Whether you’re on the front lines of a local protest, pitching new strategies in a crowded boardroom, or coordinating and producing quality content behind the scenes, the world of tomorrow belongs to the storytellers. With two hands-on, interactive degree programs, the School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss gives our students all the tools and resources they need to learn valuable skills and compete for real-world jobs, right now.
Students learn to become critical thinkers, truth-seekers and effective communicators as they gain real-world experience in reporting. Along the way, they develop storytelling skills that can be used in a wide variety of journalism and media careers.
Our graduates have landed jobs with the SEC Network, Apple News, The New York Times, Fox News, MTV, Southern Living, CBS News, Vogue, CNN, ESPN and Elle Decor, and hundreds of local and regional news and sports organizations.
Students in the journalism program can obtain an emphasis in the following:
Sports Journalism (Brand new! Starting in Fall 2023!)
Integrated marketing communications (IMC) teaches students how to strategically use messaging - written, visual, verbal or other means - to persuade and sell. It prepares graduates for multi-faceted careers in corporate communications, public relations, advertising, sales, government, nonprofits and more.
Our graduates work at a variety of companies nationally and internationally, including the PGA Tour, TikTok, Fleishman Hillard, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Anheuser Busch, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Hawks, NBA on Turner TNT, USA TODAY, CNN, ESPN, Elle Decor, and at hospitals, nonprofits, government agencies and even the White House.
Our school offers a variety of specializations for both the Journalism and IMC programs. Specializations will not only enhance your experience here but will allow you to separate yourself from the pack when applying for jobs down the road.
This specialization is for those who are interested in trends, marketing and branding in the fashion industry. You’ll take classes such as Fashion Promotion & Media as well as Fashion Merchandising. You will then be required to choose from Intro to Video Storytelling, Commercial Photography, NYC Internship Experience, a preapproved 3-credit fashion-themed course or a preapproved 3-credit fashion-themed internship.
Courses in the Health Communication specialization focus on the growing field of health communication, with an emphasis on health promotion, behavior change campaigns, and health journalism. You’ll take classes such as Health Communication, Persuasion, and one interdisciplinary course from the society and health minor list.
This specialization gives students experience with the business and publishing aspects of the magazine industry. You’ll take classes such as Magazine Service Journalism, Magazine Service Journalism Publishing, and Strategic Communication Planning (IMC) or Service Journalism Management (Jour).
Media Sales & Mgmt are for those who are interested in learning about advertising techniques in multimedia and media enterprise management. You’ll get to take Media Sales, Media Management and a media sales elective.
Students interested in the PR Specialization will take classes such as Intro to Multimedia Writing (for IMC), Public Relations (Journalism), Public Relations Techniques, and PR Case Problems.
A relatively new option, the Social Media specialization examines how the emergence of social media technologies are discussed, the ethical and legal challenges surrounding these technologies, and how social media affect various aspects of our lives. You’ll take Social Media in Society as well as 6 hrs of SM Emph Courses.
This specialization takes a unique look at collegiate and professional sports, sports media, athlete representation, corporate involvement, and more. Courses required include Foundation of Sports, Sports Promotion, either Sports Media and Reporting, Sports Television Production, or any other sports-themed special topics course in the School of Journalism and New Media, any UM sports-themed course (with prior approval) or a 3-hour sports-themed internship.
Visual Design is for those interested in learning the basics of design software for marketing purposes and applications in print, online, and video, as well as packaging and retail environments. You get to take Visual Communication and then Complete two of the following courses with a passing grade: 3-D Modeling, Motion Graphics, and Designing Interactivity.
In today’s world, effective storytelling is as essential as it is complex. Our students are prepared to navigate a large range of media whether it’s taking photos on other continents to developing promotional campaigns for a client.
"Take advantage of every moment. One of those moments could completely change who you are and you could come out of college a completely different person. Getting involved challenges you, and it could lead you down a path you never would have known about."
-Chloé Dwyer, Development Specialist at The University of Texas
“Journalism 480 really let me grapple with deadlines and got my feet wet with what it is kind of like to work at a news station. Creative Visual Thinking is the class that challenged me the most. Through that class, I’ve learned how to make resumes from scratch, and it’s become a fun hobby."
-DeAndria Turner, TV News Reporter for FOX 61 in Hartford, CT
Interested? Contact Us Today