Because the study of journalism is so heavily dependent upon the written word, it’s an ideal degree program to pursue online.

Journalism programs typically include liberal arts courses, English with writing emphasis being one of the most important. Other social science courses, such as sociology, political science, economics, history, and speech are usually part of a journalism degree program.

Journalists are needed in virtually every discipline, so whether a potential student’s area of interest or expertise is in the social sciences or natural sciences, there’s sure to be a demand for writers in their chosen field, especially with larger publications. Some students choose to individualize their journalism programs and take elective courses in business, biology, computer science, or foreign language.

Schools Offering Accredited Journalism Degrees

Most major colleges and universities allow students to take at least some online courses toward their journalism degree. But some offer accredited journalism degrees, diplomas, or certificates that can be earned exclusively online. Following is a list of some:

Union Institute & University

Southern New Hampshire University

Ashford University - BA in Journalism and Mass Comm.

Walden University - BS in Communications/Public Relations

Kent State University - MA in Journalism and Mass Comm.

Employment Opportunities for Journalism Graduates

A degree in journalism can open the door to a wide range of job opportunities. Generally, salaries for occupations in the broadcast media are higher than for those in the print media and higher in larger metropolitan companies than in smaller publications or broadcast stations.
Following are some jobs open to journalism graduates. The job outlook and prospects for growth are from the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), covering the years 2008-2018. The current average annual salaries are taken from the website www.indeed.com.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

The BLS predicts a moderate decline in the number of these positions through 2018. Competition is described as “keen” at large stations, papers, networks, and magazines. The best opportunities for new graduates to land a job are at small stations, papers, and online publications and magazines.

The average annual salary for a news analyst or correspondent is $73,000 and for a reporter, $35,000.

Radio and Television Announcers

The BLS predicts a slow decline in the number of these positions due to the increasing popularity of satellite radio and other alternative media. Jobs at small stations are low-paying but offer the best opportunities to gain experience. There is also much competition for jobs as radio and TV announcers.

The average annual salary for a radio announcer is $40,000 and for a TV announcer, $52,000.

Authors, Writers, and Editors

The BLS predicts a growth of about 8 percent for these jobs to 2018. Competition is “keen” at established newspapers and magazines due to a greater focus on these companies’ online publishing ventures.

The average annual salary for authors is $73,000; for writers, $60,000; and for editors, $49,900.