Journalism and Communication Liberal Arts Degree

Graduates will be prepared to work as reporters, news analysts, editors, program directors, producers, public relations specialists, and more. Most jobs require a four-year bachelor degree.

Job Opportunities

For information regarding career trends, salary, and work settings for Journalism/Communications graduates, please visit:

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Broadcast News Analysts
• Editors
• Reporters and Correspondents
• Radio and Television Announcing
• Public Address System and Other Announcing
• Advertising and Promotions Managers
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Sales Managers
• Writers and Authors
• Media and Communication Workers/All Other

Career Paths

Mission

The mission of the Liberal Arts: Journalism / Communication Program at Northern Essex Community College is to provide students with a general introduction to journalism, communication, and mass media, and to train them in the skills needed for working in the fields of print journalism, communications, or broadcasting. After completing this program, students are prepared for entry-level positions (not requiring a bachelor’s degree) in journalism, communications, or broadcasting, as well as to transfer into four-year colleges that offer majors in those areas.

Outcomes

Specific to LA: Journalism/Communication Program

1. Graduating students will develop Media Literacy skills. Students will be able to:
   1. Analyze various media, their origins, convergence and ownership, goals, and methods for relaying information in today’s culture
   2. Recognize the vital role a free press plays in preserving a free society
   3. Recognize threats to journalists and the First Amendment, in particular threats to freedom of the press
2. Graduating students will develop Reporting and Interviewing skills. Students will be able to:
   1. Gather information accurately and truthfully from various sources
   2. Evaluate the credibility, importance, and relevancy of information
   3. Approach sources and report stories objectively and fairly, without reflecting personal bias
   4. Include different perspectives from a variety of sources to provide balanced reporting
3. Graduating students will develop Journalistic Writing and Broadcasting skills. Students will be able to:
   1. Write a standard news story incorporating a hard lead, concise news writing, quotes, and proper attribution
   2. Organize a news story using the Inverted Pyramid structure or standard television or radio broadcasting structure
   3. Organize and write (for newspaper or broadcast) a standard feature story
   4. Use AP style
4. Graduating students will develop Media Law and Ethics skills. Students will be able to:
   1. Follow legal restrictions on libel and intrusion of privacy
   2. Apply the general ethical standard to act responsibly while accurately and fairly informing the public
   3. Avoid situations that pose a conflict of interest
   4. Differentiate between opinion and news in editorial content
   5. Apply appropriate standards of taste to avoid sensationalizing and causing unnecessary harm
   6. Act in the interest of the public by serving as a watchdog of the government and industry

Program Coordinator

Mary Jo Shafer

Coordinator
Journalism/Communication Program
mshafer@necc.mass.edu

Faculty Contact Information

Mary Jo Shafer

Coordinator
Faculty Adviser, NECC Observer
Email: mshafer@necc.mass.edu