2025 COLLEGE GUIDE
For high
school students
interested in Journalism and Communications
Welcome!
Whether you’re looking at journalism, public relations, strategic communication, corporate communication, design, photojournalism or advertising career, the NSPA 2025 College Guide will benefit you.
Our guide includes some of the best programs in the country. These colleges wanted to invite you to check out what they offer. It’s time to do your homework and find the college that fits you best.
You should look at each school and visit the website to learn more about its majors, classes, faculty, students, alumni and student media. Virtual tours will give you an idea of what the colleges offer, but when you get to your final picks, visit those programs in person if possible.
Check out the majors offered and the required courses. Do those courses give you the best journey to your career?
However, the meaningful career experiences for your portfolio are working in student media and multiple internships. I strongly encourage you to join a student media outlet. Student media will allow you to improve your skill sets and provide leadership experience. A great experience there can lead to good internships.
Take a look. Find the school that makes the most sense for you. Good luck on your college journey. Let us know what we can do to make it successful.
All the best,
LAURA WIDMER Executive Director
National Scholastic Press Association
Associated Collegiate Press
Quill and Scroll
BE COACHABLE
Whether it’s starting in student media, or in an internship, you have to be coachable. That doesn’t mean you should let yourself be taken advantage of, but if you come into an opportunity and you are unwilling to learn, you are unwilling to grow. Don’t look at coaching as a negative, see it instead as a positive reflection of the skills and talents someone sees in you, and wants to help you develop.
LISA RENZE Managing Editor, Partnerships and Projects, Free Press Indiana
Located in the top 5 media market in the nation, the Mayborn School of Journalism offers an immersive and unique experience. Tap into a degree that can take you anywhere Learn more: https://journalism.unt.edu/
10 reasons why a career in journalism may just be right for you:
It’s a continuous learning opportunity
1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 10
Gathering information is an essential part of a journalist’s job. They constantly conduct research, speak with experts, and learn more about topics related to their specialty.
You get to meet all kinds of people
Journalists interact with diverse groups of people as they gather material for stories. They often interview subjects of interest, such as celebrities, political figures and subject experts. They also commonly speak with locals who provide rich insight into the places where they live.
It can provide a sense of accomplishment
The work of journalists serves the public and thus appears in public. Journalists in both print and broadcast journalism have the opportunity to see their names on bylines and credits.
You’re constantly building your career portfolio
For journalists, almost every workday presents an opportunity to add an achievement to their portfolio. They can amass large numbers of articles, photographs and clips that can set them up for other professional opportunities in the future.
You can strengthen transferable qualities
Transferable qualities refer to competencies and characteristics that can apply to various professional fields. Some essential attributes for journalism are verbal communication, written communication, research, initiative and persistence, all helpful in various jobs and sectors.
You get to make a difference
Being a journalist puts you in a position to shape people’s perceptions. Journalists aim to educate the public about important matters, whether reporting facts or presenting opinions.
You get to contribute to society
Similarly, journalists can contribute to society by revealing vital information to the public. Such information can empower ordinary people to act against entities that endanger the common good, leading to a stronger, healthier society.
You get to be a part of history
Journalists commonly cover historical moments. For instance, war correspondents chart the progress of conflicts that can alter the course of a nation and its people, and political correspondents often witness events that have reverberations around the world.
It lets you pursue your interests
Many journalists choose to specialize in an area of journalism that aligns with their interests. Working in a field that lets you exercise your interests can be both interesting and rewarding.
There are multiple opportunities
Journalism has evolved a great deal over the years. Traditionally, professional journalists worked for newspapers, magazines or news stations, but the avenues of entry today are more diverse. Now, there are reputable online news sources, blogs, streaming radio channels, podcasts and social media channels to which contemporary journalists contribute.
“Write boldy and tell the truth fearlessly.”
– Joseph Medill
Your story starts at Medill, the only journalism school at a Top 10 university. Learn more:
YOUR CLASSWORK IS ONLY A SMALL PART OF YOUR EDUCATION.
