Our digital media and journalism degree prepares you for a career in digital media production, broadcast journalism, sports media, or as a media business professional.
Our digital media and journalism degree prepares you for a career in digital media production, broadcast journalism, sports media, or as a media business professional. Using a combination of real-world and classroom experience, you build a strong portfolio through internships and by working in one or more of our media-oriented student firms:
The Agency: A school wide firm, where you create media content for profit and non-profit organizations
The Studio: A production company that develops TV shows and web series for our student-run television network (STN) and other clients
The Newsroom: A media outlet for you to write and publish online news content about the University and the Hartford area
UH Hawks Production: A mobile broadcast studio, where you produce live University sports programming for streaming services.
Degree Requirements
A total of 36 credits is required. You must complete core communication courses, a writing course, and a student firm or internship course. You also complete 12 to 18 credits in your chosen area of emphasis.
Digital Media and Journalism Core Courses
You must complete six core courses in the Digital Media and Journalism program. Examples include:
Communication and Media in the Digital Age
Introduction to Media Production
Introduction to Media; Industries, Content, and Audiences
Media Literacy
In addition, you are required to get hands-on experience through one of the following student firms or an internship with an outside organization:
The Agency
UH Hawk Productions
The Newsroom
The Studio
For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Digital Media Production Emphasis Core Courses
Examples of courses include:
Introduction to Radio and Audio
Introduction to Television Production
Introduction to Multimedia
Non-linear Editing
Video Field Production
For more information, and to see a complete list of requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Journalism and Sports Media Emphasis Core Courses
Examples of courses include:
Digital Productions for News and Sports
Sports Broadcasting
Online Journalism
News Reporting
For more information, and to see a complete list of requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Media Studies Emphasis Core Courses
Examples of courses include:
Making Sense of Social Media
Research Methods in Communication
Media Marketing and Promotion
Women and the Media
For more information, and to see a complete list of requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Minor Requirements
A total of 18 credits is required for the minor in Digital Media and Journalism including the core course Introduction to Media: Industries, Content and Audiences.
In addition, two of the following courses are required:
Media Literacy
Introduction to Digital Media Production
Fundamentals of Journalism
You also select three electives, with at least one course at the 400-level. Courses include:
Digital Productions for News and Sports
Media Marketing and Promotion
News Reporting
International Communication
Media Industries: Ethics, Politics, Economics
For more information, and to see a complete list of minor requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Learning Outcomes
Digital Media and Journalism students will be able to demonstrate:
A professional level of writing standards for print and broadcast organizations such as the Associated Press
Professional level video production
Delivery of information across multiple platforms
An understanding of the changing media landscape
Critical thinking
The ability to collaboratively produce content
The ability to reflectively critique one’s own work
Areas of Emphasis
Journalism and Sports Media
Prepare for a successful career as a broadcast news anchor, reporter, editor, or online journalists. Learn how to tell news stories and report on sporting events through the use of multiple media platforms. Our faculty are working industry professionals and are skilled in writing engaging content for online and broadcast media.
Digital Media Production
Prepare for a career in news, entertainment, and sports programming production. You receive intensive mentoring from faculty, who are industry professionals. Plus, our class sizes are small so you will get lots of hands-on experience and access to equipment and relevant software for production.
Media Studies
Prepare for a career as a media industry leader at broadcast companies, advertising agencies, marketing firms, and nonprofit organizations. You gain an understanding of the changing media landscape, and identify opportunities that arise from rapidly changing technologies.
Accelerated MA in Communication Program
The School of Communication also offers an Accelerated MA in Communication that allows a high-performing undergraduate student to earn up to 9 credits that will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Typical application occurs spring of your Junior year, so that if accepted, you may register for graduate classes in the fall of your Senior year. Contact Associate Professor and Program Director Kristin Comeforo for more information.
Ryan Kelsey '21, Derek Bennett '22
Digital Media and Journalism ,
Experience gained both in and outside of the classroom has helped two recent graduates of UHart’s School of Communication land production assistant positions at ESPN’s SportsCenter program. Ryan Kelsey joined the sports broadcasting giant in fall 2021, and Derek Bennett was hired in August shortly after graduation.
Bennett says he gained valuable experience as the sports director of the student-run television network STN2 during his last two years at UHart. Kelsey says one of the many ways that UHart faculty helped prepare him for his career was by teaching him about the different forms of media and encouraging him to become a well-rounded student.
The School of Communication helped me learn not only about television and live production, but also taught me about radio and podcasting, digital and online media, and the fundamentals and ethics of journalism.
Ryan Kelsey '21
Chad Charette
Digital Media and Journalism , '22
Chad started working as a multimedia journalist for WWNY in Watertown, New York, immediately after graduation, thanks to his involvement in the School of Communication’s student-run television station STN. Chad says he gained a “massive” amount of experience by working as a reporter for STN, where he was able to connect with and interview leaders throughout the greater Hartford area.
Chad highly recommends that students get involved in STN if they are interested in a media career.
Work with new technology and collaborate with faculty on professional sets. There are opportunities to present at film festivals, study a semester abroad, and get additional experience through an internship at a production company in Connecticut, New York, or Boston.
In the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program, you create advertising, public relations, and social media campaigns for real clients, all while learning how to effectively communicate with different target audiences.
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