Journalism Major
Journalism at Rider University
If you are looking for a career that brings you to the heart of action in important current affairs and breaking news, Rider’s B.A. in Journalism will prepare you to think critically and produce powerful multiplatform news, sports and features content to meet the needs of today’s dynamic digital field.
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Rider’s journalism major combines traditional reporting and writing with digital video production, photography, data analysis and social media skills that are in demand today. Rider's multiplatform journalism majors graduate with polished, digital multiplatform portfolios to showcase their work and talents.
In addition, unlike many larger journalism programs, freshman journalism students at Rider can write, take photos, design pages and edit for the campus's award-winning student newspaper; have their own radio show at New Jersey’s 2016 Best College Radio Station The Bronc; or produce broadcast shows for The Rider University Network.
Some of our best students have performed statehouse political reporting, supervised by a professor, for newspapers across New Jersey.
Journalism, professional ethics and the analytical skills the field fosters are highly valued at Rider: each year, the student executive editor of The Rider News is awarded a full-tuition scholarship and the student managing editor is awarded a half-tuition scholarship. In addition, newspaper section editor posts are paid positions and serve as these students’ on-campus jobs.
Journalism Internship Opportunities
Rider's Communication and Journalism Department offers one of the most extensive communication internship programs anywhere. Because the University is located in a media-rich corridor, opportunities usually outnumber available students. Rider has working relationships with organizations such as Condé Nast Publishing, the New York Giants and Comcast Sportsnet. Our students have also won internships with the Trenton Thunder; Pinstripes Plus; and regional newspapers like The Times of Trenton and The Hudson Reporter. Read about how Thomas Regan ’17 picks up a beat with the 'Times of Trenton'.
Journalism Success Stories
Journalism graduates from Rider have gone on to jobs as digital news reporters; an anchor/reporter for a local broadcast station; an online editor for a national magazine; an editorial coordinator for a lifestyle magazine; and multimedia producers for the MLB and NHL. Read about Allie Ward, a Digital News Reporter for Newsmax Media.
Requirements for the Major and Concentrations
(48 credits)
Journalism students complete the requirements for the major and select either the Broadcast or Multiplatrform Journalism concentrations.
Journalism Major
Broadcast Journalism Concentration
Multiplatform Journalism Concentration
Journalism Major
(24 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS General Education Curriculum | ||
| Departmental Core (24 Credits) | 24 | |
| Introduction to News Writing | ||
| Speech Communication | ||
| Communication, Culture and Media | ||
| Fundamentals of Video Production | ||
| Intro to Media Convergence | ||
| Communication Law | ||
| Communication Ethics | ||
| Senior Seminar Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | Students may not carry a double major within the department. Communication and journalism majors may declare only one minor in the department. No more than two courses may be used to meet the requirements for both a major and a minor in the department. |
| 2 | If a student receives a grade lower than "C" in a course required in a major or minor course in the department, the student must repeat the course. Credit will only be awarded once for a course that is repeated. The student must also repeat the course before enrolling in any course for which it is a prerequisite. |
Multiplatform Journalism Concentration
(24 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 210 | News Reporting and Writing | 3 |
| COM 211 | Copy Editing | 3 |
| COM 212 | Digital Publication Design | 3 |
| COM 315 | Computer Assisted Reporting | 3 |
| COM 316 | Feature Writing | 3 |
| COM 361 | Photography | 3 |
| COM 415 | In-Depth Reporting | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Media | ||
| Advanced Speech Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Broadcast Journalism Concentration
(24 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 210 | News Reporting and Writing | 3 |
| COM 233 | Writing for Broadcast | 3 |
| COM 315 | Computer Assisted Reporting | 3 |
| COM 331 | Television Production | 3 |
| or COM 270 | Sports Multimedia Reporting | |
| COM 335 | Television Field Production | 3 |
| or COM 370 | Sports Television and Field Production | |
| COM 380 | Television Production Practicum | 3 |
| COM 415 | In-Depth Reporting | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Media | ||
| Speaking for Broadcast and New Media | ||
| Introduction to Web Design | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
