Options for Studying Journalism in Illinois

Hey all, I'm currently a junior and I'm super interested in pursuing journalism in college. I reside in Illinois, and would love to know which colleges around here are recognized for their journalism programs. Your help is much appreciated, thanks!

Hey there! It's awesome that you have a clear career pathway in mind. Journalism is a dynamic and exciting field to study and Illinois is rich in educational choices for this.

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is well-known for having one of the leading journalism programs in the nation with their Medill School of Journalism. They offer an immersive curriculum that incorporates learning in the classroom and in the field. Medill is widely acclaimed for its forward-thinking approach to journalism education and it's honestly a worthy consideration if you aim to study journalism at a high level.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) also offers strong programs in Journalism. It offers a very hands-on curriculum where you will gain a lot of practical experience in reporting, writing, and editing. Additionally, they provide a rich interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating courses from a variety of fields into their journalism major.

DePaul University in Chicago boasts the College of Communication where they offer a journalism major. It's located in the heart of Chicago which provides ample opportunities for internships and experiential learning.

Finally, there's Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), which is known for its School of Journalism and has a long-storied history in offering quality journalism education, focusing on both theoretical and practical journalism.

Immersing yourself in journalism studies can be very worthwhile, especially when it is backed by established programs and supportive faculty. Each of these institutions has a distinct approach, so it might be worth seeing which of these aligns best with your educational aspirations and professional goals. As you make your decision, keep in mind factors such as location, potential internship opportunities, what types of media the programs focus on (e.g., print, digital, broadcast), and whether you'd like a larger university experience or something a bit smaller. Good luck with your search!