Journalism Schools in California
The best majors in California for those pursuing a career in journalism is journalism itself or a related field. A bachelor's is typically required. Journalism colleges in California offer journalism degrees and related programs in mass communications and media studies. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Journalism degree programs in California often provide opportunities to specialize in specific types of news media and develop broadly applicable journalistic skills. Students earning an associate's journalism degree in California can transfer to a 4-year school in some instances. Some programs may be available online.
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With an associate's, bachelor's, or master's in journalism, California students gain hands-on experience through many methods, including internships, projects, and working for the school newspaper. Students can put together a portfolio, and graduate students may need to complete a thesis. The following are 10 good colleges for journalism in California; all are either public or private not-for-profit. Among them are three of the best broadcast journalism schools in California.
The Best Journalism Schools in California
Are you wondering where to get your journalism degree? We did the research for you. Here are the 10 best colleges for journalism in California.
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American River College
Located in Sacramento, American River College offers an Associate in Arts (AA) degree program in journalism. Students learn how to write features, editorials, and news for a variety of media formats. They also learn how to incorporate multimedia in their writings. The program provides training in research methods and ethical journalism practices, as well. Courses cover editing and production, reporting, and mass media. Transfer plans for 4-year universities are available.
California State University - Long Beach
Found in Long Beach, this university has a journalism minor and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program. For the minor, students take at least 18 units of basic journalism courses, like mass media ethics and reporting/information gathering. BA students are required to choose a minor and complete an internship for valued practical experience. Students take courses in online media, mass communications, and reporting as well as a senior seminar. The BA program offers an optional specialization in public relations.
California State University - Northridge
Located in Northridge, this university offers undergraduate and graduate-level journalism degree programs and minors in journalism and Spanish-language journalism. The BA program has specializations in broadcast journalism, general journalism, and journalism/public relations. Undergrad students must also complete a collateral requirement in a field like political science or history.
The journalism department also offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication program, including core courses in media criticism, mass communication theory, and mass communication law. Grad students can complete either a comprehensive exam or a thesis project.
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City College of San Francisco
Found in San Francisco, the City College of San Francisco offers an AA in Journalism and two certificate programs. AA students learn how to write news features, conduct sound research, and design for newspapers. The associate's degree program allows students to transfer to 4-year universities. The certificate program in editorial management/design teaches students about the design of newspapers, typography, and journalistic work. The online research certificate program has courses in broadcast writing, news media, and feature-writing. Students learn to write for a variety of formats and develop a portfolio.
East Los Angeles College
Located in Monterey Park, California, East Los Angeles College offers a journalism certificate and an AA degree program. Certificate students take 21 units of coursework in topics like mass communications, photography, editing, and news writing. AA students complete 60 units of coursework. AA courses include publication laboratory, public relations, news writing, and staff editor techniques. Students completing the AA degree program in journalism have the option of transferring to 4-year degree programs at a University of California or California State University campus and private and out-of-state schools if they meet school-specific preparation requirements.
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Roughly 10 miles from downtown San Diego, the SDSU School of Journalism and Media Studies offers both a journalism minor and a BA degree program. BA students can choose an emphasis in advertising, media studies, or public relations. Required journalism courses include media law, research methods, journalism, media writing, and multimedia news writing. Students also need to study a foreign language and a discipline related to journalism.
San Jose State University
Found in San Jose, SJSU's journalism options include a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Journalism program, an undergraduate minor in journalism, and a Master of Science (MS) in Mass Communications program. Students choose an emphasis in editing, photojournalism, radio/television news, magazine, or reporting in the bachelor's degree program. Numerous internship opportunities are available in the Silicon Valley area. Students pursuing the 18-credit minor can specialize in electronic media, reporting/editing, magazine journalism, or photojournalism.
The graduate program in mass communications requires students to complete a thesis, project, or comprehensive papers. Grad students learn about advanced journalism and media communication topics.
Santa Monica College
This college in Santa Monica offers an AA in Journalism program. Students write news, utilize multimedia, and help produce a school newspaper. They may take courses in opinion writing, editing, news photography, and public relations. To transfer to a 4-year institution, students must complete the primary and general education requirements specified by each school.
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University of California - Berkeley
Found in Berkeley, this university offers a 2-year Master of Journalism program. Students are required to take courses in advanced reporting, writing, ethics, and journalism law. Besides core journalism courses, students take courses in specific news areas, like business, environmental, or cultural reporting. They also study journalistic techniques, like a magazine or investigative reporting. An internship and a professional project are required. The Berkeley program has been ranked among the top media universities in California.
There is also a UC Berkeley journalism minor for undergraduates, available exclusively in the summer. Students will receive hands-on training across a variety of communications media, technologies, and practical skills.
University of Southern California
Located in Los Angeles, USC's journalism program delves into broadcast/digital journalism and print/digital journalism at an undergraduate level. Students may study print reporting, broadcast production, online media, and investigative reporting. The MA in Journalism program has tracks in audio, text, digital, news, and long-form videos. An MA in Specialized Journalism program is also offered, with an option to specialize in arts reporting. Students enrolled in the journalism graduate program in California can participate in international internships in South Africa, China, or the United Kingdom. The University of Southern California has been named among the best top journalism schools in California and the U.S.
California Journalism School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type and Setting | Journalism Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2019-2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | 2-year, public; large suburb | AA in Journalism and Mass Communication | $1,104 in-state; $8,928 out-of-state* |
| California State University - Long Beach | 4-year, public; large city | Minor in Journalism, BA in Journalism | $6,834 in-state; $18,714 out-of-state* |
| California State University - Northridge | 4-year, public; large city | Minor in Journalism or Spanish-Language Journalism, BA in Journalism, MA in Mass Communication | $6,977 in-state; $18,858 out-of-state* |
| City College of San Francisco | 2-year, public; large city | Certificate in Editorial Management/Design or Online Research, AA in Journalism | $1,155 in-state; $12,792 out-of-state* |
| East Los Angeles College | 2-year, public; small city | Certificate of Achievement in Journalism, AA in Journalism | $1,220 in-state; $8,110 out-of-state* |
| San Diego State University | 4-year, public; large city | Minor in Journalism, BA in Journalism | $7,510 in-state; $19,390 out-of-state* |
| San Jose State University | 4-year, public; large city | Minor in Journalism, BS in Journalism, MS in Mass Communications | $7,852 in-state; $19,732 out-of-state* |
| Santa Monica College | 2-year, public; small city | AA in Journalism | $1,144 in-state; $8,840 out-of-state* |
| University of California - Berkeley | 4-year, public; midsize city | Master of Journalism | $14,253 in-state; $44,007 out-of-state* |
| University of Southern California | 4-year, private not-for-profit; large city | BA in Broadcast/Digital Journalism or Print/Digital Journalism, MA in Journalism or Specialized Journalism | $58,195* |
Source: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics 2019-2020.
