Journalists play an important role in our democratic society. Evolutions in technology have allowed expansion of this  discipline to include broadcast and photojournalism, on-line journalism, and multimedia journalism.

Courses in journalism build a strong foundation in writing, reporting, and interviewing skills. Students also become familiar with journalistic ethics. Students planning careers in journalism may also want to take communication technology and society courses as they examine the social, political, and cultural forces that shape the interactive relationship between technology and communication. Students interested in political or international journalism may also want to take courses in political communication and global communication.

Students who complete the journalism sequence may compete in a number of job categories, including:

• Newspaper Reporter
• Blogger
• Copy Editor
• Columnist
• Documentarian
• Editor
• Editorial Cartoonist
• Designer
• Newsletter Editor
• Broadcast Journalist
• Photojournalist
• Videographer
• Publisher

Journalism students are encouraged to get hands-on experience in an internship. The department offers the Olympia Legislative Reporting Internship for those interested in political and legislative journalism, and the Journalism Foreign Intrigue Scholarship for those interested in international journalism. A full list of internships available through the department can be accessed here. Students may also want to get involved with student media, including the University of Washington’s award-winning campus newspaper, The Daily, or join the Society of Professional Journalists.

For examples of UW alums who have excelled in journalism, see the list of distinguished alumni, below.