Journalism and Media Production Programs

The Department of Journalism and Media Production offers seven different majors, and several minors and certificate programs. Our programs prepare students to be competitive candidates when they enter the workforce and lead fulfilling careers. Read the descriptions of each program (majors, minors and certificates), then visit the associated program page and the MSU Denver catalog to learn more about requirements.

Broadcast Journalism is a program that focuses on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media; and that prepares individuals to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. The program includes instruction in the principles of broadcast technology; broadcast reporting; on- and off-camera and microphone procedures and techniques; program, sound, and video/film editing; program design and production; media law and policy; and professional standards and ethics.

Students complete an extended major in Journalism and Media Production by completing the 12-credit hour department core, the requirements for any one major within the department, an approved Senior Experience course, plus enough additional credit hours to total at least 66 credit hours.

The Journalism program prepares students for careers in traditional and convergent media. The overarching program goal is to produce students ready to work in the Journalism industry. Students graduate with fundamental news-gathering, writing, and copy and content editing skills. They have been instructed in the legal environment of Journalism. They have been exposed to ethical decision-making in Journalism.

The Media Production and Leadership degree expose students to a variety of ways of leading others in implementing technology ethically to better communicate with audiences. Professional media producers need to rely on a large team of technical experts in writing, sound, camera usage, editing, and web design to maximize the effectiveness and results of media-related projects. The Media Production and Leadership Major teaches students to participate in this growing field and become effective leaders.

Students in the Public Relations major will build upon the fundamentals of journalism and media production in a program that focuses on the theories and methods for helping organizations and individuals nurture their reputations so that they can achieve their goals; employing communication strategies and tactics that influence internal and external stakeholders and prospects in the general public; and that prepares individuals to function as public relations assistants, technicians, and managers. Students receive instruction in public relations theory; related principles of persuasion, marketing, and journalism; message/image design; image management; media relations; community relations; public affairs; and internal and external communication.

21st-century readers are ‘raiders of information’ whether that means searching for a restaurant near you or checking to see that a component you need is compatible with your type of vehicle, or computer. We all want to quickly find the information we need to do what we want, and that’s exactly where Technical Communication comes in! Technical writing is the practice of a clear, concise, and complete writing style, dissimilar from news or entertainment writing, which is used to convey important information internally and externally to customers. It is present in every industry from engineering and healthcare to construction, computers, manufacturing, and beyond! Strong writers are needed and should major in the skills every industry is actively seeking now.

Students in the Video Production Major, B.S., are immersed in all aspects of working with video, whether a short film or documentary, television package or commercial, demonstration or educational video, music video, or public service announcement. Students cover theories, concepts, techniques, and practical applications employed in various areas of industry including entertainment, business, government, and the many applications within the media production field. Video production students work through the conception, pre-production, production, and post-production stages as they develop specialized skills throughout their studies. They cap their work in the program with a video thesis or an internship in video production.