Journalists find, capture, and report news and information. The field has undergone significant change in recent years as the media through which news is disseminated have shifted dramatically. The growth of the internet and the ubiquity of mobile devices has led most readers to consume their news electronically. While print media and conventional broadcasts still exist, viewership and readership has declined noticeably. In turn, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts will drop 9% between 2014 and 2024. It's not all doom and gloom for the field though: positions in web-based news reporting are projected to increase over the same period.Today's journalists must be prepared for the new job responsibilities required in the field. In addition to strong reporting and communication, you'll need to develop a few multimedia skills, like recording, editing, and video production. Journalists should be just as prepared to record and edit a podcast as they are to write a breaking story.If you're thinking about a career in journalism, you might want to consider pursuing an online journalism degree. Online degrees are flexible and convenient for working professionals and traditional students alike. Classes are generally taught asynchronously, allowing you to study and prepare for exams at your own convenience, and the course material you'll encounter in an online degree is identical to what you'd find on campus. If you're interested in journalism, and want to learn more about distance education, be sure to read our guide to online programs in the field.
Online Journalism Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $7,201 | 18.63% | 2 years | $33,750 | $43,500 | 7.7% |
| Bachelor's | $19,769 | 6.82% | 4 years | $43,520 | $53,989 | 6% |
| Master's | $20,567 | 5.69% | 2 years | $42,881 | $58,326 | 4% |
While some journalists can get their foot in the door with an associate degree, most hiring managers in the field want candidates with at least a bachelor's. Pursuing a four-year journalism degree online not only gives you time to learn the craft, but also to build professional relationships that can help you land an internship or introductory position in the field. Furthermore, most bachelor's degree online programs require students to intern at local news or publishing companies where they fact check and write copy, among other tasks.From there, many journalists go on to pursue graduate work that lets them specialize in a particular subfield, and to develop a network of relevant contacts while they're in school. While a graduate degree in journalism isn't for everyone, there are a few benefits for master's holders. More education often leads to better-paying, long term jobs in the field, and the loan default and unemployment rates decrease with each passing degree you obtain.
Online Journalism Degrees
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Online Journalism Choose Your Career
| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts | $37,720 | -9% | 54400 |
| Editors | $56,010 | -5% | 117200 |
| Writers and Authors | $60,250 | 2% | 136500 |
| Technical Writers | $70,240 | 10% | 52000 |