Journalism, Media and Professional Writing, Associate in Arts

Program Overview

Northampton's Journalism, Media & Professional Writing Program prepares students for careers in news media and professional communications. The Journalism Concentration emphasizes hands-on reporting experience, while the Business Writing Concentration focuses on news reporting and writing with a focus on business communication. Graduates are equipped with skills for careers in regional newspapers, web publications, public relations firms, and corporate communications offices.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Northampton's Journalism, Media & Professional Writing Program equips students with the skills necessary for a career in the dynamic, digital world of news media and professional communications in the 21st century. The program's emphasis on practical skills in reporting and writing for print and the web prepares students with no prior experience and provides those with some experience an opportunity to enhance their abilities.

Objectives:

• Journalism Concentration: Train students to report news of interest, relevance, and usefulness to the college community, emphasizing "learning by doing" through hands-on experience covering issues, trends, and events at and outside the school.
• Business Writing Concentration: Focus on news reporting and writing for publication, with additional emphasis on skills specific to business communication in a multicultural society.

Outline:

Journalism, Media and Professional Writing: Journalism Concentration

First Semester

• CMTH102: Introduction to Communication
• COLS101: College Success

Second Semester

• CMTH104: Mass Media and Society
• CMTH122: Radio Workshop (or JOUR210: Journalism Practicum)
• ENGL151L: English II
• HIST163: American History II
• MATH150: Introductory Statistics
• SOCA103G: Principles of Sociology

Third Semester

• BIOS126: Environmental Science
• GEOG101: World Geography
• JOUR204: Newswriting
• JOUR210: Journalism Practicum
• POLS251: State and Local Government
• General Education Elective (AH)

Fourth Semester

• CMTH180: Multimedia Production
• JOUR202: Social Media for Writers
• JOUR201G: Feature Writing
• JOUR210: Journalism Practicum
• Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective

Journalism, Media and Professional Writing: Business Writing Concentration

First Semester

• COLS101: College Success
• BUSA101: Introduction to Business
• CMTH102: Introduction to Communication
• ENGL101: English I
• JOUR102: News Editing
• JOUR104: Media Publication

Second Semester

• CMTH104: Mass Media and Society
• MATH150: Introductory Statistics
• PSYC103: Introduction to Psychology
• ENGL151R/T: English II

Third Semester

• BIOS126: Environmental Science
• BUSA221G: Business Communications
• ECON201: Macroeconomics
• JOUR204: Newswriting
• General Education Elective (AH)

Fourth Semester

• CMTH180: Multimedia Production
• GEOG101: World Geography
• JOUR202: Social Media for Writers
• JOUR203G: Writing for Public Relations

Careers:

Graduates with reporting and writing skills and a baccalaureate degree can expect to begin their careers at regional newspapers, web publications, or other news outlets, as well as public relations firms, corporate communications offices, or other employers who rely on communications specialists.