Be the voice that tells the world what they need to know.

With a journalism minor, you’ll open the door to the field of public relations, full of opportunities to improve your verbal and writing skills while creating the foundation for a rewarding career. Your journalism minor will cover variety of media-related subjects in your journalism courses, such as print and online media, media law, design, social media, public relation and advertising. But you won’t just study – you'll have the opportunity to practice your skills by writing for our award-winning campus newspaper, working in our Office of Sports Information, interning with our Office of Communications and Marketing, joining our champion speech and debate team, and more.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$48,370

Average Salary

47K

U.S. Jobs

70+

Newspaper Awards

22

Debate Champions
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Minor

Adding a journalism minor to a bachelor’s degree in communication arts – or another major altogether – means you’ll learn about important aspects of human communication through a diverse series of journalism coursework. You will learn skills vital to the field of journalism and public relations, such a various content structures and storytelling, as you study a wide variety of media-related subjects, including print and online media, social media, media law, design, and advertising. 

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the journalism program at Cumberlands is to teach you about all aspects of human communication while equipping you with all the skills you need to launch a fulfilling career in media-related fields.

Create print and online media, design, and advertising projects.

Gain hands-on experience in various forms of mass media.

Understand media law and ethics.

Develop confidence and stronger critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Sharpen your writing, editing, and interviewing skills.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Journalism Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Journalist: $44,145

Journalist: $44,145

Journalists do research and keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information.

Editor: $75,699

Editor: $75,699

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.

Reporter: $51,255

Reporter: $51,255

Reporters are a subset of journalists who deliver news stories to the world.

Writer: $59,605

Writer: $59,605

Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media.

Public Relations Specialist: $59,506

Public Relations Specialist: $59,506

Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.

News Analyst: $65,356

News Analyst: $65,356

News analysts work in radio and television, sharing their opinions with the audience, based on their expertise in a particular subject.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

A journalism minor provides students with essential skills in media-related fields, including writing, editing, media law, and public relations. It offers both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience through opportunities like writing for the campus newspaper and working in communications roles on campus.

The journalism minor typically requires around 18-24 credit hours. The exact length of time depends on your course load and your overall degree program.

A journalism minor is valuable for students looking to enhance their communication and writing skills. It provides a solid foundation for a career in media, public relations, and communications fields.

With a journalism minor, you can pursue careers in journalism, editing, writing, public relations, and media production. It prepares you for roles that require strong communication and content creation skills.

To earn a journalism minor, you must complete a set of required courses in areas like media law, writing, and public relations, along with gaining practical experience in various media formats.

Yes, the skills gained from a journalism minor, such as writing, editing, and media law, provide a strong foundation for freelance work in journalism, writing, and content creation.

Journalism can be challenging due to tight deadlines and the need for strong writing and research skills. However, it is also a rewarding field for those passionate about communication and storytelling.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Communications

Learn more about the communications professors you will interact with.

Robert Floyd

Robert Floyd

Assistant Professor
Communications and Media Arts

Robert Floyd

Contact Information

robert.floyd [at] ucumberlands.edu
Jeremiah Massengale

Jeremiah Massengale

Assistant Professor, Director of Journalism, Faculty Advisor for The Patriot (Campus Newspaper)
Communications and Media Arts

Jeremiah Massengale

Contact Information

jeremiah.massengale [at] ucumberlands.edu
GCR 109
Dr. Michael Dickman

Dr. Michael Dickman

Professor
Communications and Media Arts

Dr. Michael Dickman

Contact Information

michael.dickman [at] ucumberlands.edu
Grace Crum Rollins Building, RM 112

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