Journalism and Media Studies, B.A. - COLA, UNH

Why Major in Journalism?

For all of you who fear that Twitter and Facebook and blogging have replaced the need for professional journalists, think again. Because so much information inundates us every day, there is more of a need for journalists than ever. As professionals trained to recognize what’s important, report deeply, behave ethically, and write clearly and compellingly, journalists perform the essential task of deciphering the information upon which our democracy depends.

What have changed are the mediums used to deliver news. How strong a role traditional newspapers and magazines – or radio or TV for that matter – will play in the future is anyone’s guess, but what is clear is the need for journalists to provide the stories that help us understand our world. The heart of the work – the interviewing, fact gathering, observing, writing, and editing – remains the same whether you are composing a multimedia slideshow or a Page One feature, and it is upon those skills that the UNH Journalism Program is built. We will teach you to understand news. We will teach you to ask the questions that will elicit answers. We will teach you to simplify the complicated. Most important, we will teach you to become storytellers.

Today’s students will determine the future of journalism. That’s an awesome responsibility and an incredible opportunity. Don’t hesitate to start the adventure now.

The UNH Advantage

At many universities, the journalism major is part of the communications department, where courses emphasize theory and combine journalism with advertising or public relations. At UNH, the English/journalism major is part of the English department. The courses focus on reporting, writing and editing. (UNH also has a communication department, where you can take theory courses.)

No journalism class is larger than 20 students, and many are smaller. In all of the writing courses, students have frequent individual conferences with their instructors in addition to the class time, a technique pioneered at UNH and now used around the world (though rarely in journalism education). The small classes and constant instructor contact are among the reasons UNH journalism grads are so loyal to the program and keep in touch with one another -- and keep hiring one another -- for years after they graduate.

Whether you want to work in print, broadcast, or online journalism, the skills you learn at UNH will get your future started.

Can I minor in Journalism?

There is no such thing as a journalism minor at UNH, but you can be an English minor and take mostly journalism courses. All you need for an English minor is five English courses: two numbered in the 500's and three numbered 600 or above. So if you want to concentrate on journalism, take ENGL 534, 21st Century Journalism: How the News Works as one of your 500's, and then any three journalism courses you want. We're also happy to have you take journalism courses even if you're not an English major or minor.

English/Journalism Major Capstone Experience:

The Internship

As a requirement to graduate, each student in the English/Journalism Major completes an internship that provides a chance to put journalistic skills into practice and to acquire valuable real-world experience. Think of it as a big stepping stone toward finding a job and building a life after graduation from UNH.

The internship (counted for credit as English 720) can range from part-time work a day or two a week to a full-time, semester-long opportunity. Many students find it a rewarding conclusion to their academic studies and on-campus reporting and consider it a highlight of their time in the Journalism Program.

The UNH Journalism Program has connections with many news organizations in the state – including WMUR-TV, NHPTV, New Hampshire Magazine, NHPR, the Granite State News Collaborative, and more – and we can help students connect for internship opportunities. But you are also free to cast a wider net, seeking internships near and far. The College of Liberal Arts Career and Professional Services office can help you prepare a resume and social media accounts and can help you research internship opportunities of your own.

We recommend a reporting, editing, or production internship in a working newsroom as the best experience, no matter what career path you expect to follow. Certainly, anyone serious about becoming a journalist should pursue at least one newsroom internship while at UNH. Yet other opportunities that require reporting and storytelling skills – working in public relations, digital communications, etc. – may also qualify for English 720 credit.

Most students do their internship late in the junior year or as a senior. We encourage you to begin thinking early about what kind of internship experience you hope to have and during which semester you’d like to do it.

Contact Tom Haines at tom.haines@unh.edu for more information.

Requirements:

• Students must complete English 621/Newswriting and English 631/Digital Reporting prior to enrolling in English 720/Internship.

• Students interested in editing internships must be doing ‘A’ work in English 711/Editing.

• Students may apply for an internship while enrolled in English 631 or 711.

• Students need three published news stories to apply for an internship.

• Prior to applying, students must complete a resume/social media consultation with COLA’s Career and Professional Services office.

How to Apply:

The Journalism Program organizes applications each October for Spring internships and each March for Summer and Fall internships. When ready to apply, email program director Tom Haines at tom.haines@unh.edu and include the following: English/Journalism classes completed and grades for each; the kind of internship you hope to do; links to three published stories.

UNH Journalism Scholarships

The English Department has other awards and scholarships for which journalism majors may be eligible.

See the full list

Outside Journalism Scholarships

• American Copy Editors Society scholarships
• Radio and Television News Directors Association Scholarship
• Society of Professional Journalists grants, internships, fellowships and schoalrships
• Hearst Foundation awards
• Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarship for students who want to become international correspondents
• Women in Communications scholarships for students from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
• National Press Photographers Foundation scholarships
• Alpha Omega Council  offers a scholarship for Greek-Americans studying journalism

The Donald Murray Visiting Journalist Program is named in honor of the late Donald Murray, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who started the UNH journalism program in 1963. Terry Williams ’80, publisher of the Telegraph of Nashua, led the fundraising drive for the program, with primary support coming from The McLean Contributionship and from UNH journalism alumni. Sponsored by the journalism program, the Donald Murray Visiting Journalist Program brings accomplished alumni journalists to campus each year for week-long residencies during which they conduct classes, work with students and student media, and give a public lecture.

The Visiting Journalist program is sponsored by the UNH Journalism Program, the UNH English Department, the Telegraph of Nashua and the McLean Contributionship.

Learn about current and past visiting journalists

Support the UNH Journalism Program

Whether it's time, money, or advice for journalism students, we welcome your contributions. We rely on our network of alumni and friends to give back to the program that served them so well. Below are a few suggestions of ways you can help. If you have other ideas, great! Just let us know what you'd like to do.

Contribute to an Established UNH Journalism Fund

If you or your company is interested in contributing to the Michael Kelly scholarship fund, the Donald Murray Visiting Journalist Program, or any other aspect of journalism at UNH, contact any of us on the journalism faculty or click here to make a gift online. Choose "Other" and type in the name of the fund to which you would like to contribute. You may also give anonymously or in the memory of a loved one or friend.

• Michael Kelly Scholarship Fund
• Donald Murray Visiting Journalist Program

• Donald Murray Endowed Journalism Fund

  We can’t say enough about what Don Murray did for UNH and for the journalism program he founded, not to mention his enormous impact on the teaching of writing around the world. After Don died in December 2006, his daughters generously decided that donations in their father’s name should benefit the UNH journalism program. You can contribute to the Don Murray Endowed Journalism fund to keep the journalism program strong.

Volunteer to Speak to a Journalism Class at UNH

Our students can learn a lot from you and your real-world experiences in the newsroom, boardroom and beyond. If interested, please send an e-mail to Lisa Miller or call her at (603) 862-1313.

Help Connect Us With Other Alumni

Take a moment to scan our Alumni Roster and help us keep in touch with our former students and friends!

Send address and news updates

• tips and Resources for Journalists
• Journalism Alumni