Best Online Journalism Bachelor's Degree Programs

There are many colleges and universities that offer online degrees in journalism, both undergraduate and graduate. In these programs, students have a chance to learn the skills to research, report, write, and distribute the news for papers, magazines, online publications, radio, and television. These programs are usually flexible and can be done completely online, but because a journalist's job is in part to be out in the world, researching and reporting stories, many programs incorporate in-person learning opportunities like internships.

Online Associate Degrees in Journalism

There are numerous colleges that offer an online Associate in Arts degree in journalism-related fields. They usually come in the form of Communication Studies or Media Studies. These programs are typically designed for students looking to transfer to a four-year university and earn a bachelor's. A student can complete an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in four semesters, or two years, finishing with a total of 60-63 credits, some in general coursework and the rest focused on journalism-related subjects.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Journalism

Anyone wanting to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Journalism can do so at numerous collegiate institutions around the country. These programs may have names like Strategic Communication or Media Communication. Bachelor's degrees in journalism are usually four-year programs, requiring 120 credits altogether, with around 40 credits focused on journalism-related courses.

Online Master's Degrees in Journalism

A Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Journalism is an option for anyone with a BA or BS in Journalism who wants to pursue their studies further. They require between 31 and 36 credits, and they are typically flexible in terms of how long it takes to complete the degree. These programs might take anywhere from one to two years going full-time, or even longer part-time. Some master's programs in this field might offer specializations in digital media, writing and reporting or integrated media communications.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Journalism

Doctorates in journalism are typically designed for professionals who want to take on advanced research roles and teaching positions in higher education. Since the role of a PhD student often requires teaching experiences, dissertations and working with members of faculty, these programs usually require on-campus attendance. While some programs may include limited online courses, online doctoral degrees in journalism do not exist from accredited institutions.

Online Certificates in Journalism

There are many ways to earn a certificate in the field of journalism online. These programs can be suited to the schedule of the student and can be completed in various timeframes. They require anywhere from 15 to 18 credits for completion and typically offer a handful of highly focused courses like introduction to journalism, journalism ethics, and journalism in practice. A certificate in journalism and other non-degree courses and classes are meant to help an aspiring journalist learn the skills and demands of the field without spending the time and money on a degree.

Journalism is an enormous field that encompasses and intersects with many other fields, and thus it comes with many opportunities for specializations and concentrations. Many programs offer concentrations within the general subject, but sometimes these concentrations spill over into other majors, such as media law or media sociology. Most programs require students to take specific courses in their specialization, just as they would with a minor degree. Here are some of the available concentrations, specializations, or tracks in journalism:

• Photojournalism
• Sports journalism
• Public relations
• Broadcast journalism
• Strategic comunication
• Digital journalism
• Publishing
• Media technology

Journalism courses cover a wide variety of skillsets, giving budding journalists a background in several forms of news reporting and media work. They may also have the opportunity to learn about journalism's history and its role in society. Additionally, an online journalism program aims to provide students with instruction in photography, video, web design, editing, and public relations. Here are some examples of coursework required by many degree-seeking institutions:

• Newswriting

• Feature writing

• Ethics in media

• Online journalism

• Visual communication

• Research and development

Most bachelor's in journalism programs are designed to be completed in four years, but there are opportunities to earn a degree in a shorter timeframe. The four-year length estimate is based on a course load of around 15 credits per semester, but some institutions allow students to take as many as 18 credits per semester. If a student wishes to take more than 15 credits each semester at a college that allows for this (or take summer courses), they can complete their degree faster. Conversely, most bachelor's degree programs allow students to attend part-time, meaning that a degree can take longer than four years depending on the student's pace. This kind of pace might be well-suited for students with families or students who are working full-time.

Any student wishing to pursue an online degree in journalism should make sure the institution they are applying to has either national or regional accreditation. National accreditation is typically found at for-profit or trade schools while regional accreditation is often found at public universities and is usually considered more exacting. Accreditation is overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and seven regional bodies of accreditation including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

In addition to these, there is also the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), which focuses on colleges and universities offering programs in journalism. This type of accreditation typically indicates that the journalism program has met certain independently set standards when it comes to preparing students to work in the field.

Most states do not have any licensing requirements for journalists. For employers, experience and publication history are the barometers for employment.

Similarly, there are no official certifying bodies in journalism in the United States.

A career in journalism can come in many forms, and anyone wishing to pursue such a career would be wise to determine their specific interests to discover how much education and experience is required of them in order to land entry-level positions. Here are some possible career choices for people with various levels of degrees in journalism:

• News reporter
• Broadcast journalist
• Editor
• Sports journalist
• Investigative reporter
• Publisher
• News producer
• Information analyst

How to Become a News Reporter

A news reporter typically works on a daily print or online publication, researching and writing articles on subjects that fall within their purview. Most news reporters focus on a specialized subject (e.g. local politics, technology or sports). Their jobs demand a wide range of skills, from researching to interviewing and writing. Most news outlets prefer to hire reporters with a bachelor's or master's in journalism or communication, but almost as important as a degree is experience, which can come in the form of an internship or working for a college newspaper or journal. Because journalists often have a specialization, an aspiring news reporter might also take courses in subjects they are interested in covering. Newspapers and other news organizations may hire those with degrees in similar subjects, like English or political science, but in such cases, journalistic experience would also be required. Anyone looking to do on-air reporting will certainly need some experience in on-camera performance.

The median pay for reporters and correspondents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is $46,270, although the pay specifically for newspaper reporters is less, at $36,700. The pay for radio and television broadcasters, however, is more: $53,410. The BLS projects a decline in job growth of 11% between 2019 and 2029.

How to Become an Editor

Similar to journalists, editors usually have bachelor's or master's degrees in journalism, communication, or English, as well as experience in the industry. Their work overseeing publications--which can include assigning articles, working with reporters, planning out a publication schedule--demands organization and requires numerous skills, as it is a management position. As such, most editors work their way into their roles, usually by starting out as editorial assistants or as journalists before moving their way up.

According to the BLS, the median salary for an editor is $61,370, but pay differs depending on the industry. Editors of scientific or technical journals make somewhere in the vicinity of $69,270, whereas newspaper or book editors earn less, with a median salary of $57,030. The BLS is projecting a job growth decline of 7% for editors between 2019 and 2029.

As an online degree in journalism can come with various costs, a student may need to find financial assistance to allow them to attend the program of their choice. The first place a student should look is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what loans and grants they qualify for. Additionally, a student may apply for scholarships and grants from numerous national organizations.

Many schools offer scholarships within their programs. Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, for instance, offers numerous opportunities for scholarships and grants. Students may want to speak with the financial aid offices at their schools to see what scholarships may be available to them.

There are many factors a student might need to consider when choosing a journalism program. The first is mostly like cost. To consider this, a student would do well to consult the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator tool, which will give an estimate of the cost of attendance for a program. School websites often include calculators to help students understand how much their education will cost.

Students might also consider a school's ranking, its reputation, its faculty, and its connections to media opportunities. A program in a larger city like New York or Los Angeles will probably have, by virtue of its location, many connections to major media outlets. A school with a high ranking in various lists can help a graduating student find a job. And a faculty of experienced or well-known journalists can also help in transitioning someone from a student to a professional.

There are many organizations created to assist journalists in their burgeoning careers. There are general ones like the Society of Professional Journalists, which aims to help its 6,000 members with career development and continued education. There are also organizations founded for specific groups of working journalists, like the National Association of Black Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Native American Journalists Association, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. These can be invaluable resources in an ever-changing field.