A UM Journalism student kneels with a camera and takes photos of a controlled burn in the University of Montana's Lubrecht Experimental Forest near Missoula, MT.

Journalism

At the University of Montana School of Journalism, students gain real-world journalism experience that builds them impressive portfolios, gets them their dream careers and wins them national awards.

In 2026, the UM J-School was named tenth in the nation by the national Hearst Journalism Awards and FIRST for photojournalism.

Maddie McCuddy and Claire Bernard at Hearst Awards

UM Journalism Program Wins Big

Despite being one of the smaller programs competing, our students won the national photojournalism championship and placed second in writing in the highly competitive Hearst Journalism Championships.

Find out more
Noah Epps taking a photo of a monkey in Nepal

From Montana to Nepal

This summer our students headed to Nepal to report on efforts to protect and preserve wildlife and examine the challenges facing women and indigenous cultures.

Read their reporting

95%

of recent grads landed jobs or started their own businesses after graduation.

$410K

That's how much money we gave out to current students in scholarships and awards this year, thanks to the vibrant community that supports our program.

14:1

Our 14:1 faculty to student ratio means you get more than lectures at the J-School. You get hands-on learning and true mentorship. And almost none of those classes are taught by TAs.

10

At the UM J-School, we say you "learn by doing" and we mean it. Between class projects and extra curricular jobs (like at the Montana Kaimin or KBGA College Radio), there are more than 10 different professional-level projects for you to work on.

One Trailblazing Student's Journey

YouTube video
The Obit Project Logo

The Obit Project Podcast

A new podcast series emerging from the University of Montana is reshaping one of journalism’s oldest forms – the obituary – by asking student reporters to listen more closely to the lives behind the loss.

Find out more about the podcast
Students at the first Photo Workshop

The 2026 Montana Photo Workshop

Applications are now open!

Join us for the third annual intensive photojournalism workshop at the University of Montana School of Journalism. The Montana Photo Workshop is a 4-day intensive workshop.

Find out more about the workshop

Degree Options

At the School of Journalism, you can pick one specific track, or you can do it all. Click the options at left or below to explore some of the tracks.

Or, click here to learn about all your options
  • Man with microphone interviews woman in stocking cap outside.

    Audio and Podcasting

    Audio students anchor newscasts on the college radio station KBGA, intern with Montana Public Radio and produce original podcasts alongside some of the nation's best audio journalists — just a few of the projects that get them on air before graduation.
  • Woman with notebook in hand laughs with others.

    Writing, Reporting and Editing

    Our graduates cover everything from Congress to city council meetings. They break news, hold power accountable and tell the stories of the people living through it — work that runs everywhere from the New York Times to small-town weeklies.
  • Man points camera with pink sky in background.

    Photo and Visual Journalism

    The photojournalism and visual journalism track at the University of Montana School of Journalism turns out work that wins, not just competes. Students place at the Hearst Journalism Awards — journalism's answer to the Pulitzers — while still undergrads, and graduate into jobs at newsrooms nationwide.

  • Woman stands in front of camera and teleprompter

    TV and Film

    Whether your goal is in front of the camera or behind it, the TV and film track at the University of Montana School of Journalism gets you making real work, not just studying it. The Student Documentary Unit capstone produces a full-length documentary for Montana PBS every year, and graduates go on to work as reporters, producers, directors and editors.
  • Woman in blue shirt stands in marble building

    Social Media, Marketing and Public Relations

    The social media, marketing and PR track takes core journalism skills — writing, reporting, design, video and photography — and turns them loose on real clients, causes and campaigns. Students build a professional portfolio of actual client work, not hypothetical case studies, before they graduate. Graduates go on to work as communications directors, social media producers, marketing specialists and creative producers.
  • Woman with camera sits atop fishing boat on river.

    All Tracks

    You're not locked into one path here — combine tracks, switch lanes, or build your own mix of writing, audio, visual and PR courses as your interests evolve.
Man with microphone interviews woman in stocking cap outside.

Audio and Podcasting

Audio students anchor newscasts on the college radio station KBGA, intern with Montana Public Radio and produce original podcasts alongside some of the nation's best audio journalists — just a few of the projects that get them on air before graduation.
Woman with notebook in hand laughs with others.

Writing, Reporting and Editing

Our graduates cover everything from Congress to city council meetings. They break news, hold power accountable and tell the stories of the people living through it — work that runs everywhere from the New York Times to small-town weeklies.
Man points camera with pink sky in background.

Photo and Visual Journalism

The photojournalism and visual journalism track at the University of Montana School of Journalism turns out work that wins, not just competes. Students place at the Hearst Journalism Awards — journalism's answer to the Pulitzers — while still undergrads, and graduate into jobs at newsrooms nationwide.

Woman stands in front of camera and teleprompter

TV and Film

Whether your goal is in front of the camera or behind it, the TV and film track at the University of Montana School of Journalism gets you making real work, not just studying it. The Student Documentary Unit capstone produces a full-length documentary for Montana PBS every year, and graduates go on to work as reporters, producers, directors and editors.
Woman in blue shirt stands in marble building

Social Media, Marketing and Public Relations

The social media, marketing and PR track takes core journalism skills — writing, reporting, design, video and photography — and turns them loose on real clients, causes and campaigns. Students build a professional portfolio of actual client work, not hypothetical case studies, before they graduate. Graduates go on to work as communications directors, social media producers, marketing specialists and creative producers.
Woman with camera sits atop fishing boat on river.

All Tracks

You're not locked into one path here — combine tracks, switch lanes, or build your own mix of writing, audio, visual and PR courses as your interests evolve.

Guardian reporter visits J-School, discusses award-winning article

YouTube video