integrate the methods and theories of public affairs journalism, Illinois students work closely with faculty who understand that a dedication to the art and craft of reporting demands a consistent attention to accuracy, fairness, balance, integrity, independence and accountability.
News-editorial Journalism
Students in the news-editorial sequence at Illinois prepare for careers in newspapers, magazines, books, the Internet and related professions. Alumni of the program have proven themselves at news organizations such as The Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, the Associated Press and many more. Students learn to ask intelligent questions, get the facts right and tell fair, balanced and thorough stories.
Broadcast Journalism
In laboratory classes that include live student-produced radio and television broadcasts, students are challenged to meet the demands of a multimedia experience by going beyond simply learning how to operate equipment to understanding and putting into action the methods and practices of public affairs journalism. Journalism majors in the broadcast sequence work with award-winning faculty and learn to use the latest technology and techniques. The program prepares them not only for work on camera or behind a microphone but for successful careers as writers, reporters, producers, editors and managers.
Student organizations
The Department of Journalism encourages students to get involved in a student organization such as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists or the Society for Professional Journalists, which offer connections to real-world experiences and networking with professionals.
Faculty expertise
The faculty in the Department of Journalism combine professional experience with wide-ranging scholarly interests in the study of public affairs journalism. The faculty have earned numerous academic and professional awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes.
Networking opportunities & alumni connections
Journalism majors have an annual opportunity to visit New York to see how journalism is done in the magazine capital of the county. There they can talk about internships and jobs and network with industry professionals, many of whom are College of Media alumni. Alumni also provide portfolio reviews, professional guidance and updates on the blurring of the lines between journalism venues. In January of each year, the College sponsors a Student/Alumni Interface during winter break, at which students can network with alumni working as journalism professionals in the Chicago area.
Career placement
The Department of Journalism offers assistance in acquiring internships and jobs, including an annual career night devoted to connecting students with journalism professionals.
Online resources
Special projects in the journalism curriculum
Journalism students experience China
Professor Nancy Benson and WILL Radio News Director Tom Rogers accompanied a group of journalism students on a working trip to China in 2007. You can see, hear and read about their experiences on the group's blog at will.atlas.uiuc.edu/index.php/chinaBlog/
News-Gazette reporting class
An experimental class pairing students with professional reporters ...