Newspaper Journalist: Career Education in News Journalism
The newspaper journalism industry requires individuals with a unique skill set who can work in an environment of meeting deadlines and expectations. Educational programs for prospective newspaper journalists vary, but cover all the skills needed for employment in this field.
Newspaper Journalists
The industry is highly competitive. Prospective newspaper journalists typically need an educational program with a solid curriculum that requires work experience to help them land a job.
Newspaper Journalists Job Description
Newspaper journalists may also be referred to as reporters or correspondents. They provide information to the general public about events, people and ideas. Newspaper journalists can work for local or national publications. These individuals must be skilled at research and fact-checking.
Educational Requirements to Become a Newspaper Journalist
Most newspaper journalists enter the field with a bachelor's degree in journalism, news writing or communications. If concentrations are offered within these programs, individuals should choose the newspaper-related concentration as opposed to magazine or general news writing. Curriculums might include courses in writing and editing techniques, reporting, newspaper writing history and journalistic ethics. Some programs require diagnostic exams in grammar and editing that students must pass to remain in the program. With the growing presence of online reporting, many schools incorporate online journalism courses into the curriculum.
Along with formal education, it's helpful for aspiring newspaper journalists to have relevant work experience. Many employers prefer to hire those who have experience with meeting deadlines and working with other journalists. Because of this, many programs require an internship or a minimum amount of published work. Some internship opportunities may be general and others may be with a specific newspaper department.
Career Overview
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals will face strong competition for newspaper jobs, especially with publications in large cities or those that are syndicated nationally (www.bls.gov). The availability of online news sources and their ability to publish stories immediately has hurt the newspaper industry. The best opportunities for entry-level newspaper journalists may be with smaller publications. Those who can write on scientific and technical subjects may also find more opportunities.
Salary Information
According to Payscale.com, the annual pay range for journalists from the 10th to the 90th percentile nationally in July 2011 was $20,319-$61,296. Location was a major determinant of the salary range, but even among big cities the range can vary dramatically.
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11 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arkansas (1 campus)
- Arizona (4)
- California (17)
- Colorado (3)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Missouri (3)
- Mississippi (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Colorado (2 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MA in Communication
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- MA in Communication: New Media & Marketing
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have some prior college credit.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS - Communication
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
- Non-Degree