Pro Tips!
What you do outside class is what gets you the job. Dedicate your time to working for the school newspaper, magazine, yearbook, radio or tv. Work for multiple outlets. Get at least one internship. You need to show future employers you are dedicated to your craft — and you’ve experienced working as part of a team, worked under tight deadlines, and understand your part in the overall operations. You’ll sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of your craft. If you just do the minimum while in school, you’ll be left wondering “why can’t I find a job?”
KEVIN FULLERTON Owner / Creative Director, Springboard Creative. Mission, KS
“My advice to students is always to get as much experience as you can in every different place possible.
First of all, you might be figuring out, “am I more interested in producing, or am I more interested in being on air?” By getting experience and doing both, you will find out. I also just think THE MORE YOU WRITE, THE BETTER WRITER YOU BECOME.
The more you practice live reports, the better you do them. The more you track your package, the more comfortable you get with your voice and learning to be as conversational as possible when communicating with the viewers.”
JOE FRYER
NBC News, Northwestern Medill graduate
Alumni Profiles
“I believe that we need communicators who care, who are leaders, and who can inspire people to action. And I am so grateful because the Murrow College provided me with that foundation to be that communicator.”
During his time at Washington State University, he participated in two Murrow Global Expedition programs, one to Cuba and another to Guatemala. After completing his degree from WSU, he earned his masters from the London School of Economics, and opened a non-profit focused on helping other nonprofits increase their fundraising through compelling storytelling.”
GARRET KALT
2018 Graduate of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.
Choose Murrow be bold
Why Choose Murrow? Because You’re Ready to Make an Impact.
Experiential Learning & Practical Skills
Get hands-on experience building the skills you need for a successful career.
Career Readiness
Graduate career-ready with industry connections and support from our awardwinning alumni network.
Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Impact
Join a diverse community that empowers you to make a real impact through inclusive storytelling.
Since graduating from Washington State University, Andrea Castillo has investigated substandard housing, covered earthquakes, and written about stateless children born to Venezuelan refugees.
Raised by a single mother from Venezuela, Castillo grew up speaking English and Spanish. Her fluency helps her cover immigration stories at the Los Angeles Times. At WSU, she worked for The Daily Evergreen, studied abroad, and participated in a “backpack journalism” project in Nicaragua.
Castillo credits her professors for encouraging her to pursue journalism. She landed an internship at The Oregonian, then moved to The Fresno Bee, and later joined the Los Angeles Times. She covered the Puebla earthquake and the viral story of a father detained by immigration authorities.
ANDREA CASTILLO
2012 Graduate of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University
DISCOVER JOURNALISM IN THE
FOURTH-LARGEST MEDIA MARKET
Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication offers eight undergraduate majors:
• Advertising
• Audio and Live Entertainment
• Communication and Social Influence
• Communication Studies
• Journalism
• Media Studies and Production
• Public Relations
• Virtual Media Management
STUDENTS IN OUR PROGRAM:
• Dive deep into world-class storytelling, spanning from broadcast journalism to sports journalism and even investigative reporting
• Master the art of podcasting, ace sports reporting, or capture compelling narratives through photo storytelling courses offered throughout the academic year
• Join notable alumni like Tamron Hall ‘92, Kevin Neghandi ‘92
Scan to learn more about our programs.
Alumni Profiles
KEVIN NEGANDHI is an anchor for SportsCenter and the first Indian-American to serve on a national sports network. In 2017, he joined the ESPN on ABC College Football team. In addition to being a part of SportsCenter’s Emmy nominated team, Negandhi has hosted NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, Outside the Lines, College Football Live, NBA Tonight and the women’s NCAA basketball Final Four. He joined ESPN in 2006.
Prior to ESPN, Negandhi worked as a sports director at WWSB-TV in Sarasota, FL. While working in Florida, he won three Associated Press awards —Negandhi began his career as a college sports stringer at USA Today in 1995.
He graduated from Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication in 1998. He was inducted into the Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Hall of Fame by Klein College in 2013.
