Journalism Studies



The journalism studies program combines strong professional skills with a solid background in the liberal arts and sciences. The major provides the core of courses essential for today's print and broadcast newswriter as well as a wide selection of courses that address the changing issues and technologies within the field of journalism.

Special Opportunities


The flexibility of the journalism studies curriculum allows students to concentrate in one or more specialized areas in addition to journalism. These areas might include broadcasting, international studies, management, or government. Popular with journalism students are dual majors or minors in public relations, communication arts, and political science or government. Journalism majors can easily fit in a semester of study abroad.

Critical to the success of a journalism studies major is the internship experience. Internships are available during the semester in the news and sports departments of various central New York newspapers, television stations, and radio stations. In addition, students may choose to pursue internships during the summer at media outlets near their hometowns or in major media markets. UC interns have found placements in New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Hartford, Trenton, and Albany, among many other cities. Many of these internships have led to jobs upon graduation.

Besides an internship, the next most important ingredient for career success in journalism is campus media experience. The Tangerine, Utica College's weekly campus newspaper, is a great place to try out photography, reporting, interviewing, and writing skills as well as put into practice the graphic design principles learned in classes. The campus also has a student radio station where many journalism majors hold positions as disc jockeys or news announcers.

A very special benefit for journalism majors is their eligibility for the Frank E. Gannett Scholarship. Started in 1975 with a $250,000 gift from the Gannett Foundation, the scholarship has since provided more than $500,000 to journalism majors at UC. In addition, the Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations, named for the retired founder of UC's journalism and public relations programs, provides scholarships, awards, and paid internships to students enrolled in the journalism studies major. The institute also sponsors a professional-in-residence program which brings prominent media professionals to campus.


Faculty


UC's journalism faculty members all have strong professional backgrounds as well as continuing involvement in their fields.
Professor David Chanatry spent twenty years at NBC News, writing and producing news stories for several programs including NBC Nightly News. He was recently a Knight Fellow in Science Journalism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has served as a judge for broadcast awards given by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Professor Cecilia Friend, director of the Department of Communication, spent more than 10 years as a full-time reporter and editor and has continued to work as editor, writing and design coach since joining UC.

A second edition of her copyediting textbook, "Contemporary Editing," will be published by McGraw Hill next year.
Friend was recently honored with the Harold T. Clark Jr. Award for Scholarly and professional accomplishments.

Friend has held several offices in the national professional organization for journalism educators, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society for News Design and Investigative Reporters and Editors.

Professor Kim Landon has been a newspaper reporter and editor, freelance writer, and writing coach. She has held several offices in the national professional organization for journalism educators. Professor Landon was honored with the College's Distinguished Teaching Award.

Professor Emeritus John Behrens, an award-winning magazine journalist, is author/editor of 13 books and more than 6,500 articles. He is editor of the magazine Homebusiness, and still teaches Magazine Article Writing.

Professor Emeritus Raymond Simon, founder of UC's public relations and journalism programs, is still active mentoring students and as executive director of the Raymond Simon Institute. The Institute offers summer internships, cash awards and opportunities to network with successful UC alumni.

In October 1999, Professor Simon was recognized by PRWeek as one of the top 100 most influential PR practitioners of the 20th Century. His textbooks, still in use nationwide, served as the national academic standard for decades.

Facilities


The journalism department has a modern computer lab offering access to IBM-based software for word processing and desktop publishing. In addition, journalism classes introduce students to ways reporters use the Internet, World Wide Web, and various databases.

Career Opportunities

Journalism studies graduates have a variety of career options. Their skills are desired by all of the major mass media as well as other industries that employ skilled writers. UC graduates have found jobs at newspapers and at radio and television stations of all sizes, including the national networks. Some alumni have taken their skills into public relations and advertising firms and into the business and political worlds.

UC Graduates


"UC gave me the opportunity to develop as a writer, which is one of the most important skills you'll need when pursuing a career in journalism or public relations. Good writers go far. It's that simple. From the training I received in the classroom to the opportunity to work on the Tangerine, there is no question in my mind that UC helped me get where I am today."
--Michael McKeon '85 Press Secretary for New York State Governer George E. Pataki

"Small classroom sizes, hands-on training, and the opportunity to develop strong skills in journalism and public relations made a big difference to me. My experiences at Utica College propelled me to my first job as a reporter and those journalism skills formed the foundation for my work in public relations. I use my skills learned through UC's journalism and public relations programs in my work today. The programs offer a mix of strong classroom work with intense practical experiences like working on the student newspaper or covering a town board meeting."
--Jacqueline LaChance McKeon '84 ,Public Relations Coordinator, Taconic Telephone Corp., Chatham, NY

"You expect to learn the basics when you attend college. At UC you learn more, and you do it in classes where the professors know who you are. But come prepared to learn because that's what the faculty at UC demands. You will thank the faculty when you enter the job market capable of handling the challenges of the high pressure world of journalism."
--Peter Callas '81, Managing Editor for News,Trenton Times newspaper

"Utica College was a wonderful experience which opened up many doors for me. It offered me a chance to explore my interests within the fields of journalism and public relations, to work on the Tangerine, at the College radio station, and for the Public Relations Student Society of America. The courses I took and the work experiences that I had at UC built the solid foundation which has helped me enjoy a successful career for more than two decades."
--Jacqueline Boulden '75, Anchor/Reporter for FOX Philadelphia News

Further Information


Contact Cecilia Friend, Director, Communication. cfriend@utica.edu