Journalism FAQs
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Yes. The School of Journalism at the University of Montana is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) — the gold standard for journalism school accreditation, held by approximately 120 programs nationally. UM's program is ranked in the top 10 nationally, and admission to the professional program is competitive.
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The B.A. in Journalism provides a broad, multi-platform education in print, digital, broadcast, photojournalism, audio, documentary film, and online media — built on a strong liberal arts foundation. Students begin with pre-professional coursework in political science, business, history, and general education requirements, then apply to the professional program after completing prerequisites. In the professional program, students choose from a wide range of courses in reporting, writing, editing, producing, directing, visual journalism, and media law and ethics, culminating in 10-plus capstone projects in professional publication and broadcast contexts.
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Class size is restricted. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 GPA in pre-journalism courses. Applications are reviewed in autumn and spring semesters. Transfer students from other ACEJMC-accredited programs may be admitted on a space-available basis with equivalent coursework receiving transfer credit.
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Students report for and edit the Montana Kaimin, UM's independent student newspaper — one of the most active student media organizations in the Northwest. Senior capstone projects include Byline Magazine, the Montana Native News project (covering Indigenous communities across Montana's seven reservations), student documentary films, and intermediate and advanced visual journalism productions. All work is reviewed by professional editors and producers, giving students portfolio pieces that meet industry standards before graduation.
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Faculty are working journalists alongside their teaching roles. Jule Banville co-leads The Obit Project with collaborator Jad Abumrad, the MacArthur "Genius" Fellow and Radiolab founder. National Magazine Award winner Jacob Baynham brings his profile-writing craft into the classroom. The School's T. Anthony Pollner Distinguished Professorship has recently brought in Pulitzer winner William Wan and former National Geographic editor-in-chief Chris Johns. Director Lee Banville meets personally with every incoming student and continues to publish and report. A 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio means individual mentorship, not lecture-hall anonymity.
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Ninety-four percent of UM journalism graduates land jobs in the field. Alumni include Nathan Rott at NPR, Brontë Wittpenn at the San Francisco Chronicle, Tailyr Irvine at National Geographic, Nora Saks at WBUR and Autumn Barnes at Hidden Brain, working across reporting, photography, audio production and documentary film.
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The School of Journalism awards more than $426,000 in scholarships annually. Incoming students can also apply for the Director's Scholar Program, which offers up to $5,000 plus personal mentorship from Director Lee Banville, with an early consideration deadline of Dec. 1 and a regular deadline of Feb. 15, both ahead of UM's March 1 priority deadline. Students from Western Undergraduate Exchange states may also qualify for reduced tuition rates.
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Salaries vary by role, employer, and experience. National averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2025 include: reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts at $62,200; film and video editors and camera operators at $75,100; public relations specialists at $74,750; editors at $77,920; and technical writers at $90,390. UM journalism graduates move into the full range of these roles, with the program's track record in competitive national markets suggesting strong early-career placement.
Jump To
94%
of graduates land jobs after graduation
20:1
student-to-faculty ratio means connections, mentorship and personal attention
10+
professional-level capstone projects to learn by doing, get published/aired and build your portfolio and connections
What Can You Do With a Journalism Degree?
Graduates of our Journalism program go on to do important work, nationally, internationally and here in Montana. They direct newsrooms, report on international issues, photograph history, inform the public on air, start their own businesses, influence public policy, publish books and become leaders in their communities. A recent survey found that 94% of our journalism majors landed jobs after graduation.
Why Employers Choose UM Journalism Graduates
Students majoring in Journalism at the University of Montana have access to a level of hands-on learning and expert mentorship few programs can match. As a result, our graduates are equipped with crucial writing, communication, storytelling and critical thinking skills that make them stand out to employers, and help them excel in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications and related fields.
Journalism Jobs
Graduates of the UM School of Journalism have gone on to successful careers with organizations like CBS News, The Washington Post, ESPN Magazine, The New York Times, HuffPost, National Public Radio, NBC News, The Seattle Times, the Associated Press and the U.S. Senate. Examples of potential journalism jobs and other careers with a journalism degree include:
- Reporter
- Editor
- Freelance or magazine writer
- News producer
- Broadcaster
- Podcaster
- Audio producer
- TV anchor
- Video creator
- Social media strategist
- PR specialist
- Film and video photographer/editor
- Photographer
Journalism Salaries
Journalism salaries will vary depending on your field, where you work and your level of experience. Here are national salary averages for journalism jobs and related careers:*
- Reporters, journalists and broadcast news analysts: $62,200
- Film and video editors and camera operators: $75,100
- Public relations specialists: $74,750
- Editors: $77,920
- Technical writers: $90,390
*Based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Experiential Learning in the Journalism Program
Real-world knowledge is crucial to a journalism education. As a Journalism major at UM, you’ll learn by doing while reporting at home and across the globe. When you graduate, you’ll have a professional portfolio of work that will help you land that first job and hit the ground running in your career.
Hands-on Learning in the Journalism Program
Our students produce professional-caliber magazine and newspaper articles and photographs, on-air reports for radio and television, documentary films, and online multimedia reports — supported at every step by faculty and staff who bring extensive professional experience to the program. Our Journalism majors win the top awards and scholarships given to college journalists year after year. Learn more about student journalism projects at the University of Montana.
Journalism Internships
As a Journalism major, you’ll be required to complete one faculty-approved internship before graduation, with options to work in news, media, politics, advocacy, advertising, public relations and a variety of other areas. Past internship experiences have been with organizations including:
- The Washington Post
- The New York Times
- NPR
- CNN
- National Geographic
- High Country News
- The Seattle Times
- Local and national TV, radio and podcast programs
- Documentary film companies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Online publications
Learn more about internships for majors in Journalism at the University of Montana.
Montana Journalism Abroad
Gain real-world international journalism skills in a breaking-news setting through on-the-ground reporting. Our students have traveled to India, Germany, Japan and other parts of the world to report on pressing international issues and developments. Learn more about Montana Journalism Abroad.
Career Development in the Journalism Program
We partner with news organizations across the state and around the world to publish student work and help you make those crucial early connections. Student projects include:
- The award-winning Native News Honors Project, which is published statewide
- A student documentary film that airs on Montana PBS
- Daily and weekly coverage of the Montana Legislature distributed to almost every news organization in the state
- A weekly TV news program
- Daily radio newscasts, podcasts and more
- Byline Magazine
Faculty Mentorship in the Journalism Degree Program
Our faculty members do more than teach. They mentor. They guide special projects. They advise and build careers. They also come from a working journalism background, so they know what it's like out there. All of them continue to work in journalism, publishing articles, writing books, making films and freelancing for major journalism outlets. Our professors have included Pulitzer Prize winners, National Geographic editors, New York Times writers and award-winning podcast producers.
Scholarships for Journalism Majors
The School of Journalism awards more than $426,000 in scholarships annually. Incoming students can also apply for the Director's Scholar Program, which offers up to $5,000 plus personal mentorship from Director Lee Banville. Explore scholarship opportunities for journalism majors at UM.
Explore Classes in the Journalism Program
Coursework for the Journalism degree explores the news media (emphasizing its history, privileges and responsibilities) and the skills required for careers in media, including in print media, broadcast journalism, radio and television, photojournalism, documentary film and photography, and online media.