The Mission of the School

The mission of the School of Journalism is to foster critical thinking about media institutions and global audiences, encourage ethics in an international environment, and develop skills for dynamic journalism and media professions. This mission is both academic and professional; it is about learning, teaching and doing as informed by our core values of excellence, innovation, diversity, integrity, and social responsibility. We are committed to scholarly research in journalism and public communication, to liberal arts education, and to professional practice in media work.

The Mission of the Baccalaureate Program

The mission of the baccalaureate program of the School of Journalism is to help students learn to read, think, and communicate clearly, critically, and creatively. The school is committed to liberal education in the arts and sciences as well as to professional training in the skills of journalism and mass communication. The school believes that both breadth and depth of learning must characterize the undergraduate experience. To this end, the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree emphasizes:

• development of strong skills in writing, critical thinking, independent learning, mathematics, foreign language, computers, and new information technologies;
• exposure to a broad range of course work in the liberal arts and sciences, both in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the liberal arts courses within the School of Journalism;
• understanding of cultures outside the United States and of minority cultures within the United States;
• training in the professional skills of journalism and mass communication, including reporting, writing, editing, visual communication, new communications technology, and collaborative group work; training in statistical analysis and quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• awareness of the institutions, processes, and effects of mass media in society;
• in-depth exploration of a subject other than journalism and mass communications;
• preparation for a lifetime of learning.

Because its mission coincides with the philosophy and goals of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the school seeks accreditation every six years from this national body. ACEJMC accredited the school most recently in 2008.