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 your path. Dig into investigative reporting. Master audio and podcasting. Build a career in visual storytelling, broadcast, or strategic communications. Or take courses across multiple tracks and graduate ready for whatever the industry throws at you.

Every track is built around the same principle: you learn journalism by doing it — on real deadlines, for real audiences, from your very first semester.

Journalism Career Tracks

Woman laughs while taking notes in notebook.

Writing and Editing Track

Strong communication skills are the backbone of any successful career, especially when combined with the expertise you learn as a journalist — researching, analyzing information, building connections and asking insightful questions. Students take courses in beat reporting, investigations, sportswriting, magazine writing and more, culminating in professionally published projects. Graduates work as reporters, editors, copywriters, speechwriters marketers and authors.
Students in audio studio mixing board.

Audio, Radio and Podcasting Track

Students in the audio and podcasting track get hands-on experience early, anchoring news on KBGA, interning with Montana Public Radio, creating podcasts and reporting from the state legislature. Audio journalism is a fast-growing field with a 10% job growth projected in the next decade and students leave UM prepared for careers as reporters, producers, hosts and news directors.

Man crouches with camera raised to face.

Photo and Visual Journalism Track

The photojournalism and visual journalism track at the University of Montana School of Journalism is nationally recognized, offering strong opportunities in outdoor, travel, sports and news photography. With a projected 9% job growth in photography, graduates leave with a professional portfolio that helps them secure roles 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 a wide range of careers in the industry, whether in front of or behind the camera. With job growth projected at 8-12% in the next decade, graduates find roles 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 public relations track at the University of Montana School of Journalism equips students with journalism skills — writing, reporting, design, video, and photography — and applies them to digital communication fields. Graduates stand out as skilled storytellers and find careers 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: