Journalism

Career - what can you do with a journalism degree?

With a journalism degree from BGSU, you’ll be ready from day one to step into exciting roles across the media landscape. Among these:

• Content creator/digital journalist. Build audiences across social media platforms, create engaging multimedia content and pioneer new forms of storytelling that reach younger demographics where they consume news. 
• Reporter. Break news, investigate stories and hold powerful institutions accountable. Reporters remain the backbone of an informed democratic society. 
• Television news reporter/producer. Bring stories to life on screen as you cover breaking news, produce investigative segments or anchor the evening broadcast. 
• Radio journalist. Master the art of audio storytelling. Conduct live interviews. Produce compelling podcast content. Radio journalism combines traditional broadcasting with cutting-edge digital platforms. 
• Content  writer/editor. Dive deep into specialized topics, craft feature stories and shape editorial content for print and digital publications spanning every industry and interest. 
• Multimedia producer. Create immersive storytelling experiences using video, graphics and interactive elements for digital platforms. 
• SEO content specialist. Combine journalistic integrity with digital marketing savvy, creating content that ranks well in search engines while maintaining editorial standards. 
• Public relations specialist. Use your storytelling skills to craft compelling narratives for organizations, manage crisis communications and build brand reputation. 
• Corporate communications manager. Lead internal and external communications for companies, nonprofits and government agencies. 
• Social media manager. Develop voice and strategy for brands across platforms and create content that engages audiences and drives meaningful conversations.
  

A bachelor’s degree in journalism is also a strong foundation for graduate programs that can open doors in specialized fields. These include:

• Law school
• Media and communication M.A.
• Media and communication Ph.D.
• MBA programs
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)

BGSU student media

Your story starts here. At Bowling Green State University, you won’t just study journalism. You’ll live it, breathe it and master it. You’ll be doing the work actual journalists do – with real deadlines, real audiences and real impact. 

Falcon Media is an umbrella organization encompassing all BGSU student media organizations. It provides journalism majors ample opportunity to transform classroom theory into career-ready skills.

• Follow breaking news for BG Falcon Media.
• Anchor the twice-weekly BG 24 News television broadcast
• Deliver exciting sports updates for the Falcon Media Sports Network (FMSN) or BG Swoop.
• Host programs on WBGU-FM.
• Write investigative pieces for The BG News.

These media outlets are more than extracurricular endeavors. These experiences become part of your career launching pad. You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio, industry connections and the confidence that comes from an established track record of success in your chosen field. 

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree program at BGSU requires core courses in journalism, reporting and technology. 

Journalism students must demonstrate foreign language proficiency by:

• Graduating from a high school where instruction was conducted in a non-English language.
• Passing a proficiency exam at the 2020 course level.
• Completing four years of one language in high school.
• Completing specific world language courses at BGSU.

Students must also choose a 20-hour minor degree in a field outside of journalism and mass communication. Near the end of their coursework, students complete a journalism internship in either public affairs reporting or advanced video reporting. A grade of “C” or better is required in all journalism courses and a minimum overall 2.5 GPA to graduate.  

Required courses

Journalism minor

The 23-credit journalism minor develops critical thinking, research and communication skills. Core courses cover journalism writing, reporting, media law and ethics, plus hands-on experience through Falcon Media. Students master fact-checking, interviewing and deadline writing while exploring specializations like video reporting and digital storytelling. 

This minor can be particularly beneficial for students studying political science, business and social sciences. The ability to gather information accurately, ask probing questions and communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences is increasingly important in these fields.