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

Journalism Degree Options

Find your format. Tell stories that matter.

At the University of Montana School of Journalism, you choose how you tell stories. Dig into investigative reporting. Build a podcast. Shoot a portfolio that gets you hired. Produce a documentary for statewide broadcast. Or combine tracks and graduate with a skill set built for wherever the industry is headed next.

Every track runs on the same principle: you learn journalism by doing it — on real deadlines, for real audiences, starting your first semester.

Journalism Career Tracks

Woman laughs while taking notes in notebook.

Writing, Reporting and Editing Track

Writing is a craft you build under real deadline pressure. Students report on beats, dig into investigations, cover sports and write for magazines — publishing professional work before they graduate. The track's signature capstone, Covering the Legislature, sends students to Helena to cover Montana's state government, with stories distributed to more than 150 news organizations. Graduates go on to work as reporters, editors, copywriters, speechwriters, marketers and authors.
Students in audio studio mixing board.

Audio, Radio and Podcasting Track

Audio students get behind the mic early — anchoring newscasts on KBGA, interning at Montana Public Radio, reporting from the state legislature and building original podcasts. The School's flagship podcast series, The Obit Project, started as a classroom assignment and now reaches a national audience on NPR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Graduates leave prepared for careers as reporters, producers, hosts and news directors.

Man crouches with camera raised to face.

Photo and Visual Journalism Track

The photo and visual journalism track puts a camera in your hands from day one — outdoor, travel, sports and breaking news assignments build a professional portfolio while you're still a student. UM photographers consistently rank among the nation's best in the Hearst Journalism Awards, journalism's answer to the Pulitzers. Graduates go on to work as news photographers, filmmakers, documentary photographers and photo editors.
Woman on top of mountain with video camera and tripod.

TV and Film Track

The TV and film track prepares students for work in front of and behind the camera. The Student Documentary Unit capstone produces a full-length documentary for Montana PBS every year — real broadcast, real audience, real credit. Graduates go on to work as reporters, producers, directors and editors.
Woman in newsroom holds up marketing materials, including sweatshirt.

Social Media, Marketing and PR Track

The social media, marketing and PR track takes core journalism skills — writing, reporting, design, video and photography — and applies them to brands, causes and campaigns. Students build real client work and a professional portfolio rather than hypothetical case studies. Graduates stand out as skilled storytellers, going on to work as communications directors, social media producers, marketing specialists and creative producers.

 

Degrees and Certificates

The School of Journalism offers a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, as well as a Master of Arts in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism. The school also offers a five-year program for both a Bachelor's and Master's degree, as well as a certificate in documentary film. 

For more information on these offerings: