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Online bachelor's degrees in journalism are highly versatile and help students develop core skills in critical thinking, research, narrative writing, and public communication. Journalists play a key role in a healthy democracy and in society today by keeping the public informed. 

Journalism is especially important because it should be written in the public interest and ideally, should be protected from corporate or government intervention, or used for political or financial gain.

An online bachelor's in journalism and mass communications will prepare students for careers in public communication through newspapers and magazines, newsletters, radio and television, documentaries, social media, or photojournalism.

Some programs might offer specializations in areas such as digital journalism, data, or sports coverage. Many journalists opt to double major or minor in reporting areas, including health, science, environmental science, social justice, or specific communities. Students may also decide to switch majors to a related field, like a political science degree. 

Online bachelor's degrees in journalism typically require the equivalent of around 120 semester hours, or four years of study. Such programs can be found at a variety of public and private colleges and universities. 

Most schools require a high school diploma or GED for admission, letters of recommendation, and application essays. Depending on the school, students may also be asked to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Some students may enter the workforce after completing an online journalism bachelor's degree. Others may pursue an affordable master's degree in journalism or another field to advance their careers and expertise.

Online bachelor's degrees in journalism include general education requirements as well as journalism-specific classes. For Bachelor of Arts degrees, general education classes usually include math, science, social science, and the arts and humanities. While a Bachelor of Science is less common for journalism students, BS degrees usually require more math and science-heavy general education classes.

Online journalism courses often include news writing, mass media law, ethics for journalists, and photo and video editing. Students also usually complete a capstone course and an internship, allowing you to gain experience in your field as you pursue your degree. Online students can often complete internships with newspapers or publications in their local area or remotely.

Many students who pursue an online journalism degree look to standard forms of media in hopes of entering the field as a newspaper, television, or magazine reporter. However, with the ever-expanding world of new media and digital media, many careers are available to those who graduate with a journalism degree. 

The following are some career options for journalism graduates:

follow up on stories, conduct interviews and quality research, gather facts, and write news or feature stories for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. Broadcast and radio reporters directly deliver their research and findings to the audience via audio and video broadcasts. Today's reporters also often share their findings on podcasts and social media. 

are often employed by newspapers, magazines, and publishing companies to oversee the overall content and quality of work submitted by reporters and writers. Often, editors assign stories or articles and suggest new directions in the piece or help shape a developing story with new ideas. They are also often responsible for ensuring finished work is presented without mistakes and meets all necessary guidelines.

is another opportunity. Publicists manage publicity for individual people, businesses, or corporations. The majority of public relations specialists handle multiple clients in a private practice. They present a positive public image for the individual or business, generate press coverage, and serve as a bridge between clients, media, and the public. A successful publicist manages campaigns, writes press releases, and performs a variety of other public relations functions.

are another idea for journalism majors because these students are often skilled at writing clear, concise copy for the general public. play an important role in communicating complex information in instruction manuals, guides, articles, how-to videos, and other content. They often work in information technology or scientific and technical research.

Many journalists go on to become , whether they produce writing online or in print. Some might do research and write a nonfiction book or a collection of essays, while others might turn to creative fiction or creative nonfiction. Blogging, writing for subscribers on sites like Substack, ghostwriting, and content writing are also common avenues for journalists.

Major strides and advances in new media have opened up a wide pool of tools and career opportunities to those interested in a journalistic career. This demanding field requires commitment and diligence to be successful. Prospective journalism students would do well to interview local professionals about industry trends, typical work days, and other industry-related issues before deciding if journalism is the right career path.

For those interested in working in front of or behind the news camera, a broadcast journalism degree may be the right fit. With behind-the-scenes career options that include writing, editing, and producing, or center stage careers as a news anchor, broadcast journalism programs provide technical and practical experience.

The diversity of the program affords students the ability to combine critical thinking and masterful storytelling to reach diverse audiences through ethical reporting.

Bachelor's coursework includes newsgathering fundamentals, media research and analysis, television news reporting, and information graphics and visualization.

Applicants usually need to submit their high school transcripts or GED information, along with any previous college transcripts. Some schools might also require SAT or ACT scores and letters of recommendation.

This degree, along with an internship, is a good choice for students pursuing positions as news anchors, reporters, content writers, station managers, or production assistants.

A master's program in broadcast journalism allows students to choose a specialty area, such as long-form audio and video documentaries, online multimedia news production, or app creation, among many others.

A doctoral degree in broadcast journalism may prepare a professional for the field of academia and administration, as well as positions in media entities, strategic communication firms, and corporations. Master's and doctoral degree students complete a thesis or a dissertation, respectively.

Whether or not a degree in journalism is worth it depends on your professional and personal interests, financial situation, and other factors. 

There are many pros and cons to earning a degree in journalism. It is a competitive industry and the job tends to be fast-paced and stressful at times. It can also be difficult to get a job in a traditional newsroom as the industry is changing rapidly, and news reporters are often underpaid.

However, there are many upsides to the versatile degree. A bachelor's in journalism can open the door to a wide variety of other jobs. It's closely related to careers in marketing, social media, copywriting, editing, and other careers that might be more highly paid. 

Journalism graduates learn critical thinking, analytical skills, are often highly adaptable, and can write clear and concise copy for the general public. These strengths are in high demand across many different sectors, from business to healthcare. They also usually finish their program with a robust portfolio of writing clips and work experience that will help them get a job after college.

Ultimately, students will need to closely consider if a journalism degree aligns with their professional goals and how important a financial payoff will be for them. Students who are ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard will likely benefit from and enjoy a bachelor's in journalism program and a varied career after college. 

You do not need a journalism degree to be a journalist. Some journalists might earn their degrees in related areas. Some examples are a communications degree, a writing degree, or an English degree. Other times, students may obtain a degree specific in the subject they want to investigate and write about, such as an environmental science degree for those interested in pressing environmental issues. However, it will likely be difficult to get a job at a newspaper or magazine without work experience, which is difficult to get without a bachelor's degree.

A bachelor's degree in journalism is designed to take about four years of full-time study to complete. However, it usually takes undergraduates longer to graduate than they expect. Students with previous college experience or an associate degree can often reduce that time by transferring their credits.

While traditional journalism jobs for reporters and editors are on the decline, there are a wide variety of growing jobs that journalism majors are well-prepared for. More and more journalists are working for nonprofit organizations, writing content for websites, or working in marketing and public relations.

Skills in computer coding, data analytics, social media management, and search engine optimization will make journalists more employable. Specializing in healthcare reporting, environmental science or climate reporting, technology, politics, economics, or social justice can also help journalists boost their employability.

Students looking for an online degree in journalism should only apply at accredited schools. If a school has accreditation, it means it is continuously reviewed by an approved third-party organization to make sure the college and its programs meet academic standards.

If you go to a college without accreditation, you won't be able to use federal financial aid to help pay for your degree. You also won't be able to transfer your credits or go to graduate school at an accredited college. Every college on our website is accredited by an approved agency to help students find quality schools that will help them advance their career.

It's also important for students to consider what their professional career goals are when choosing a bachelor's degree.

Journalism is a great program for those who enjoy writing for the general public, but it also requires rigorous fact-checking, a high level of accuracy, and attention to detail. It can also be intense at times when covering breaking news or writing on a tight deadline.

One of the most important things you can get out of a journalism degree is writing samples. Students should be sure their program offers opportunities to have their work published, typically by working on a student newspaper, magazine, or online publication.

An internship component is also critical for journalism students. Those who graduate with no work experience and limited writing samples will likely struggle to find a job after college.