TAMRON HALL has worked in television for nearly 30 years. Today she’s an Emmy Award-winning TV host, journalist, author and philanthropist.
After anchoring for several networks, Hall began hosting Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall on Investigation Discovery, which takes an in-depth look at crimes that shocked the nation. She went on to become the first African American female co-host of The Today Show and serve as the anchor for MSNBC Live with Tamron Hall. She received the 2015 Edward R. Murrow Award for her Today Show segment on domestic violence.
Currently, Hall is the host and executive producer of the Emmynominated daytime television show Tamron Hall. A member of the Temple University Board of Trustees, she graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University.
Every high school junior who is even vaguely interested in media, politics, democracy should apply for this conference. It is truly an amazing, really singular experience: being able to come out to D.C., being able to meet with and hear directly from so many of the people who really are shaping our country’s politics, our country’s journalism. And it’s also really fun, and you’re going to meet a lot of friends. So apply!
CATIE EDMONDSON
The New York Times, congressional reporter, 2013 Free Spirit Scholar
Attendee Insights
So for me, this motto of “DREAM. DARE. DO”…has really carried me throughout my career to aim high and to dream big … Even now, it feels really surreal to be working at my dream publication. It’s something that I didn’t know a girl from Hawaii could do, and to be able to work at the Post at such an early age is something I am so grateful for.
AMY NAKAMURA
The Washington Post, social media editor, 2016 Free Spirit Scholar
During my time at Merrill, I remember thinking, 'This is the first time that classwork applies directly to what I hope to do with my life.' It wasn’t just about the skills I was learning but the people I was learning with and from."
Multi-award winning programs in newspaper, yearbook, television and radio.
Northwest Missouri State University is 1 of only 10 schools in Associated Collegiate Press' All American Hall of Fame for winning Pacemakers between yearbook and newspaper.
Northwest Student Media outlets are 2024 Pinnacle finalists in more than 30 categories. Finalist entries include 19 for Northwest Missourian, 10 for Tower Yearbook and seven for KNWT and KZLX.
Northwest offers Multimedia Journalism, Sports Media, Broadcast Production, Advertising, Social Media degrees and more!
@Northwest Communication and Mass Media
@Northwest Missourian
@Tower Yearbook
@X-106 KZLX-FM
@nwcommm @themissourian @toweryearbook @knwttv @x106kzlx
@NWComMM @TheMissourian @toweryearbk @knwttv @KZLXfm
tO apply tO jOin Our prOgrams, scan here!
CREATE, EXPERIMENT, INVESTIGATE, EXPLORE.
And don’t be afraid to fall flat. Failure teaches us to be resilient, and, if used the right way, how to truly succeed. Therefore, jump into student media right away, well before you take any classes – and seek mentors who will candidly offer feedback on your journalistic work. If you can check your ego, work with a team and accept this criticism, you will excel. Your competition is within yourself, not in the newspaper archives, or among the other students in the newsroom. Push yourself and you will keep improving.
JOE GISONDI
Professor of Journalism, Director, Student Publications, Eastern Illinois University
Elliott School of Communication
• JOURNALISM & MEDIA PRODUCTION
• INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION
• COMMUNICATION STUDIES
WRITE YOUR STORY AT WICHITA STATE
Located in the largest media market in Kansas, the Elliott School of Communication offers many hands-on learning opportunities, including paid work at The Sunflower, our national award-winning student newspaper.
digital plan for Wolves team
team
Audience Editor, USA Today digital plan for Wolves
The internship that launched Sydney Bergan ’23 on a path to covering the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris, France, started off on an unexpected trajectory.
As a junior at Syracuse University, Bergan landed an internship through the prestigious Dow Jones News Fund with McClatchy, but instead of serving as a reporter—which was her career ambition— Bergan was assigned to the digital media program as an audience engagement intern.
“News judgment is very hard to come by, recognizing what deserves the spotlight. Those skills have been essential every day of my career and it all comes back to the years of training we had at Syracuse University and in the Newhouse School.”
