About

Are you curious as to how to become a journalist? Appalachian State University’s Digital Journalism (BS) degree will teach you how to find and gather information from primary sources and then communicate your research to a specific audience through multi-media storytelling. Students also learn how to be a watchdog for the public as a part of the democratic process. Even if you choose not to work in the news industry, the study of journalism teaches critical thinking skills that are valuable in any job setting.

App State's digital journalism program, housed in the Department of Communication, emphasizes practical experience. For example, in introductory reporting classes students attend and report on local events, interview public officials and cover breaking news. In advanced courses, students fine tune their skills in copy editing and learning industry-standard computer software. All types of writing are taught: news, features, editorials, photo essays and video. Students are encouraged to pursue internships, attend department-wide speaking events by alumni and others, and work for the student newspaper.

After Graduation

Employment: Students who graduate this degree are job ready by the industry’s standards. Employers often look for experience over graduate education when students are first starting their careers.  Employers include:

• National Public Radio
• CNN
• Dow Jones Internship
• Fox 8
• Sky High News
• Construction Data Company
• International Trade Administration
• High Country Home Magazine
• Samaritan’s Purse
• Tampa Bay Times
• The Daily Progress

Graduate school: Students who choose to pursue a graduate education have attended Syracuse University, Indiana University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Alumnus Profile: Moss Brennan '21

  In this Q&A session, the former editor-in-chief of Appalachian State University’s student-run newspaper, The Appalachian, shares some of his experiences at the paper and during internships at The Washington Times.

• 

  Alumna Profile: Lindsay Tigar ’09

  This New York City blogger and freelancer credits Appalachian for teaching her how to multi-task and meet deadlines.

Related Programs

• Communication Studies (BS)
• Advertising (BS)
• Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)
• Public Relations (BS)
• English (BA) - Creative Writing

Minors

A minor is required. Students often choose a minor in Music, English, a foreign language, Media Studies, Communication, or Graphic Communications and Management.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi) - Students involved in SPJ make valuable professional contacts and have access to several professional publications for journalists.
• The Appalachian - This is the university’s newspaper run by students for students. Students can join for experience in the writing, copy editing, leadership, marketing and business sides of the newspaper.
• The Peel Literature and Arts Review - The student literature and arts review is released at the end of fall, while both an online and print edition are released at the end of spring semester.
• AppTV - The department’s cable television station gives students experience in television reporting and production.
• WASU FM - The department’s student-operated alternative rock station gives students experience in radio broadcasting across several departments, including news, sports, production, programming and sales.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of Communication has study abroad opportunities in Poland, Belize and Armenia.

Admission Requirements

A cumulative 2.0 GPA based on earned semester hours at App State is required prior to declaring the Digital Journalism major.