University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Journalism BA
Johnstown, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 27,134 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full-time, two terms | for out-of-state residents
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Report Your Future
Journalists Made Here
Whether you get your news from new media sources like social media or from traditional sources like television and print, there is no denying that journalists are responsible for much of the information around us. Whether discussing broad topics like politics or business, or more specific industry news like investigative journalism, sports journalism, or even public relations, the demand for professionals trained in journalism has never been higher.
The Journalism program at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown will prepare you with real-world skills for highly in-demand positions in diverse journalistic fields, no matter the industry upon which you wish to focus.
Great Journalism is a product of skill and passion. Our passion to help you succeed is what drives us. Let UPJ help discover what drives you.
Why Major in Journalism at UPJ?
If you're an aspiring reporter looking for a rewarding, fulfilling career, then look no further than our Journalism program. With classes designed around both traditional methodologies and 21st century media, you can prepare for your new career confident that you can fit any journalistic industry within which you to aspire to work.
- Learn directly from faculty in classrooms in an intimate, diverse, and personal environment.
- Engage in out-of-classroom experiences that will expose you to the professional side of journalism.
- Have a classroom experience that prioritizes student thinking, creativity, and excellence.
- Have direct access to educators to speak about career success.
- Gain access to professional internships that prioritize career skills in established, professional environments.
- Network with like-minded peers and working, established professional journalists.
- Gain industry-specific technical skills, including working with advanced journalism technology, including broadcast media and digital media.
- Learn to meet and exceed against the demanding deadlines within a professional work environment.
Pitt-Johnstown Financial Aid
Scholarship eligibility for incoming first-year or new students to Pitt-Johnstown will be assessed by the Admissions Office upon acceptance.
Process For Continuing Students
Each year, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Financial Aid Office awards numerous Gift and Endowed (G&E) scholarships, made available to deserving students through the generosity of many individuals, clubs, organizations, industries, businesses, and foundations.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based on specific criteria defined by the donor. A student’s academic performance and financial need may also be considered when deciding upon qualified candidates. Most G&E scholarships are geared toward continuing students; Pitt-Johnstown may require students to complete a scholarship application for consideration.
Completing the scholarship application does not guarantee selection, however, by completing the application, students are automatically considered for each scholarship that Pitt-Johnstown offers as well as several outside scholarships.
General Requirements
For consideration, students must:
- be enrolled for at least 6 credits in a degree-seeking program at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have successfully completed 12 credits as a degree-seeking student at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be considered for need-based scholarships.
- be registered for the upcoming fall term by May 15.
- comply with Pitt-Johnstown's satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid.
- not be in default on an educational loan or not owe repayment on a federal grant.
- not have earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
Scholarship Exclusions/Adjustments
Limited G&E funds are available to full scholarship recipients. Scholarship awards may be adjusted if Financial Aid determines a student is the recipient of a full tuition scholarship or tuition remission.
Any student who receives a scholarship and/or grant awards that total more than Pitt-Johnstown’s annual cost of attendance, as defined by the Financial Aid Office, will have one or more awards reduced or cancelled.
The Financial Aid Office awards G&E scholarships based upon the information available at the time of the award, including intended major or cumulative GPA, as well as any other possible variables. In the event that this information is inaccurate or changes, the Financial Aid Office has the right to reduce, change, or cancel the award.
I. Required Journalism Courses (24 credits)
- ENGWRT 1130 - Grammar, Usage, And Style
- ENGWRT 1140 - Digital Magazine Production
- JOURNL 0053 - Introduction to Journalism
- JOURNL 1132 - Reporting 1
- JOURNL 1134 - Feature Writing
- JOURNL 1136 - Copyreading/Editing
- JOURNL 1140 - Photography in Communications
- JOURNL 1171 - Conference in Writing
II. Optional Journalism or Related Course Electives (6 credits)
Students must select three courses from the following:
- COMMRC 0320 - Mass Communication And Society
- COMMRC 1211 - Public Relations 1
- COMMRC 1212 - Public Relations 2
- COMMRC 1139 - Media Criticism
- ENGWRT 0511 - Writing for Digital Media
- ENGWRT 1011 - Digital Storytelling
- JOURNL 1135 - Editorial Writing
- JOURNL 1145 - Broadcast Journalism
III. Internship (3 credits)
Students can earn 3-12 credits towards graduation; they may enroll in an internship multiple times during their undergraduate experience. However, any internship beyond those required in the major (3 credits) are counted as electives.
IV. Practicum Requirement (2 credits)
Students must complete two credits of Practicum.
- JOURNL 1142 - Journalism Practicum
V. Literature Requirement Courses (9 credits)
- Students must complete 9 credits of any English Literature course.
VI. Required Related Area Courses (9 credits)
- Students will construct a related area in consultation with their advisor, consisting of 9 credits in disciplines related to journalism.
VII. Foreign Language or Literature in Translation Courses (6-9 credits)
- Students must complete two courses of a language sequence or 9 credits of Literature in Translation courses.
VIII. Required Humanities Courses (9 credits)
Students must complete one Music or Fine Arts course, one Communication or Theatre course, and one Philosophy course.
Your Future, Revealed
Careers in Journalism are more than just "reading the news." With a degree in Journalism from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, you can find employment as:
- Editor or Copy Editor
- Layout and Design Specialist
- Education Writer
- Feature Writer or Editor
- News Writer or Editor
- Environmental Writer
- Business Writer or Editor
- General Assignment Reporter
- Sports Reporter or Editor
- Public Relations Writer
- Copywriter
- Technical Writer or Editor
- Journalist or Foreign Correspondent
- Photographer
- Television or Radio Writer or Reporter
Add to Your Degree with a Minor
Want to maximize your employment flexibility? UPJ offers a huge selection of minors to pair with your Communication degree. Some of the most popular choices include:
- Writing
- English Literature
- Multimedia and Digital Culture
- Foreign Languages