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Bachelor's

Journalism

Tell stories that matter. Journalism at the College of Media & Communication is built on the fundamentals that have always defined great reporting — accuracy, clarity, fairness — and updated for the multimedia world that today’s journalists actually work in. You’ll learn to report, write, shoot, edit, and produce across print, digital, social, and broadcast platforms. You’ll work alongside award-winning media veterans and graduate to join a profession that recognized Texas Tech journalism alumni with five Pulitzer Prizes.

Great journalism changes the world. It starts here.

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Degree Program

B.A. in Journalism

College

College of Media & Communication

Credit Hours

120 Credits (4 Years)

Alumni Achievement

Five Pulitzer Prize-Winning Graduates

Report. Broadcast. Lead.

Explore the multiplatform curriculum, real newsroom experience, and career outcomes that define a Journalism degree at Texas Tech.

Degree & Course Details

  • Multiplatform Experience

    Every Journalism major studies written, broadcast, online, and social news production — graduating with a multiplatform skill set that today's newsrooms demand.

  • Real Newsrooms. Real Deadlines.

    Anchor the MCTV newscast. Cover Texas Tech sports for The Hub. Report live on KTXT-FM. Use AI responsibly to report on news deserts for West Texas Watchdogs. Journalism students at Texas Tech don't wait for graduation to do real journalism.

    View Student Organizations

  • Customize Your Expertise

    Add a 15-hour concentration in political journalism, sports media, health and science reporting, bilingual journalism, or digital/social media — tailoring your degree to the beat you want to own.

Award-Winning Journalism

Texas Tech Journalism alumni have won five Pulitzer Prizes—the highest honor in American journalism. That's the standard we hold ourselves to, and the legacy you’ll join.

Degree & Course Details

5 Pulitzer Prize Winners

Key Courses

View Degree Courses in Catalog

JOUR 3312 - Reporting

Discussion and practice in interviewing; reporting; and writing various types of stories, including meetings, conventions, accidents, and other general news stories.

  • View in Catalog
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Prerequisite(s): GPA of 2.5; C or higher in JOUR 2310, JOUR 2300, MATH 1300, JCMI 2301, and JCMI 2302; pass the Basics of Writing exam with a grade of 70 or higher.

JOUR 3314 - Broadcast Journalism

Teaches writing and editing news for radio and television.

  • View in Catalog
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Prerequisite(s): GPA of 2.5; C or higher in JOUR 3380; pass the Basics of Writing exam with a grade of 70 or higher.

JOUR 4306 - Sports Journalism

Students will learn the fundamentals of gathering, organizing, evaluating, and writing sports information in an accepted professional style across news media platforms.

  • View in Catalog
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Prerequisite(s): GPA of 2.5; C or higher in JOUR 3380; pass the Basics of Writing exam with a grade of 70 or higher.

JOUR 4371 - Investigative Journalism

Teaches investigative reporting with an emphasis on data journalism. Students learn to systematically uncover underreported social trends and potential wrongdoing by government agencies, corporate entities, or nonprofit organizations.

  • View in Catalog
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Prerequisite(s): GPA of 2.5; C or higher in JOUR 3380; pass the Basics of Writing exam with a grade of 70 or higher.

B.A. to M.A. in Mass Communication

Journalism graduates can continue their studies with the M.A. in Mass Communication or the Ph.D. in Media & Communication—building on their reporting and storytelling foundation with research, media theory, and academic leadership skills.

Media Leadership

From CBS Evening News to the Pulitzer Prize board—Journalism alumni are leading every corner of the media industry.

Scott Pelley

Correspondent, "CBS 60 Minutes"

Tod Robberson '81

B.A. in Journalism

Pulitzer Prize recipient; consulting investigative editor, ESPN

Emily Jones '10

B.A. in Journalism

Former MLB Reporter, Public Speaker, Host

Career Paths & Salary Ranges

Journalism graduates lead in news reporting, broadcasting, editing, sports media, digital content, photojournalism, and media management.

Fund Your Future in Journalism

The college offers scholarships for first-year, transfer, and current Journalism students.

All Scholarships College of Media & Communication Scholarships

Kelsey Lauren Kidd Memorial Scholarship

Merit-based scholarship recognizing academic excellence and professional storytelling potential in the college.

Helen Devitt Jones Scholarship

College-wide scholarship recognizing exceptional academic achievement and leadership.

Scholarship Universe

All students are considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission. Admitted students can find additional internal and external scholarship opportunities through Scholarship Universe.

Find Scholarships

Journalism faculty are working media veterans: reporters, editors, photographers, and producers — who bring real newsroom experience into every class and critique.

Faculty Directory About the Department

  • Melissa Santillana

    Assistant Professor of Journalism

  • Michael Braga

    Assistant Professor of Practice

    Pulitzer Prize, Investigative Journalism

  • Sarah Self-Walbrick

    Lecturer

    Former News Director, Texas Tech Public Media

  • Lucinda Holt

    Assistant Professor of Practice

    Freelance Correspondent, New York Times

Student Organizations

Develop practical journalism skills through real-world projects and industry interactions.

