Overview
Narrative
Northampton's Journalism, Media & Professional Writing Program provides the foundation for a career in the dynamic, digital world of the news media and professional communications in the 21st century. The major prepares students to transfer into a four-year degree program. The program emphasizes practical skills in reporting and writing for print and the web for students with no experience and provides those with some experience an opportunity to enhance their skills.
Students taking the journalism concentration in this major focus on reporting news of interest, relevance and usefulness to the college community, especially its students. This approach stresses "learning by doing," which means students will work in the field covering issues, trends and events at the school, as well as those outside the school that affect the NCC community.
Students taking the business writing concentration will focus on news reporting and writing for publication, but with additional emphasis on skills specific to business communication in a multicultural society.
Graduates with reporting and writing skills and a baccalaureate degree can expect to begin their careers at regional newspapers, web publications or other news outlets, as well as public relations firms, corporate communications offices, or other employers who rely on communications specialists.
Features
Students in the journalism concentration are required to participate in the flagship of the program, The Commuter, the student news operation published online and in print. Students in the business writing concentration are welcome to participate on The Commuter.
Students report on the community, both at the College and in the surrounding area. This practical hands-on approach gives students exposure to situations similar to those that professional journalists encounter every day.
Courses in this program are offered primarily during the day. Contact the Admissions Office at 610.861.5500 for more information.
Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
Journalism concentration:
- Be critically aware of the roles, legal rights and ethical responsibilities of journalists in a multicultural society.
- Demonstrate responsible news judgment that serves the needs of a multicultural audience.
- Demonstrate ability to edit copy for appropriate, correct English and Associated Press (AP) style.
- Demonstrate ability to write interesting headlines and captions fitting an article or photograph.
- Demonstrate ability to gather material and create news content for print and the web.
- Be able to use various narrative techniques in creating news content for print and the web.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic operation of desktop and web publishing tools.
- Be able to use social media, search engine optimization and content aggregation to reach and build an intended audience.
Business Writing concentration:
- Demonstrate ability to use journalistic style to plan and produce copy for a public relations campaign.
- Be critically aware of the roles, legal rights and ethical responsibilities of journalists in a multicultural society.
- Demonstrate responsible news judgment that serves the needs of a multicultural audience.
- Demonstrate ability to edit copy for appropriate, correct English and Associated Press (AP) style.
- Demonstrate ability to write interesting headlines and captions fitting an article or photograph.
- Demonstrate ability to gather material and create news content for print and the web.
- Be able to use various narrative techniques in creating news content for print and the web.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic operation of desktop and web publishing tools.
- Be able to use social media, search engine optimization and content aggregation to reach and build an intended audience.