Whether you want to write human interest stories, work for a lifestyle magazine or break political news on the campaign trail, you’ll find everything you need to unearth all your potential in the Greenlee School.

As a journalism and communication major, you’ll learn to generate, research and organize ideas; write, edit and present information for various media platforms and audiences. Many of our class assignments allow for creativity and innovation where you can pursue story ideas in areas that interest you – and story meetings function like a real-world newsroom environment.

Our bachelor of science degree in journalism and mass communication prepares you for a career that involves all aspects of news and information in communication-specific areas such as broadcast media, magazines and/or newspapers, photojournalism, science communication, visual communication and digital and emerging media. You’ll also graduate with a 300-hour capstone internship experience tto practice and refine your skills. Picture yourself gaining real-world experience at CNN, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, The Washington Post, TIME, People Inc, NPR and many other local and national media outlets, organizations and businesses.

Headshot of Sheaffer

Greenlee has opened a lot of doors for me, not just with the opportunities they have provided for me to further my career in Journalism, but also with giving me an education that clearly stems from all the staff in the building wanting the best for me.

Kayde Sheaffer, ’27 journalism and mass communication

Undergraduate minor

You can complete a journalism and mass communication minor in just 15 credits. With only two required courses, you can choose your remaining electives from topics that fit your unique interests.

This minor is not available to students who already have a primary major in the Greenlee School.

General requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, a student must earn at least 120 credits. These include general education course requirements s in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). A minimum of 72 credits must come from courses other than ADVRT, JLMC or PR. At least 50 of these credits must come from the liberal arts and sciences. Overall, at least 45 credits must be from 3000-level courses or above.

4+1 Graduate Program

Our 4+1 program allows you to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years by taking graduate-level courses in your fourth year at Iowa State. Your final courses and thesis or creative component will be completed in your fifth year. This is a great opportunity to earn both your undergraduate and graduate degree, expanding your career opportunities.

Experiences

As a journalism and mass communication major, you’ll find your people right away through our Greenlee learning communities. You can also hit the ground running to gain professional experience through our many student media clubs and organizations. Hone your news skills by working at the Iowa State Daily, write for campus publications like TREND Magazine or Cardinal Eats, join the team at Greenlee TV or apply to host a show on KURE 88.5 radio.

Whether you get involved in our First Amendment Days celebration or explore Iowa State’s 800+ student organizations for hobbies, volunteerism, intramural sports and more, community is in the making here.

 

Journalism careers in the making

Your journalism and mass communication major can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities across different media platforms. You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in storytelling, critical thinking and ethical reporting to inform and engage the public. With training in writing, editing, multimedia production and investigative techniques, you will be equipped to thrive in fast-paced environments where timely and accurate information is crucial. Here are just some examples of the careers you can pursue with a degree in journalism:

  • News reporter
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Investigative journalist
  • Editor
  • Multimedia producer
  • Content writer
  • Public affairs specialist
  • Social media journalist
  • and more!

Get to know the LAS career services team to help you explore the many career opportunities a degree in advertising can open for you.