Journalism and New Media, B.A.

California Baptist University

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism and New Media is an undergraduate program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving field of media. The program focuses on traditional journalism principles while incorporating the latest developments in new media technologies, digital platforms, and online communication. Students are trained to create content, tell stories, and engage audiences across various media formats, including print, broadcast, digital, and social media.

Program Summary:

The Journalism and New Media, B.A. program emphasizes the development of strong writing, reporting, and multimedia production skills. Students learn how to navigate the modern media landscape, with a focus on the changing dynamics of digital journalism, online publishing, social media, and audience interaction. The curriculum includes hands-on training in writing, video production, editing, social media management, and data journalism, while also covering essential topics like media ethics, law, and the business of journalism.

Key areas of study often include:

1. Journalistic Writing: Developing skills in news writing, feature writing, and investigative journalism for both print and online platforms.
2. Multimedia Production: Learning how to produce content across different formats, including video, audio, and photography, for digital and social media platforms.
3. Digital Journalism: Understanding the tools, technologies, and strategies used in digital journalism, including SEO, online storytelling, and social media engagement.
4. Media Ethics and Law: Studying the ethical considerations and legal issues surrounding journalism, such as freedom of the press, privacy, and defamation.
5. Broadcast Journalism: Gaining experience in producing content for television, radio, and online video platforms.
6. Data Journalism: Analyzing and visualizing data to tell compelling stories, using tools like spreadsheets and coding for interactive media.
7. Social Media and Audience Engagement: Learning how to use social media effectively for storytelling, audience building, and engagement, and understanding the impact of social platforms on journalism.
8. News Reporting and Investigations: Developing investigative skills, learning how to gather information, conduct interviews, and write in-depth reports.
9. Media and Society: Analyzing the role of media in shaping public opinion, political discourse, and cultural trends.
10. Professional Practice and Internships: Participating in internships and real-world projects to gain professional experience and build a portfolio of work.

Graduates of the Journalism and New Media, B.A. program are prepared to pursue careers in journalism, media production, public relations, digital content creation, social media management, and media strategy. They are also equipped to work across traditional media outlets and in the digital and online space, adapting to the fast-changing nature of the media industry.