Baccalaureate Degrees

The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication (SJSC) offers majors in Journalism, Media Design and Development, Strategic Communication, and the Teaching Major in Journalism.

All programs include the SJSC Core (30 to 33 credit hours) that provide a solid foundation in principles and practices. Most majors require only 15 to 18 additional credit hours beyond the SJSC core in a specialization area, allowing flexibility and freedom for students to pursue a second SJSC major or complementary concentration. Each major and concentration is intentionally designed to equip students with practical, career-ready skills tailored to the demands of today’s media and communication industries.

Journalism Major

The Journalism Major delivers a hands-on, immersive experience that prepares you for success in a fast-paced, constantly evolving industry. From day one, you’ll work on real-world projects and internships while mastering storytelling across platforms—print, video, audio, social media, blogs, apps, and more. You’ll gain valuable experience in student media outlets, professional organizations, and a fully equipped newsroom lab using the latest technology. Along the way, you’ll build a strong foundation in journalism while choosing to specialize in one of four career-focused concentrations:

• Writing and Multimedia Storytelling
• Mass Communication
• Photographic Storytelling
• Sports Writing and Multimedia Storytelling

Media Design and Development Major

In the Media Design and Development Major, you’ll master the art and process of visual storytelling—using compelling design across all platforms to create impactful, audience-driven experiences. You’ll explore innovation and entrepreneurial approaches to media in a rapidly evolving landscape. Through immersive, hands-on projects, you’ll gain real-world experience using design methodology, information design, and visual presentation techniques to engage and inform audiences.

Strategic Communication Major

The Strategic Communication Major offers four career-focused concentrations—Advertising, Public Relations, Sports, and Creative AI Management and Strategies—each designed to help you become a strategic communicator across emerging digital, social, and traditional platforms. Through real-world communication campaigns that use cutting-edge tools, you’ll help actual clients achieve their goals and gain practical experience that translates directly to your future career.

Choose your concentration:

• Advertising: Craft persuasive campaigns through research, strategy, creative design, media planning, and analytics.
• Public Relations: Build meaningful relationships that foster trust, visibility, and audience engagement.
• Sports: Design and deliver sports-focused messaging to grow fanbases, strengthen brands, and build loyalty.
• Creative AI Management and Strategies: Leverage AI tools to gain audience insights, develop creative content, advance data-driven storytelling, and execute campaigns.

Teaching Major in Journalism

The Teaching Major in Journalism is designed for students preparing to teach journalism at the secondary level. The program integrates foundational journalism courses with pedagogy and classroom experience in partnership with Ball State University’s Teachers College.

Students complete the same core journalism and multimedia courses as other majors, gaining skills in writing, reporting, design, and digital storytelling. Professional preparation includes extensive field experiences: working alongside a licensed secondary teacher and completing a full 16-week student teaching assignment. Graduates are equipped to lead journalism programs and engage students in contemporary storytelling practices.