SYDNEY BERGAN
MEG OMECENE, a 2016 E. W. Scripps School of Journalism graduate, is senior manager of corporate communications for Visa
“I chose the Scripps J-School because I was so impressed by the students I met during my campus tours. The students I met during my tour have literally won Pulitzers — that is the standard for excellence from Scripps. The idyllic campus and warm community are just a bonus, but the teachers and fellow students are what prepare Scripps students to shine in their career.”
Omecene received a Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in 2023 for her work at Visa. She is a former director of communications for the Miss Universe Organization. Omecene studied abroad at Tel Aviv University and lives in New York City.
for a week-long immersive experience in all facets of communication, from sports reporting to feature writing and filmmaking.
Live in a UF residence hall and work with UF faculty as you connect with students from all over the world. JUNE 22–27,2025 JOIN US NEXT SUMMER...
For more information, visit: JOU.UFL.EDU/SMI
Alumni Profiles
“From day one at Ohio University, GET INVOLVED. If you’re passionate about being a journalist, there’s no better place to go to not just learn the craft, but be fully immersed in it.”
MATT BARNES
OHIO
2008 Ohio University graduate, NBC4 Columbus (OH) morning co-anchor, as well as the Olympic correspondent for NBC.
E.W. SCRIPPS SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM WORKSHOP IT’S OUR 79th SUMMER!
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF JOURNALISM EDUCATION
The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism’s annual summer workshop offers students the opportunity to interact with faculty and professionals about journalism’s latest innovations and established practices in a campus setting. Our four-day workshop includes tracks dedicated to reporting and writing, magazines, broadcast, podcasting, photojournalism, sports, strategic communication, news design, and digital journalism
HAVE A GREAT CONVENTION, NSPA!
11 tips that will help get you hired:
By Rick Green, executive editor, Lexington Herald-Leader
1 Don’t focus on awards and prizes. Master the basics.
2 Read good writing daily to improve your own writing chops and sharpen story ideas.
3 Remember: Content is king. Not the number of Facebook. X, Tik-Tok or Instagram followers you have.
4 Know how to use social media to share your story. Great journalism means nothing if readers don’t find it.
5 Multimedia storytelling can be just as powerful as the words you stitch together. Know how to unleash the full power of your smartphone.
Pro Tips!
6 Don’t be intimidated by analytics or audience development.
7 Learn Spanish. Know how to speak and write fluently.
8 Learn everything you can about Artificial Intelligence. It’s not a fleeting fad.
9 Never forget: Every word counts.
10 Be humble. Work hard. Ask questions. Be collaborative. Be fanatical about getting better.
11 Finally, the reporters I hire are unfailingly curious and know the biggest, best and most memorable stories are never found in the newsroom. Make this your mantra: “GOYA/KOD.” (Get Off Your A$$. Knock on Doors.)
“Oh, what I wish I knew that I know now. Fact check, fact check, fact check. Don’t trust the words of one person; make sure that what you are being told is accurate. Don’t prioritize speed over accuracy. It’s great to be first, but it’s better to be correct.
LEARN AS MANY SKILLS AS YOU
CAN. It’s great that you can write. But can you use your phone to shoot video or collect audio sound bites? You better! The more skill sets you can show to a prospective employer the better chance you will be hired.
Lastly, I would tell my younger self to prioritize self-care. Journalism is NOT a 9-to-5 job. The demands of journalism can be overwhelming, and burnout is a real threat. Your mental health is important. Set boundaries so that you can approach your work with greater clarity and passion.”
GARY METZKER
Lecturer, California State University Long Beach
Get involved in your college newsroom.
Don’t worry about not having “the experience” yet – you’re in the same spot our best young journalists were in when they started college. Second, focus on serving the community by reporting on those issues that make a difference. Finally, open your mind to critical thinking – thinking that pokes at what you know and helps you expand your understanding, both of journalism and the world around you. Do that, and you’ll be on your way to being not only an outstanding journalist but also an outstanding human being.
CHUCK CLARK Director of Student Publications, Western Kentucky University
Pro Tips!
