Our journalism students are afforded the resources and flexibility to pursue their passion while honing skills that will last them a lifetime. The tools journalists use to tell their stories are constantly changing and our majors learn how to write for and publish stories on a wide variety of platforms. Students also learn to utilize the photo and visual design tools at their disposal to tell digital and multimedia stories in a variety of ways.
We offer four option areas and a diverse list of electives that allow for specialization in a wide variety of disciplines. Our majors get additional hands-on experience by writing for the Daily Eastern News or working at WEIU, where the television and radio broadcasting facilities provide professional-level equipment for radio, television, video, and independent film production. And of course students have the opportunity to work on our Emmy award winning, live news broadcast, News Watch.
Do you want to go to Law School? As a journalism major you not only learn important public communication skills, but can complete your undergraduate coursework within three years at EIU and start law school at Northern Illinois University during your senior year. This means that you can obtain your B.A. and J.D. within 6 years total. Learn more about this opportunity here.
The School of Communication and Journalism prepares students to think critically, act responsibly, and produce creatively to better communicate in a diverse, democratic society. Our school offers a variety of majors that combine liberal arts education with professional and hands-on training. Courses are designed to develop oral, written, relational, digital and visual skills critical to the fields of communication and journalism. We foster communication approaches that facilitate freedom of expression, transparency, advocacy, and civic engagement.
Adopted by the faculty: November 5, 2018
The Division of Journalism is dedicated to educating students to become skillful communicators, critical thinkers, knowledgeable media consumers and users, and ethical leaders capable of understanding and protecting the democratic process. Students will be encouraged to gain the experience and skills essential to life-long learning in an enriched professional environment, including integrated learning opportunities in student and professional media. The faculty will assure excellence in teaching that reflects the diverse heritage that enriches a free and democratic society and prepares students for an ever-changing media in a multicultural, diverse, national and international communications environment.
Adopted by the faculty: Sept. 28, 2014 (Division name updated Fall 2019)
Buzzard Hall 2521
217-581-6003
cmnjou@eiu.edu