Journalism and Media, BSC
Launch your media career today with the School of Journalism and Media. Students gain real-world experience and learn from award-winning faculty while preparing for their future media careers.
Program overview
At the School of Journalism and Media, students are empowered to pursue the journalistic and creative interests that best align with their specific career goals.
Areas of study offered through the major include creative media, leadership and enterprise, news, science communication, and sports communication.
Our renowned faculty brings real-world expertise to the classroom, ensuring students receive a high-quality education via small class sizes that blend tradition with innovation and emphasizes getting hands on from day one.
Beyond the classroom, students can grow their craft through hands-on learning experiences through our CCI Media Center, competitive internships at local and national media companies, study abroad programs, and annual professional development trips.
With a commitment to cutting-edge education, the school prepares students to not only excel in today’s rapidly changing media world, but to lead it.
Concentrations
Students are encouraged to prepare for future journalism and media careers by choosing a path that best suits their goals and career interests.
- Creative Media – If you are interested in creative writing, producing, and directing for the entertainment world, including for television broadcasting and digital media, this concentration is for you. The School of Journalism and Media maintains relationships with major entertainment media companies that offer excellent opportunities to our students.
- News – Students interested in becoming news writers, reporters, anchors, editors, producers, or news directors for a variety of news media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online news sites, should get this concentration.
- Sports Communication – Is sports writing, reporting, programming, on-air talent, and production your area of interest? Then this is your concentration. The School of Journalism and Media maintains relationships with major sports media companies that offer excellent opportunities to our students.
Why study Journalism & Media?
Learn how the Volunteer Spirit can be part of your journalistic and creative work as we emphasize using our talents to serve the public good. Learn how to use your diverse media platform to make a positive difference in the world.
Responsible journalism
Be part of a growing team dedicated to supporting local journalism in East Tennessee and beyond. Practice storytelling focused on serving our communities by providing high-quality, accurate news about the people and the issues affecting them.
Learn from award-winning faculty
Be mentored by those who know the industry first-hand and have earned several accolades for their work. Our faculty’s achievements include winning multiple Emmy®, Telly, Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards.
Hands on from day one
Gain real-world experience as a student and grow your media portfolio prior to graduating with your degree. Take advantage of our on-campus CCI Media Center as well as competitive internships at local and national media companies to grow your craft.
What sets us apart
100%
of our students
complete an internship or practicum, ensuring they get professional, hands-on experience in the field.
7
on-campus media properties
The Media Center provides many opportunities for students to learn.
18:1
is our student-to-faculty ratio at the School of Journalism and Media.
What can you do with a BSC in Communication Studies after graduation?
When you graduate with a major in journalism and media from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, you become a part of a rich history of Vol-made media professionals leading the industry in sports, news, broadcast, radio, and digital media communication. Connect and learn from them as you prepare to carry the torch beyond Rocky Top after graduation.
Audio
Audio and Video Technicians
- Tasks:
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Related minors:
- Computer Science
- Communication
- Journalism and Media (Broadcast)
- Entry-level salary: $44,000 in Tenn.; $52,000 in US
Sound Engineering Technicians
- Tasks
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
- Related Minors
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Communication
- Entry-level salary: $51,000 in Tenn.; $59,000 in US
Broadcast
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- Tasks
- Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Related minors
- English
- Communication
- Law/Political Science
- Entry-level salary: $41,000 in Tenn.; $58,000 in US
Broadcast Technicians
- Tasks
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Monitor and log transmitter readings.
- Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
- Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Related minors
- English
- Communication
- Law/Political Science
- Entry-level salary: $41,000 in Tenn.; $58,000 in US
Digital
Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Tasks
- Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
- Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
- Conduct user research to determine design requirements and analyze user feedback to improve design quality.
- Related minors
- Advertising and Public Relations
- Information Science
- Entry-level salary: $45,000 in Tenn.; $66,000 in US
Video
Film & Video Editors
- Tasks
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Related minors
- Communication
- English
- Art
- Graphic Design
- Entry-level salary: $61,000 in Tenn.; $67,000 in US
Photo & visual design
Photographer/Photojournalist
- Tasks
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Related minors
- Art
- Graphic Design
- Advertising and Public Relations
- Entry-level salary: $40,000
Writing
Film & Video Editors
- Tasks
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Related Minors
- Communication
- English
- Art
- Graphic Design
- Entry-level salary: $61,000 in Tenn.; $67,000 in US
Helping CCI students start their career
Whether it is landing an internship, resume and portfolio building, or honing interview skills, our Office for Professional Development helps our students achieve their career goals.
Office of Professional Development
I engaged in numerous hands-on experiences at the School of Journalism and Media that have significantly helped me begin my career before I even graduated. Getting to do real-world work as an underclassman shaped my skills and gave me a step up in the job market.”
Jack Foster
Coordinator
Omaha Productions for Omaha Audio
Featured courses
JMED 331 – Digital Content Creation
Introduces students from varied disciplines to the basics of effective writing and content production across media platforms. Audience analytics is also introduced to give students the tools needed to understand their target audiences and how to effectively reach those audiences through digital content. Conceptual topics include professionalism and ethics.
JMED 416 – Audience Analytics
This course provides an understanding of the main theoretical concepts as well as analytical tools used to measure and understand audience behaviors across digital media platforms. Students will learn how to translate audience data into insights and actions to drive positive organizational and monetary growth. The importance of audience diversity and inclusion will also be covered.
JMED 460 – Advanced Television News Reporting and Producing
Production of daily and weekly television newscasts for The Volunteer Channel and on local television stations. Advanced course in TV news producing, reporting and anchoring. A state-of-the-art converged newsroom and high-definition studio are used in the production of weekly broadcasts.
JMED 464 – Video Sports Production
Introduction to the skills needed to produce a variety of sports events for the ESPN/SEC Network. Studio and portable multi-camera production techniques will be included. Students will also learn about play-by-play and sideline reporting for sports events.
Complementary minors
Minors that pair well with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information with a major in Journalism and Media include:
- Advertising and Public Relations
- Business Administration
- Cinema Studies
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