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Journalism
By combining evolving media practices with a firm writing foundation, our students cultivate the tools necessary to thrive in today's emerging markets.
Are you ready for the future of journalism?
Journalism students at Simmons stand on the shoulders of our celebrated Communications alum and college namesake, Gwen Ifill '77 '93HD, a pioneering Black woman journalist who broke through barriers of prejudice and stands as a model of professional excellence and a purposeful life. As a Journalism students, You'll actively engage with the challenges of print, multimedia, and social media journalism while gaining understandings of the impact of the media on society and the individual, as well as the strategies and skills to practice responsibly and ethically. Our faculty are seasoned media professionals offering their expertise both within and beyond the classroom, developing projects that show students what the front lines of media really look like, and advising our student run newspaper and award-winning radio station.
You'll hone your skills through internships in Boston and beyond and enter this rapidly changing industry with an impressive portfolio, ready to take on anything.
The communications department offers a program in Communications with concentrations in Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media, a joint program between Communications and the Business in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, a joint program between Communications and Computer Science in Web Design and Development, an Interdisciplinary major in Arts Administration, and three Complete Degree programs, which are entirely on-line and geared toward adult learners. The course requirements for these programs follow.
BA in Communications
Communications majors complete 42 credits in Communications, including 3 required core courses, 2 1-credit technology courses, 4 courses in their concentration, 2 courses outside their concentration, and an independent learning Capstone experience.
Step One: Core Requirements
All Communications students take a three-course introductory core:
COMM121 | Visual Communication | 4 |
COMM122 | Media Writing and Editing | 4 |
COMM124 | Media, Messages and Society | 4 |
Step Two: Technology Courses
All students complete at least two-credits of technology skill-based courses:
COMM110 | Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM112 | Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM114 | Introduction to Audio and Video Editing | 1 |
Step Three: Concentration Courses
Courses are broadly organized around the concentrations of Design, Integrated Media, and Journalism.
Students take 4 courses in one of the concentrations below, and 2 courses distributed among the other two concentrations. At least two of these six courses should be at the 300 level.
Design | Integrated Media | Journalism |
---|---|---|
COMM 210 Introduction to Graphic Design | COMM 120 Communications Media | COMM 181 Public Speaking and Presentation |
COMM 241 Design Thinking | COMM 163 Radio Operations and Podcasting |
COMM 215 Blogging and Op/Ed Writing |
COMM 240 Typography | COMM 186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | COMM 260 Journalism |
COMM 244 Web Design | COMM 224 Storytelling | COMM 263 Social Media Journalism |
COMM 246 Digital Imaging for Design |
COMM 220 Video Production |
COMM 310 In-Depth Storytelling |
COMM 248 Type and Image | COMM 222 Animation | COMM 312 Health Communications |
COMM 286 Advertising Practice and Branding | COMM 262 Media Convergence | COMM 320 Media and the First Amendment |
COMM 333 Responsive Design |
COMM 269 Globalization and Intercultural Communications (periodic travel course) | COMM 322 Video Journalism |
COMM 340 Advanced Design | COMM 281 Content Creation and Strategies |
COMM 327 Culture of the News |
COMM 323 Digital Cultures |
||
COMM 324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics |
Integrated Media Concentration
Students in Integrated Media complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Integrated Media concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Journalism, and a Capstone.
Integrated Media Courses:
COMM120 | Communications Media | 4 |
COMM163 | Radio Operations and Podcasting | 4 |
COMM186 | Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | 4 |
COMM220 | Video Production | 4 |
COMM222 | Animation | 4 |
COMM 224 | Storytelling | 4 |
COMM262 | Media Convergence | 4 |
COMM269 | Globalization and Intercultural Communication | 4 |
COMM281 | Content Creation and Strategy | 4 |
COMM323 | Digital Cultures | 4 |
COMM324 | Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics | 4 |
Journalism Concentration
Students in the Journalism Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Journalism concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Journalism Courses:
COMM181 | Public Speaking and Presentation | 4 |
COMM 215 | Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing | 4 |
COMM260 | Journalism | 4 |
COMM263 | Social Media Journalism | 4 |
COMM310 | In-Depth Storytelling | 4 |
COMM312 | Health Communications | 4 |
COMM320 | Media and the First Amendment | 4 |
COMM322 | Video Journalism | 4 |
COMM327 | Culture of the News | 4 |
Design Concentration
Students in the Design Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Design concentration, 2 courses in Journalism and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Design Concentration Courses:
COMM210 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 4 |
COMM240 | Typography | 4 |
COMM241 | Design Thinking | 4 |
COMM244 | Web Design | 4 |
COMM246 | Digital Imaging for Design | 4 |
COMM248 | Type and Image | 4 |
COMM286 | Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding | 4 |
COMM333 | Responsive Design | 4 |
COMM340 | Advanced Design | 4 |
Internships are a key component of the journalism program. In a cultural center like Boston, there are countless opportunities to build your skills, resume and networking relationships with organizations in the city and beyond. Recent placements include the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe, and the Metro.
Communications at Simmons University
See what it's like to be part of our Communications program.
Our Faculty
Niko Emack
Adjunct Faculty
Erica Moura
Assistant Professor of Practice and Faculty Director of Student-Driven Media
Anne Stuart
Adjunct Faculty
Marcie McClellan Dumolga
Adjunct Faculty
Traci Griffith
Adjunct Faculty
Nick Osborne
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs
Bob White
Professor
Spotlight on Journalism Students and Alums
Trailblazing Reporter Maria Karagianis ’70 Shares the Power of Stories, Rebellion, and Luck
Coming of age in the 1960s and 70s, Maria Karagianis witnessed tumultuous protests. As a staff writer for The Boston Globe, she covered desegregation in Boston, apartheid in South Africa, and Syrian refugees in the Greek islands. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner, a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, and founder of the non-profit organization Discovering Justice.
Simmons Students Revive Boston’s Lost West End
In Fall 2019, a group of 11 Simmons undergraduate students began researching the lost West End. Supported by a “Humanities Research for the Public Good” grant from the Council of Independent Colleges, the students created a series of exhibits, including one for the West End Museum, one on Simmons’ campus, and a digital exhibit.
All She Wrote Books: Elevating the Voices of Female, Queer and Non-Binary Authors
Alumna Christina Ciampa ’08, ‘14MS was constantly searching for stories that reflected her own experience. We caught up with Christina about the inspiration behind All She Wrote Books, a pop-up bookstore that elevates female, queer and non-binary voices.
One of a Rind: Hannah Morrow '09 Makes Cheese Her Business
Hannah tells us how she turned her passion for food and media into a career. Why did you choose to attend Simmons? Simmons was one of the few schools outside New York City I’d discussed with my college counselor. I...
Taylor Paige Nealand '14: Simmons Made Me a Strong Business Woman
We caught up with Taylor about her business, Opt for Epic, and her plans to travel the world. On choosing Simmons I fell in love with Simmons the moment I stepped foot on campus. At the time I didn’t know...
Kallie Gregg '17 Interns at Fine Arts and PR Agency in NYC
Kallie tells us about her unique internship and pursuing a career in her grandfather's footsteps. On pursuing journalism My decision to study journalism is ultimately because of my grandfather. Growing up, he would tell stories about his experience as a...
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