Susquehanna University
BA in Journalism and Digital Content

Selinsgrove, USA

DEGREE TYPE

DURATION

4 years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

* November 1 — Early Action 1. November 15 — Early Decision. December 1 — Early Action 2. February 1 — Regular Decision admission application deadline; late applications welcome as space permits. March 1 — International Students

Key Summary

About : The BA in Journalism and Digital Content offers a comprehensive exploration of modern journalism with a strong focus on digital platforms. Students will learn to produce engaging content while understanding the ethical and professional standards of journalism. The course includes hands-on training and opportunities to work on real-world projects that prepare graduates for the complexities of the industry.

Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue various career paths, including positions as journalists, content creators, or digital media specialists. They may find roles in traditional media outlets, online news platforms, or corporate communications, leveraging their skills in storytelling and digital content production.

Craft your story

Susquehanna will power your natural curiosity and storytelling abilities. You will gain foundational skills like writing, editing, interviewing, and even multimedia production — plus the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills from your well-rounded liberal arts education — to empower your storytelling. From podcasting to traditional newspaper reporting, you will develop research skills and learn to adapt content for varying news media to succeed in the ever-evolving world of journalism.

Susquehanna provides platforms for journalism and digital content majors, including the student-run newspaper, The Quill, the LensFlare student broadcasting group, and other professional student clubs.

Promote ethical journalism

Media professionals need to be curious, flexible, and ethical in their pursuit of the news. At Susquehanna, you’ll be challenged to study journalism ethics and theory in the classroom. Discuss journalistic ethics and the benefits of news coverage to understand the importance of media to the public.

As a journalism and digital content major, you’ll have the leadership skills and real-world experience to succeed. And we can connect you with accomplished alumni to help you land your first job.

Requirements for Journalism & Digital Content Track

When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Communications

Susquehanna offers five degrees in Communications: Advertising and Public Relations; Broadcasting; Communication Studies; Journalism and Digital Content; and Sports Media. Majors complete university Central Curriculum requirements, plus 48 to 50 semester hours of courses in a selected degree plan. These include introductory courses, practica for learning skills, and specific emphasis requirements. A grade of C- or better is required for any course to apply to the major or minor. Courses may count toward only one degree or minor.

The department also expects communications majors and minors to participate each semester in related co-curricular activities. Options include WQSU-FM radio; The Quill student newspaper; The Lanthorn student yearbook; studio and remote video production with Lens Flare; the Paul Dannelley Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA); the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM), and other activities supervised by department faculty.

Journalism and Digital Content Track

Students fulfill the university Central Curriculum requirements, participate fully in various media activities and successfully complete the following courses:

24 Department Requirements

4 COMM-101 Essentials of Digital Media
2 COMM-102 Methods of Adobe Creative Suite
2 COMM-190 Intro to Communication/Media Theory
4 COMM-192 Public Speaking
4 COMM-201 Ethics and Leadership
4 COMM-202 Digital Media Analytics
4 COMM-481 Media Law

24 Journalism and Digital Content Requirements

4 COMM-131 Introduction to Journalism
4 COMM-231 News and Content Creation
4 COMM-331 Editing
4 COMM-435 Feature Writing
1 COMM-501 Practicum
1 COMM-501 Practicum
1 COMM-501 Practicum
1 COMM-501 Practicum

4 Choose one from:

ARTS-243 Digital Photography
COMM-282 Fundamentals of Digital Video Production

Honors

The departmental honors program encourages and recognizes outstanding performance in communications. To graduate with department honors, candidates must do the following:

Complete major requirements under the guidance of a Communications Department faculty adviser, who agrees to serve as a sponsor at the student’s request,
Petition the honors coordinator with a written honors proposal no later than the second to last week of the end of the junior year. The submission must be approved as honors quality by departmental faculty,
Maintain a 3.70 cumulative GPA in department courses,
Produce an acceptable written or production thesis based on one year of senior research/production work (COMM-503 Honors Study) beyond the required major track semester hours,
Submit the thesis at least two weeks before graduation, and
Successfully complete an oral defense of the honors thesis.

Honors work not meeting the required standards will be applied as a university elective course. Departmental honors may be taken separately from or in conjunction with the University Honors Program.

Honor Societies

Students who meet the requisite national and local standards are eligible to join the national honorary society Lamda Pi Eta (communications).

Communications Minors

Courses selected require a grade of C- or higher.

Double-counting restriction

Courses may count toward only one Communications degree or minor.

Requirements for Minor

Students are expected to participate in department activities appropriate to their interests and successfully complete a total of 26 credit hours: COMM-131 Introduction to Journalism, COMM-202 Digital Media Analytics, COMM-231 News and Content Creation, COMM-331 Editing, COMM-435 Feature Writing, two semesters of COMM-501 Practicum, and one of the following electives: COMM-282 Fundamentals of Digital Video Production, or ARTS-243 Digital Photography.