I’m looking for students who won’t ask “How do you want it done?”, and who will instead ask “Can I try doing it like this?” We work in an ever-changing industry that needs adaptation, experimentation and innovation.
I want students who have drive and a willingness to try new things. LEAN INTO IT!
TAMARA ZELLARS BUCK Professor and chair, Department of Mass Media at Southeast Missouri State University.
1 OF 2 ACCREDITED JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI
You
School Directory
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Department of Journalism and Creative Media
901 University Blvd. #490 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 348-7155 cis.ua.edu/departments/jcm/ uaccis@ua.edu
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication 555 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 496-5555 cronkite.asu.edu/ cronkiteinfo@asu.edu
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
School of Journalism and Communication 2805 University Ave. Meredith Hall 118 Des Moines, IA 50311 (515) 271-3194 www.drake.edu/sjmc/ katelyn.busch@drake.edu
THE FREEDOM FORUM
610 Water St. SW Ste. 300 Washington, DC 20024 www.freedomforum.org/al-neuharth-freespirit-and-journalism-conference/ info@freespiritjournalism.org
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
College of Journalism and Communication 2096 Weimer Hall 1885 Stadium Road PO Box 118400 Gainesville, FL 32611 (352) 392-0466 www.jou.ufl.edu/ randybennett@ufl.edu
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
School of Journalism and Mass Communication College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 100 Adler Journalism Building Iowa City, IA 52242 (319) 335-3486 journalism.uiowa.edu sjmc@uiowa.edu
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication 234 Nichols Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 (785) 532-6011
www.k-state.edu/media-communication/ k-state@k-state.edu
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Philip Merrill College of Journalism 7765 Alumni Dr. College Park, MD 20742 (301) 405-2399
merrill.umd.edu/ journalism@umd.edu
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Murphy Hall 206 Church St. SE #111 Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-1338 hsjmc.umn.edu/ sjmc@umn.edu
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
School of Journalism
Don Anderson Hall 201 32 Campus Dr. Missoula, MT 59812 (406) 243-4001 www.umt.edu/academics/ programs/journalism/ journalism@umontana.edu
NORTHWESTERN|MEDILL
1845 Sheridan Road Fisk Hall Suite 211 Evanston, IL 60208 (847) 491-2050 www.medill.northwestern.edu/ medill.dean.office@northwestern.edu
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
Mayborn School of Journalism 1155 Union Circle #311460 Denton, TX 76205 (940) 565-4778 journalism.unt.edu/ journalism@unt.edu
NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
School of Communication and Mass Media 800 University Dr. Wells Hall 237 Maryville, MO 64468 (660) 562-1361 www.nwmissouri.edu/communications stevenc@nwmissouri.edu
OHIO UNIVERSITY
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Schooner Center 200 1 Ohio University Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-2590 www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/journalism info@scrippsjschool.org
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
School of Journalism and Communication 1275 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403 (541) 346-3738 journalism.uoregon.edu/ SOJadvising@uoregon.edu
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Communication Division 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 (310) 506-4211 seaver.pepperdine.edu/ elizabeth.smith@pepperdine.edu
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
One University Plaza, MS 2775 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (573) 651-5104 semo.edu/colleges-departments/ arts-media/mass-media/ masscomm@semo.edu
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications 215 University Place Syracuse, NY 13244 (315) 443-4493 newhouse.syracuse.edu/ newhouse@syr.edu
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Klein College of Media and Communications
Annenberg Hall 2020 N. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 (215) 204-8561 klein.temple.edu kleincomm@temple.edu
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication PO Box 642530 Pullman, WA 99164 (509) 335-7333 murrow.wsu.edu/ communication@wsu.edu
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
WKU Student Publications 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11084 Bowling Green, KY 42101 www.wku.edu/smc/ www.wku.edu/contact/
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
Elliott School of Communication 1845 Fairmount St. Wichita, KS 67260 (316) 978-3185 www.wichita.edu/academics/ fairmount_las/elliott/ amy.devault@wichita.edu