Date of Graduation

12-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Journalism (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Journalism

Advisor/Mentor

Larry Foley

Committee Member

Rob Wells

Second Committee Member

Robyn Starling Ledbetter

Keywords

broadcast journalism, job, journalism education, newsroom convergence, television news

Abstract

This study aims to examine the current state of broadcast journalism education at the college level. It will also ask if college broadcast journalism students are receiving sufficient education and experience in their university newsrooms to get a job after graduation. The study surveyed professional television news directors from the 210 Designated Market Areas (DMA) in the United States. Most respondents agreed to some extent that converged college newsrooms better prepare students for a job as prior research suggested. However, it does not appear that those same applicants would be preferred over ones with traditional broadcast journalism education. The survey results did not show that students graduating from journalism school are perceived as highly skilled in the job functions of the profession. Few responding television news directors rated graduates as extremely good or moderately good at the skills in question. Writing and copy-editing abilities were among the most poorly ranked and indicate areas deserving of more attention from journalism educators. The findings suggest, though, that a broadcast degree is worth it for journalism students seeking a job in television as responses were less favorable for graduates without one. Even further, being more qualified or having converged journalism experience does not necessarily mean a higher salary or an increased chance for a promotion or managerial position.

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