Students who wish to make a career in broadcast journalism as a reporter, anchor, news writer, or producer should follow this course of study:

1. Department Requirements (25 credit hours)

2. Sequence requirements: (12 credits)

JOU 2501 Broadcast News Writing (3)
JOU 3501 Radio News Reporting (3)
JOU 3502 Television News Reporting (3)

CHOOSE ONE:

JOU 3503 Broadcast News Producing (3)
JOU 3504 Broadcast News Documentary (3)
JOU 3505 Experimental Journalism (3)

3. Recommended sequence electives:

JOU 2551 Broadcast Performance (4)
JOU 3551 WRTI Radio News Workshop (3)
JOU 3596 Broadcast Journalism Practicum (3)
JOU 3886 Internship (1-3)

Minimum Journalism credit hours: 36
Maximum Journalism credit hours: 44

Careers in Broadcast Journalism

If you're thinking about a career in broadcast journalism then you must be a good writer, assertive, curious about everything and LOVE the news. When you get that first job, you won't make much money. But you'll be in a small market, so you'll be able to meet your basic needs. The rewards can come quickly if you're willing to work very hard.

You may say, I want to get my first job in Philadelphia, the 4th largest U.S. media market. If you want to be "on-air," the conventional wisdom is to set your sights on smaller markets then work your way up. Most in radio and television news start in small markets. This is your training ground. This is where you can make mistakes. Even those behind-the-scenes in news management (news directors, producers, assignment managers and writers) start in smaller markets.

News Director. This person develops the structure of the radio or TV newsroom and supervises its operation. He or she is responsible for hiring, firing and motivating newsroom personnel and oversees the budget for covering the news.

Assignment Manager/Editor. This person orchestrates the daily news coverage by assigning, coordinating and monitoring news coverage. The Assignment Desk is the hub of news coverage planning and execution. The assignment manager/editor reports to the News Director.

Executive News Producer. This person in larger news operations is responsible for the content and production of all station newscasts. The EP reports to the News Director.

Producer. This person organizes and supervises the overall content and production of each newscast. The producer decides what stories should be included in the newscast and in what order. He or she must decide the best way to present the story through video, sound and graphics. If a station has several newscasts, usually each will have its own producer. And sometimes news segments such as health have designated producers. The producer works closely with the reporters and answers to the Executive News Producer.

Writer. Usually large and some medium size radio and TV news organizations have people designated as writers of news copy. Often jobs as writers can lead to positions as producers or other management jobs.

News Reporter. This person goes where the action is. Every day there are different assignments. A television reporter in a small market may have to develop, shoot, write, report and edit the stories. In larger markets, the reporter will have a camera person to shoot the video and an editor to edit the story. A radio reporter in any market will develop, record, write, report, and edit the stories.

On-air Talent (Anchors). On-air talent or anchors are the most visible and usually the highest paid members of the newsroom. Some talent will write news copy and be involved in the editorial process. An anchor will usually begin his or her career as a reporter.