  • The Daily Toreador — Student Newspaper

    The Daily Toreador is a fully operational independent student newspaper. Journalism students report, edit, photograph, and publish real news for a real audience. It’s the most direct path to a journalism portfolio at Texas Tech, and it’s available from your first semester.

    Read The Daily Toreador

  • Media & Communication TV

    Media & Communication TV (MCTV) is the student-produced television newscast of the College of Media & Communication. Journalism students anchor, produce, write, shoot, and edit every broadcast, building an on-camera reel and broadcast production skills that set them apart in the TV news job market.

  • West Texas Watchdogs

    West Texas Watchdogs is a revolutionary news service for news deserts in rural areas of the Texas Panhandle that uses computer programming to gather information from 45 Texas counties. The information is then crafted into articles by both artificial intelligence and our student reporters here at Texas Tech, who also fact-check the stories. West Texas Watchdogs provides news content free of charge to community journalists in the region, ensuring that freedom and democracy are protected in West Texas and the Panhandle.

    West Texas Watchdogs

  • KTXT-FM 88.1 — The Raider

    Lubbock's only alternative music station is student-run and student-led. For Journalism students interested in audio and radio journalism, KTXT offers news, sports, and production experience in paid positions, volunteer roles, or for academic practicum credit.

    KTXT-FM 88.1

  • Society of Professional Journalists

    Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is the nation’s largest journalism organization, and Texas Tech has its own chapter. Members network with working journalists, attend regional and national conferences, compete in SPJ contests, and connect with the professional community that values Texas Tech’s journalism tradition.

    SPJ

  • Kappa Tau Alpha — Journalism Honor Society

    Kappa Tau Alpha is the national journalism and mass communication honor society. Texas Tech’s chapter recognizes top-performing Journalism students, adding a credential that stands out on every resume and graduate school application.

    Kappa Tau Alpha

Journalism Minor

A 21-hour Journalism minor brings storytelling fundamentals to any major — ideal for students in political science, pre-law, public health, or any field where communication matters.

Learn More About Minors

Sports Media Undergraduate Certificate

Journalism students pursuing sports media careers can add the Sports Media certificate, earning practicum credit through RaiderVision, KTXT Sports, The Hub, or West Texas Watchdogs.

Learn More About Certificates

Creative Media Industries

Journalism and Creative Media Industries (CMI) share a department and a commitment to storytelling. For students who want to add film, photography, or digital production to their journalism toolkit, CMI is the natural extension.

Learn More About Creative Media Industries

Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management

PR & Strategic Communication Management complements Journalism for students interested in the organizational side of media — brand communications, crisis management, and strategic storytelling.

Learn More About Public Relations & Strategic Communication

Advertising

Students who love media but are drawn to the commercial and creative side of communication may find Advertising a natural companion major or minor alongside Journalism.

Learn More About Advertising

Commercial and Editorial Photography Minor

Provides students with comprehensive training in the technical and creative aspects of photographic practice. Develops professional-level photography skills to complement their major field of study or to pursue photography as a serious creative endeavor.

Learn More About The Commercial and Editorial Photography Minor

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Reach out to our team to learn more about the incredible opportunities at Texas Tech.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is print journalism dead? Why study journalism in the digital age?

Journalism itself has never been more important— only the platforms have changed. Texas Tech Journalism prepares you to be an entrepreneurial journalist, creating solutions for the industry and being your own boss. You get journalism skills for online, print, digital, broadcast, and social media simultaneously, so you're ready for whatever the industry looks like when you graduate.

What is a journalism concentration, and are they required?

Yes. Every Journalism major adds a 15-hour interdisciplinary concentration or minor to build expertise in a specific subject area. Options include political journalism, sports media, health & science reporting, bilingual journalism, and more.

Will I do real journalism before I graduate?

Reporting begins in your first semester. Journalism students report for The Daily Toreador, anchor MCTV newscasts, cover Texas Tech Athletics on KTXT-FM Sports, and publish feature stories through West Texas Watchdogs and The Hub — all before graduation.

What careers do Journalism graduates pursue?

Our alumni work as reporters, TV news anchors, producers, editors, photojournalists, broadcast journalists, digital content managers, and media executives — including a CBS Evening News anchor and five Pulitzer Prize winners.

Can I focus on sports journalism or broadcast journalism specifically?

Yes. The Sports Media concentration and the Sports Media undergraduate certificate are both designed for students targeting sports journalism and sports broadcasting careers. Or, get involved in RaiderVision, the official broadcast production unit for Texas Tech Athletics.

Who is my advisor for the Journalism program?

Don Ellis
Advisor

Miglena Sternadori
Department Chair
806-834-8496

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