History
Critical thinking, excellent writing and superb visual communication skills are the hallmarks of MSU’s School of Journalism graduates. It is considered one of the top journalism programs in the world.
The MSU Journalism program is one of the oldest and most vibrant programs in the country. The first journalism course was taught in 1910. It was one of the first programs to implement courses on news and information online and continues to be on the cutting edge with journalism and innovative technologies, while encompassing traditional writing and reporting principles.
In 1937, the first radio and newspaper management courses were added. And, a year later, the first journalism internship program was established—the first of its kind in the nation. In 1942, the unit became known as the Department of Journalism and in 1955, the official title became the School of Journalism.
The School of Journalism was one of the first journalism programs to be nationally accredited (1949), and is one of the very few to be continuously accredited every six years since then, by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). In an accreditation report, it was noted that MSU's School of Journalism "is in that select group of premier programs today" and that it is doing a "marvelous job of preparing students for the digital age."
The School of Journalism is housed in MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences—the first college of communication in the world.
Mission
The School of Journalism at Michigan State University offers students the critical thinking, excellent writing and superb visual communication skills they need to be leaders in this exciting, evolving industry. Graduate students become great researchers and teachers at universities across the globe.
World-class faculty, known for cutting-edge scholarship (research and creative), and motivated students share an entrepreneurial spirit of covering news and information in all forms and across multiple media platforms.
Faculty are consulted by global industry leaders, alumni hold prominent positions and students are national award-winners. Faculty prepare students to be ahead of the curve in the industry. Students entering MSU may begin taking journalism courses, and use the equipment and labs immediately in their first semester!
The MSU Journalism program's mission is to be known around the world for emphasizing strong journalism ethics in storytelling through writing and visual communication. It is also known for providing students with experiential hands-on learning and research, spanning traditional media to developing innovative technologies for educational and professional uses.
Many students have a job offer by the time they graduate. That means we have been successful at preparing students for their next step. Some students want to learn great writing and reporting skills, while other students want to apply those skills to particular topics. Many students successfully apply their journalism skills in industries other than news. Still other students want to become researchers and founders of new knowledge that can be applied to help communities in our global village.
The MSU School of Journalism offers required courses online every summer in addition to several courses online during the academic year. . That means you can progress in your program while working or doing an internship anywhere in the world.
Vision
The School of Journalism boasts an eclectic ensemble of faculty drawn from a wide range of industry areas from traditional writing and broadcast news to innovative research, interactive media design, animation and immersive virtual worlds.
MSU Journalism students have daily collaborative contact with faculty whose professional portfolios for storytelling, design and interactive experiences include projects for National Geographic, Newsweek, ESPN, Associated Press, United Nations, U.S. Dept. of State, NY Times, NEA, NEH, US Dept. of Education, CNN, BBC, NPR, UNIVISION, Elle Magazine, the Today Show and the Smithsonian Institution, along with numerous awards including Emmys, Pulitzers and Fulbrights.
They are productive faculty, who involve students in virtually all of their research, creative projects, publications and awards for experiential learning.
Students work with state-of-the-art computers and software in our Spartan Newsroom, digital image projection and audio equipment in PC and Apple labs; fully equipped television production studios; editing suites and audio recording facilities. Students work on professional video and audio recording systems, cameras and associated accessories to produce award-winning journalism.
WKAR, Michigan’s top PBS TV, radio and digital station is also housed within the building and has one of the largest studios in the country. Students may intern with WKAR and student projects in several courses working with WKAR are aired on the station.
School of Journalism Mission and Goals
The Michigan State University School of Journalism is a global intellectual leader of journalism and related media. It is engaged in excellent, innovative teaching, scholarship, and outreach.
The School of Journalism teaches and promotes:
- The role of news media and free speech in democratic societies;
- Legal rights and ethical responsibilities of journalism;
- News and research literacy;
- Training in professional skills, especially critical thinking, reporting, writing, and visual communication;
- Scholarly research, analysis, and creative professional activities that advance journalistic knowledge and practices;
- Applying faculty expertise to contemporary challenges facing news industries, communities, and society;
- Using evaluation and comment to help journalism excel.
The School serves the University and strengthens public understanding of the media and of freedom of the press by offering courses of value to all majors.
Revised October 13, 2017