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Journalism

By combining evolving media practices with a firm writing foundation, our students cultivate the tools necessary to thrive in today's emerging markets.

Students recording a video in video studio

Are you ready for the future of journalism?

Journalism students at Simmons stand on the shoulders of our celebrated Communications alum and college namesake, Gwen Ifill '77 '93HD, a pioneering Black woman journalist who broke through barriers of prejudice and stands as a model of professional excellence and a purposeful life. As a Journalism students, You'll actively engage with the challenges of print, multimedia, and social media journalism while gaining understandings of the impact of the media on society and the individual, as well as the strategies and skills to practice responsibly and ethically. Our faculty are seasoned media professionals offering their expertise both within and beyond the classroom, developing projects that show students what the front lines of media really look like, and advising our student run newspaper and award-winning radio station.

You'll hone your skills through internships in Boston and beyond and enter this rapidly changing industry with an impressive portfolio, ready to take on anything.

Journalism is offered as both a stand-alone minor and as a concentration within the Communications major.

Required Courses (8 credits)

COMM122 Media Writing and Editing 4
COMM260 Journalism 4

Electives (select 2)

COMM 215 Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing 4
COMM263 Social Media Journalism 4
COMM310 In-Depth Storytelling 4
COMM320 Media and the First Amendment 4
COMM322 Video Journalism 4

COMM 328: when appropriate

Tech Courses (2 credits, choose two)

COMM110 Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 1
COMM112 Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 1
COMM114 Introduction to Audio and Video Editing 1

The communications department offers a program in Communications with concentrations in Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media, a joint program between Communications and the Business in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, a joint program between Communications and Computer Science in Web Design and Development, an Interdisciplinary major in Arts Administration, and three Complete Degree programs, which are entirely on-line and geared toward adult learners. The course requirements for these programs follow.

BA in Communications

Communications majors complete 42 credits in Communications, including 3 required core courses, 2 1-credit technology courses, 4 courses in their concentration, 2 courses outside their concentration, and an independent learning Capstone experience.

Step One: Core Requirements

All Communications students take a three-course introductory core:

COMM121 Visual Communication 4
COMM122 Media Writing and Editing 4
COMM124 Media, Messages and Society 4
 

Step Two: Technology Courses

All students complete at least two-credits of technology skill-based courses:

COMM110 Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 1
COMM112 Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 1
COMM114 Introduction to Audio and Video Editing 1

Step Three: Concentration Courses

Courses are broadly organized around the concentrations of Design, Integrated Media, and Journalism.

Students take 4 courses in one of the concentrations below, and 2 courses distributed among the other two concentrations. At least two of these six courses should be at the 300 level.

Design Integrated Media Journalism
COMM 210 Introduction to Graphic Design COMM 120 Communications Media COMM 181 Public Speaking and Presentation
COMM 241 Design Thinking COMM 163 Radio Operations and Podcasting
COMM 215 Blogging and Op/Ed Writing
COMM 240 Typography COMM 186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications COMM 260 Journalism
COMM 244 Web Design COMM 224 Storytelling COMM 263 Social Media Journalism
COMM 246 Digital Imaging for Design
 COMM 220 Video Production
 COMM 310 In-Depth Storytelling
COMM 248 Type and Image COMM 222 Animation COMM 312 Health Communications
COMM 286 Advertising Practice and Branding COMM 262 Media Convergence COMM 320 Media and the First Amendment
COMM 333 Responsive Design
 COMM 269 Globalization and Intercultural Communications (periodic travel course)  COMM 322 Video Journalism
COMM 340 Advanced Design COMM 281 Content Creation and Strategies
 COMM 327 Culture of the News
  COMM 323 Digital Cultures
  
  COMM 324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics  

Step Four: Capstone

Students take at least 4 credits of an independent learning Capstone in the senior year:

COMM370 Internship 4
COMM380 Capstone Internship 0
COMM390 Studio 5: A Communication Workplace 4

Integrated Media Concentration

Students in Integrated Media complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Integrated Media concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Journalism, and a Capstone.

Integrated Media Courses:

COMM120 Communications Media 4
COMM163 Radio Operations and Podcasting 4
COMM186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications 4
COMM220 Video Production 4
COMM222 Animation 4
COMM 224 Storytelling 4
COMM262 Media Convergence 4
COMM269 Globalization and Intercultural Communication 4
COMM281 Content Creation and Strategy 4
COMM323 Digital Cultures 4
COMM324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics 4

Journalism Concentration

Students in the Journalism Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Journalism concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.

Journalism Courses:

COMM181 Public Speaking and Presentation 4
COMM 215 Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing 4
COMM260 Journalism 4
COMM263 Social Media Journalism 4
COMM310 In-Depth Storytelling 4
COMM312 Health Communications 4
COMM320 Media and the First Amendment 4
COMM322 Video Journalism 4
COMM327 Culture of the News 4

Design Concentration

Students in the Design Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Design concentration, 2 courses in Journalism and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.

Design Concentration Courses:

COMM210 Introduction to Graphic Design 4
COMM240 Typography 4
COMM241 Design Thinking 4
COMM244 Web Design 4
COMM246 Digital Imaging for Design 4
COMM248 Type and Image 4
COMM286 Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding 4
COMM333 Responsive Design 4
COMM340 Advanced Design 4

Internships are a key component of the journalism program. In a cultural center like Boston, there are countless opportunities to build your skills, resume and networking relationships with organizations in the city and beyond. Recent placements include the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe, and the Metro. 

An overview of the Communications program at Simmons University. Click to play the video

Communications at Simmons University

See what it's like to be part of our Communications program.

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Our Faculty

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Erica Moura

Associate Professor of Practice

Anne Stuart

Adjunct Faculty

Marcie McClellan Dumolga

Adjunct Faculty

Traci Griffith headshot

Traci Griffith

Adjunct Faculty

Nick Osborne

Adjunct Faculty

Bob White photo

Bob White

Professor

Spotlight on Journalism Students and Alums

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Incoming Simmons Undergrad Selected for Journalism Initiative

Incoming Simmons student Tristie-Mattea Ortiz ’28 was accepted into the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Class of 2024, a project sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Connecticut.

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Trailblazing Reporter Maria Karagianis ’70 Shares the Power of Stories, Rebellion, and Luck

Coming of age in the 1960s and 70s, Maria Karagianis witnessed tumultuous protests. As a staff writer for The Boston Globe, she covered desegregation in Boston, apartheid in South Africa, and Syrian refugees in the Greek islands. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner, a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, and founder of the non-profit organization Discovering Justice.

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I'm Going to do Amazing Things: Abrielle Cunningham '23 on the Ifill Scholarship

Congratulations to Abrielle Cunningham '23, recipient of the Ifill Scholarship! Learn more about Abrielle's ambitions and how she hopes to do amazing things, just like Gwen Ifill.

Students working in the archives.

Simmons Students Revive Boston’s Lost West End

In Fall 2019, a group of 11 Simmons undergraduate students began researching the lost West End. Supported by a “Humanities Research for the Public Good” grant from the Council of Independent Colleges, the students created a series of exhibits, including one for the West End Museum, one on Simmons’ campus, and a digital exhibit.

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