Strong writers and visual storytellers with a sense of adventure will find a home in our distinguished Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program with its reputation for producing award-winning talent.
Journalism really let me grapple with deadlines and got my feet wet with what it is kind of like to work at a news station. Creative Visual Thinking is the class that challenged me the most. Through that class, I’ve learned how to make resumes from scratch, and it’s become a fun hobby.
DeAndria Turner
FOX 61 Connecticut, B.A.J. ‘20
In the School of Journalism and New Media, aspiring storytellers will find five paths to a dream career – for those passionate about news, video, writing, sports, photography or graphic design, our Bachelor of Arts in Journalism gets students ready for a future of documenting the most exciting and important moments of our lives.
Customize your degree to specialize in sports or fashion, social media or public relations, or make the world a better place with an emphasis in political and social justice reporting.
You can get started on your professional media portfolio from the very beginning of your college career. Our experiential learning opportunities will put you in the center of the action. You may choose to work in our award-winning Student Media Center, covering the news, creating podcasts, managing social media, or producing ads. Or hit the road with your instructors for in-depth reporting trips covering everything from the aftermath of hurricanes to the impact of medical marijuana or the influence of Southern food on America.
In the classroom, you can work on creating documentaries, experimenting with social media, producing newscasts, designing your own magazine or learning the art of great play-by-play announcing.
From the minute they arrive on campus, students have dozens of opportunities to get published, to get paid for their media work, and to explore what it’s like to be a professional.
Our graduates go on to work in Washington or for the WWE, from TikTok to network news, at ESPN, and as editors for The New York Times. Our journalism alumni are making movies, writing bestsellers, anchoring nightly newscasts, and calling the shots at CBS Sports.
You’ll learn that journalism is a versatile field that easily transfers to positions throughout the news industry, media, public relations, and marketing. Companies and other organizations are always looking for strong storytellers, and the hands-on, professional-level experience students pick up in and out of the classroom has recruiters courting our grads every semester.
Our program has earned a reputation for producing notable journalists and attracting experienced professionals who mentor students and help educate them on the latest industry trends.
B.A.J. in Journalism
TV and Video Storytelling ;
Sports Media ;
Multimedia News Reporting ;
Political and Social Justice Reporting ;
Visual Journalism
Fashion Promotion and Media ;
Health Communications ;
Media Sales and Management ;
Public Relations ;
Social Media ;
Sports Communication and Promotion ;
Visual Design
124
Major
4 Years
Whether you want to report from the sidelines, capture the action on camera or produce a game-day show, this emphasis puts you in a position to succeed. You will take classes with leaders in the sports industry.
The TV & Video Storytelling emphasis is designed for students passionate about video. You’ll learn how to create compelling news and sports stories, documentaries, and social video while developing skills that the industry demands.
In the modern world, journalists do it all. The multimedia news reporting emphasis is designed for students pursuing careers in digital news media. We will help you master multimedia tools and you’ll experiment with many storytelling platforms in immersive classroom settings.
What are you passionate about? Make a difference in the world by studying some of the day's most important issues with faculty experts who help you learn to tell stories that matter. This emphasis is designed for students seeking careers in political reporting or reporting on social justice issues.
If you have an eye for photography and design, you’ll learn how to create powerful images and graphics that help tell a story or illustrate a concept - valuable skills in any business field. This emphasis is designed for students seeking careers in media design and photojournalism.
Our student ambassadors are happy to help you with any questions you might have about the Journalism program and life at Ole Miss.
What would you tell a high school student about your major?
See Celeste’s AnswerAre you a sports fan interested in promoting your favorite team or working to tell its story? Learn how to do it with our Sports Communication and Promotion Emphasis.
This specialization takes a unique look at collegiate and professional sports, sports media, athlete representation, corporate involvement, and more.
Course offerings include Foundation of Sports, Sports Promotion, Sports Media and Reporting,Sports Television Production, an internship or any other approved sports-themed special topics course in the School of Journalism and New Media.
Do you love communicating with an audience using Instagram, YouTube and TikTok? If you envision yourself managing social media for yourself, a brand, company or organization one day, our Social Media emphasis may be the right path for you.
The Social Media specialization examines how social media affects various aspects of our lives. You’ll take courses such as Social Media in Society, Social Media Content Creation or design your own social media-focused internship.
Maybe you want to open your own clothing store one day or write about your favorite fashion brand. If you love the art of fashion and want to learn more about the business, you can study how fashion and media are connected.
This specialization is for those who are interested in trends, marketing and branding in the fashion industry. You’ll take classes such as Fashion Promotion and Media as well as Fashion Merchandising and then expand your skillset with an internship, video or photo classes.
Public relations specialists work to build and maintain a positive reputation for a company or brand. Using social media, news releases and other strategic messaging, they shape public opinion and increase awareness about a company or organization.
Students interested in the PR Specialization will take classes such as Intro to Multimedia Writing, Public Relations, Public Relations Techniques, and PR Case Problems.
Let your inner artist create your future with our Visual Design emphasis, where you’ll learn to use graphics and imagery to communicate messages and tell a story.
Visual Design is for those who want to plan, visualize and create digital and printed materials for media projects. You get to take Visual Communication and then choose from courses such as 3-D Modeling, Motion Graphics, and Designing Interactivity.
If you are interested in running the show one day, the Media Sales and Management emphasis will teach you how to generate revenue as a sales professional and how to lead a team.
Media Sales and Management is for those interested in learning about advertising techniques and media enterprise management. You’ll take Media Sales, Media Management and a media sales elective.
If you have ever envisioned working in the communications department for a hospital or writing informative stories about the latest health trends to educate the public, you may be interested in our Health Communications specialization.
Courses in the Health Communication specialization focus on the growing field of health communication, with an emphasis on health promotion and health journalism. You’ll take classes such as Health Communication, Persuasion, and interdisciplinary options from across the campus.
Here are some of the courses you will take to earn your Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
UG
3 credits
An introduction to the various facets of communication from the world of news media to the persuasive realms of marketing, advertising, public relations, and social media. This course will also strengthen your knowledge of the media and communication industries, their history and current practices, their content, and their effects on us, as individuals, and society.
UG
3 credits
Introduction to writing for print,broadcast, and online journalism. Major emphasis on language skills and style conventions. Weekly laboratory required.
UG
3 credits
This course will develop appreciation and basic fluency in the application of visual and design literacy into emergent forms of digital media. Historical and theoretical perspectives will inform hands-on learning across topics including pre-visualization and the critical analysis of contemporary and iconic visual storytelling.
UG
3 credits
This course introduces students to digital media tools used to produce interactive and media rich stories. Students will learn key concepts in audio, video, infographics, images, and other digital technologies.
UG
3 credits
This course covers different styles and techniques including the various methods journalists use to ensure transparency in government and business. Students will gather news and information via observation, interviewing, accessing documents, and analyzing data. Special emphasis is placed on real-world news-gathering scenarios, fact finding, accuracy, and comprehensive storytelling.
UG
3 credits
This course covers the legal and ethical framework defining media freedoms and constraints in the U.S., including copyright and trademark issues. The course will consider social responsibility and present a contemporary framework for transparency with a focus on ethics as guiding journalistic principles.
“Auditioning for NewsWatch Ole Miss and getting hired there was pretty much how I got my start. It opened up a lot of opportunities for me due to the work that I put in, and I was blessed to be able to make things happen as a result of it.”
Fellow, NBA on TNT, B.A.J. ‘22
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?
