What’s the Best Online Journalism Degree?

Journalism is one of the most popular degree programs among online students. You can get associate’s, bachelor’s, and even master’s degrees in this field online, and once you do, you qualify for jobs such as reporting, magazine writing, professional blogging, publishing, and broadcasting. The quality of your education depends on the school you choose, so it is important to consider your options carefully. With more and more programs coming online every year, distance learning isn’t what it used to be, with just a few selections. Let’s cover some of the most important things to consider if you want the best online journalism degree possible.

Accreditation

Online colleges were once the topic of much speculation when it comes to the quality of your education. Today, there are many legitimate programs that are just as high-quality (if not more so) than traditional classroom programs at brick and mortar campuses. On the other hand, there are also scams that are attempting to cash in on the growing popularity of online degree programs. Diploma mills, for example, will give you a diploma in exchange for your “tuition” payment, even if you don’t actually go to classes, pass tests, or learn anything.

The best way to avoid such programs and other scams is to look for a college that is accredited. Accreditation means that a third party, usually a company or organization that is nationally recognized, has evaluated the program’s diploma or certification requirements to ensure that you’re getting a quality education. Without accreditation, you likely won’t qualify for many grants or scholarships, and your degree may not mean much on your resume after you graduate.

Interaction with Professors and Students

Even if you’re a self-guided learner, it is important to share ideas with others in a classroom setting. At an online college, you won’t find a traditional room filled with chairs and tables, but you will find that many programs have online chats, conference calls, and other interactive “classes” that require students to help one another learn. The best online journalism degree programs will allow you to talk to other students via college-run portals.

Being able to contact your professor is also important. Some online programs are written but never actually taught by a live person. This isn’t an optimal way to learn, since there’s no opportunity to ask questions or get clarification. You don’t want to end up with just a basic grade at the end of the semester, based on standardized tests. In the field of journalism, this is especially important, since your writing skills will guide your career.

Qualified Professors

Who is teaching your classes? Not every online school has professors who are big names in the world of writing, but these professors should be experienced in journalism and in teaching. Not every professor needs a PhD to be qualified, but someone who has little real-world experience in journalism can’t answer your questions with authority or give you tips on finding a job after graduation.

These factors aren’t the only standards you should use to judge an online journalism degree program, but it is a start. “Tour” a number of online colleges because you determine which one is right for you.

Journalism and writing are skills valued not only among news publishers, but in fact across all business careers and many other specialized non-business professions. The ability to communicate one's ideas through the written word is key to any successful career. Below is a list of accredited schools who have online programs that can help you start your career in journalism.

Top Online Journalism Schools

University of Phoenix
AA in Communication
BS in Communication
University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers its communications programs at two degree levels, Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The associate's degree-level communications program develops a foundation for understanding effective exchange of information regarding journalistic news presentations for print, Web, and broadcast media. The bachelor's degree-level program builds on these lessons and helps develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that journalists will use in a career.
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Penn Foster Career School
Freelance Writing
Penn Foster Career School — While not a degree, the Freelance Writing program from Penn Foster Career School nonetheless prepares students for jobs in freelance writing, including blogging, news writing, journalism, fiction writing, editing, and more. Jobs with magazines, newspapers, trade journals, and more are just some of the many types of careers available to freelance writers.
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Walden University
BS in Communication
Walden University — Walden University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in communication that combines communication theory with practical skills. This particular degree focuses on journalistic aspects of new media, including Web publishing, online video, podcasts, Web conferencing, and more.
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Ashford University
BA in Communication Studies
BA in English/Language Arts
Ashford University — Ashford's bachelor's degree program in communication studies is a good fit for anyone pursuing a career in business, communication management, media, journalism, or public policy. Upon completion of this program, graduates are highly valued and sought after in the job market for all of these industries. For individuals who have already completed some college courses or an associate's degree, Ashford allows you to transfer in up to 99 approved credits to accelerate your degree completion. Ashford also offers a similar degree in English/Language Arts that is geared toward individuals interested in more of a liberal arts education.
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Kaplan University
BS in Communication
Advanced Start BS in Comm
Kaplan University — For aspiring journalists seeking a communications degree, Kaplan University offers two such programs, the BS in Communication/Organization Communication and the Advanced Start BS in Communications for students who have already earned an associate's or bachelor's degree.
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University of Massachusetts
Journalism Certificate
University of Massachusetts — UMassOnline offers a Certificate of Journalism that teaches students the reporting, writing, and online research skills they will need to succeed in a job as a journalist. Coursework includes a study of the state of online journalism and the future of information technology.
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Regent University
BA in Communication
Regent University — Students of Regent University's bachelor's in communication degree program study communication in all roles of life and learn to apply their knowledge to emerging technologies of new journalism media, including podcasting, social media, blogs, and more. Being a Christian university, Regent has built a reputation for preparing its students spiritually as well as academically for their careers.
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