Journalism

The Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Northwestern University offers students a comprehensive and rigorous education in the fundamentals of journalism, preparing them for diverse careers in the media industry. This program emphasizes the development of essential skills such as investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and ethical decision-making, equipping students to excel in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Students have the opportunity to explore various journalistic formats including print, broadcast, digital, and multimedia journalism, gaining hands-on experience through state-of-the-art facilities, internships, and collaborative projects with industry partners. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring that graduates are well-versed in journalistic principles, media law, ethics, and the responsibilities of being a credible source of information. Faculty members bring a wealth of professional experience, mentoring students in both technical skills and journalistic integrity. The program also fosters critical thinking, investigative skills, and digital literacy, enabling students to adapt to new technologies and platforms. With access to Northwestern's extensive network and resources, students can participate in workshops, conferences, and field reporting opportunities that prepare them for careers in journalism, media production, public relations, and communication. Graduates of this program leave equipped with the ability to produce accurate, fair, and compelling news stories, making a positive impact on society through responsible journalism. Whether pursuing careers in traditional outlets, digital media, or entrepreneurship, students are supported in developing a strong professional foundation and the versatility required for success in the dynamic world of journalism.

Whether you have a little journalism experience or a lot, our innovative curriculum for undergraduate journalism students allows you to solidify your writing and editing skills and explore your passions outside of Medill. Our curriculum is broken up into three components:

1. Our core curriculum is built to get all first-year students on the same page. We’ll teach you the Medill way of reporting, writing, editing and thinking critically through our core courses, which include:
   • Philosophy of Modern Journalism
   • Reporting and Writing
   • Multimedia Storytelling
   • Journalism in Practice
   • Media Law and Ethics
   • Journalism Residency
2. In addition to those core classes, every student selects a concentration in a discipline outside of Medill. Here, you can explore your passion for political science, history, economics, a foreign language, computer science and much more. You'll take a wide variety of courses to ensure a well-rounded education.
3. Finally, we offer a wide variety of journalism electives. Students can choose the courses that are most appealing to build expertise in the areas you are most passionate about. Below is a sample of current offerings:

• Journalism in a Networked World

  Taught by Professor Rich Gordon
  Search engines, social media and online communities are powerful networks that help people find journalism that interests them. In this interdisciplinary course, students will learn the principles that explain the groundbreaking science of networks and gain practical skills in areas such as website analytics, search-engine optimization and social media strategy.

• The Googlization of America

  Taught by Professor Owen Youngman
  Led by Google, technology companies are taking a more central role in the American media landscape every day. In this course, students learn how Google and its competitors are continuing to change journalism, the media business and U.S. culture.

• Journalism of Empathy

  Taught by Senior Lecturer Alex Kotlowitz
  This course will explore writing about people who live along the margins - individuals and places neglected and misunderstood by mainstream America. In this class, students learn how to report beyond the center of the storm, giving voice to those without, introducing readers to people they otherwise would never have reason to meet. Film, readings and peer editing, will help students understand the artistry behind compelling nonfiction storytelling.

• International Journalism: South Africa

  Taught by Associate Professor Doug Foster and Professor Ava Greenwell
  South Africa’s history and contemporary social upheavals makes it a rich environment for considering the role of media, business, politics and public health in an emerging democracy. Just 25 years since the end of Apartheid, an extreme form of racial segregation and oppression, the country is in swift transition culturally, politically, and economically. This course offers a special focus on the country's newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets and is designed for any student interested in international reporting and/or health reporting.

• Investigative Journalism - Medill Justice Project

  Taught by Professor Alec Klein
  Investigative reporting has proven to be one of the highest forms of journalism: shedding light on wrongdoing, exposing corruption at the highest levels and taking on powerful people and institutions that have abused their power. This course will focus on an important facet of journalism: investigating potentially wrongful convictions with in-the-field reporting. Students will be introduced to a variety of investigative techniques, interviewing skills, approaches to developing sources and employing public documents and databases. Of paramount importance in this class: student safety and adhering to the highest ethical standards in journalism. For more information, visit The Medill Justice Project, which supports this class.

