Journalism

Why study journalism?

The journalism program provides the broad knowledge required of a reporter, writer, or editor to enlighten their communities, facilitate the exchange of ideas and serve as a watchdog to administrations.

  • Students master industry standard Adobe products, digital cameras, WordPress website building and Avid software.
  • Media professionals often speak in journalism classes. 
  • This skill set can be applied to other areas of academic interest — making journalism an ideal secondary major for students working in natural science, government, economics and fine arts.
English major reading

English & Journalism at AU

Course Descriptions

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Latest News

Augustana University will offer science writing as a minor beginning in the fall — adding to the list of interdisciplinary academic programs being developed as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.

Augustana University student Andrew Kronaizl ‘23, of Vermillion, South Dakota, is a journalism and English major. He is interning at South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) in downtown Sioux Falls, where he is reporting, as well as producing radio news stories.

Augustana University student Olivia Bertino ‘23 is a journalism, Spanish, business administration and marketing quadruple major from Omaha, Nebraska. She is interning this summer at Levitt Sioux Falls — part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities through free summer concerts.

Highlights

Journalism

Careers

Graduates of the journalism program can expect to find careers not only in the fields of writing and editing, but in public relations, law, civil service and education.

Hands-On Learning

Journalism majors gain consistent, applicable experience by working for the student newspaper, The Mirror, and the yearbook, The Edda.

Off-campus internships are required for all journalism majors.

Internship opportunities include:

  • Avera or Sanford Health
  • 605 Magazine or Aberdeen Magazine
  • The Argus Leader
  • Dakota News Now and KELO News
  • South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB)
  • Agri-Pulse newsletter

Journalism students also participate in internships organized in the Washington, D.C., semester program that have included USA Today, WRC-TV, Cox News Service and the Coalition on Human Needs.

Journalism students study away in:

  • Barcelona, Spain — focusing on colonialism, identity and modernism with AU faculty
  • Scotland — focusing on its stories and scenes with AU faculty
  • England — focusing on Londinium and Brexit with AU faculty
  • New Zealand — focusing on cultural identity with AU faculty
  • Cuba — focusing on race, gender and revolution with AU faculty

Courses & Organizations

Popular courses range from writing specialties in news, magazines, sports and opinions to technological skills in layout and multimedia.

Students are encouraged to consider a double major in English and journalism because the department works as a unit with many overlapping requirements.

Journalism students often participate in: