Journalism

It’s our birthday! On April 21, 1922, the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted to form the Department of Journalism and to create a four-year journalism degree program. Their decision harnessed the journalistic efforts already on campus and formed the foundation of 100 years of journalism education to follow.

The Department of Journalism and the College of Media, Communication and Information are excited to honor the exceptional work of our students, alumni, faculty and staff over the past 100 years. Over the next year, we want to hear from you, our community, as we remember the past, celebrate the present, and share our dreams for what the next century of journalism can hold.

Visit our centennial celebration website to learn more about the history of journalism education at CU and to share your own story!

 

Welcome to the Department of Journalism. 

When you join our community, you benefit from a century of excellence in journalism education. The Department of Journalism, founded in 1922, was the first of its kind at the University of Colorado. We have built on that 100-year legacy to create a dynamic, innovative program for students of today and tomorrow.

In our classes, you’ll learn real-world reporting skills, like how to gather information, conduct interviews and produce compelling journalism—all while upholding the very highest professional and ethical standards. 

You’ll work across multimedia platforms, developing the skills you need to succeed in the ever-changing media industry. Our students have the opportunity to build professional portfolios of high-quality video, audio, text, photography and graphic work designed for mobile platforms, the web, social media, television, podcasts, radio and print.

In our program, you'll explore cutting-edge, emerging ideas in the field of journalism. Our students think critically about news, information and journalism’s role in a democratic society—analyzing the field in ways that enhance society and their own lives.

Our alumni are among the country’s top journalists and have recently won Pulitzer, Murrow and Peabody awards, among other honors. Many work in outstanding national publications, like The Washington Post, NBC, The New York Times and National Public Radio, and local news outlets, like The Denver Post, The Colorado Sun and Boulder Daily Camera

Here, you’ll join a vibrant community that shares a commitment to the highest ethical and innovative standards of journalism education and research. We hope to see you soon.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Journalism is a craft learned best by doing, so your education will be grounded in hands-on experience. You will learn narrative writing and the latest digital tools in class and put them to use the next day at our media outlets: a state-of-the-art multi-platform Media Innovation Center and The Bold, , CU News Corps, , and news and sports TV broadcasts. Be involved at CMCI →

Our students frequently win Emmy awards and prizes in national student media contests. They intern at local newspapers and news sites, magazines, national broadcast networks, websites and social media companies.

As a journalism student, you will be required to earn a secondary area of study, the equivalent of a minor, in a separate subject area of your choosing, allowing you to specialize in the topics you wish to cover as a journalist.

CMCI in D.C.

Intern and learn in the nation's capital

Challenge yourself, hone your professional skills and explore one of America’s most dynamic cities through CMCI in D.C. You'll complete a customized internship while exploring a new city and discovering yourself.

Spotlight on...

Learn more about borrowable equipment, computer labs, podcast booths and virtual reality.

Spend a semester getting a peek into professional life in our nation’s capital alongside several of your peers, all while earning credits towards graduation.  

The University of Colorado Boulder’s newest student-led media organization, providing high-quality content to the CU Boulder student body and community. 

Through the Center for Environmental Journalism, CMCI seeks to enrich public understanding of environmental issues by elevating the quality, range and depth of coverage by journalists. 

Graduate Programs

The Department of Journalism offers highly respected graduate degrees focusing on both the professional and academic sides of journalism.

Whether you’re interested in learning the skills and tools to be a professional journalist or engaging in rigorous research within the field of journalism studies, our department can help with your pursuits.

  Graduate Program Overview

 

For Prospective Students

Department News

Department & CMCI Events

Journalism Careers

  • Blogger
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Columnist
  • Content producer
  • Corporate communicator
  • Editor
  • Grant writer
  • Multimedia producer
  • News writer
  • Photojournalist
  • Reporter
  • Social media manager
  • Television anchor
  • Videographer

Journalism Alumni

  • Chris Fowler (Jour'85)
    Play-by-play announcer, ABC Saturday Night Football

  • Tom Costello (Jour'87)
    Correspondent, NBC News, Washington

  • John Branch (MJour'96)
    Pulitzer-winning sports writer, The New York Times

  • Joey Maestas (Jour'11)
    Manager of social and digital media strategies
    U.S. Olympic Committee

  • Savannah Sellers (Jour'13)
    Emmy-winning producer, NBC Nightly News

Contact the Department of Journalism

   Email

  Journalism
 front desk (main floor)
1511 University Ave.
University of Colorado Boulder
UCB 478
Boulder, CO 80309-0478

   303-492-5007 

  Visit