• Media Design

  Taught by Associate Professor Susan Mango Curtis
  This class explores the fundamental tools of design, typographic contrast and color theory. You will analyze current approaches to newspaper, magazine, web and mobile design. All students are expected to present and defend their design solutions to the class. This course is divided into lectures, research, sketching, computer lab time and critiques.

• Health and Science Reporting

  Taught by Associate Professor Patti Wolter
  Health and Science Reporting teaches students both how to think about science writing and how to write about science and medicine. In this combination writing workshop and seminar we will read some of the best of the best science and health journalism; meet with expert scientists on campus; and meet the editors and writers from leading scientific journals and publications. Students will learn what makes good science writing, how to find sources, how to evaluate information and how to sort out science from pseudo-science.

• Journalism Research Methods: Collecting and Analyzing Audience Data in the Digital News Age

  Taught by Assistant Professor Stephanie Edgerly
  Is Facebook saving or destroying the news industry? Are claims about millennials ‘fleeing’ from the news true? What type of story structure elicits the most attention from audiences? These are important questions facing today’s news industry. They are also empirical questions that can be addressed through systematic data collection and analysis. This class focuses on the foundations of social science research as it relates to the field of journalism.

• Sports, Society & the Media

  Taught by Associate Professor Craig LaMay
  Modern sports are nothing if not media-made. Conversely, sports make media. The rise of mass media in 19th century America paralleled and its creators promoted the development of the major American sports, particularly baseball and football and in the digital world sport is the only form of programming that still commands national and global audiences that number in the billions. As a result, this class discusses how sport is a social institution no less than education, religion, or the military, and no less important,

• Leadership Strategies

  Taught by Professor Candy Lee
  Students graduating from Northwestern will work or volunteer in many organizations, from non-profit to government, from start-ups to large, international organizations. This course teaches students how to communicate ideas orally in presentations to different audiences, participate effectively in organizations as an employee, as a member of a team, as a new thought leader on the path to becoming a leader and explore fundamentals of economics, finance and management literacy.

Requirements

• Common Application or Coalition Application*
• Official secondary school transcript and school report
• Counselor recommendation
• At least one teacher recommendation
• Official SAT or ACT scores†
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (ONLY international applicants whose first language is not English or whose schooling has not been in English)
• Recommended: two SAT subject tests
• Nonrefundable application fee of $75 or fee waiver
• Early Decision Agreement (ONLY Early Decision applicants)
• Midyear transcript (ONLY Regular Decision applicants)
• Music audition (ONLY School of Music applicants)
• Required for home-schooled applicants: 3 SAT subject tests

Scholarships

• Northwestern University Scholarship
• No-Loan Arch Scholarship
• No-Loan Pledge Scholarship
• Debt Cap Scholarship
• National Merit Scholarship
• Founders Scholarship
• Karr Achievement Scholarship

The Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Northwestern University offers students a comprehensive education in the fundamentals of news reporting, storytelling, and multimedia communication. The program is housed within the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, which is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and distinguished faculty. Students engage in a combination of theoretical coursework and practical training, preparing them to excel in various media environments including print, digital, broadcast, and new media platforms. The curriculum emphasizes core skills such as news writing, reporting techniques, media ethics, and the use of emerging technologies in journalism. Students also have opportunities to specialize in fields like investigative journalism, data journalism, or sports journalism, depending on their interests.

Throughout the program, students participate in real-world reporting projects, internships, and newsroom simulations to develop their professional skills. The school maintains strong connections with media organizations nationwide, facilitating internships at major newspapers, television stations, and digital outlets. Northwestern University’s location in Evanston, Illinois, provides access to a vibrant media landscape in Chicago, one of the largest media markets in the country, offering valuable networking and employment opportunities post-graduation.

The program emphasizes the importance of diversity, ethics, and the societal role of journalism, preparing students to navigate the rapidly evolving media environment responsibly. Graduates are equipped with a versatile skill set that includes proficiency in writing, editing, multimedia production, and data analysis. Many alumni go on to successful careers in major media organizations, digital startups, and freelance journalism, contributing to public discourse and holding power to account. The program also encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, helping students adapt to changing media consumption habits and technological advancements. Overall, Northwestern University’s Journalism program is renowned for its excellence, preparing students for meaningful and impactful careers in journalism and media.