二十年代初，传统新闻工作者都是受雇的毕业于相关学士学位的专业人士。可是到了九十年代，随着新闻制作数码化及互联网的普及程度日益上升，传统、专业的新闻文化正在受到挑战。民间记者的概念应运而生，网络上的记者可以透过不同渠道来把自己制作的新闻发放，而不只限于透过专业的媒体渠道。
前华盛顿邮报编辑菲尔·格雷厄姆形容以消息导向的新闻写作是“历史初稿”[1]，因为每当重大历史事件发生时，新闻工作者都把它们记录下来，接着把该些专题报道在短时间内制成，而这与写作历史的初稿无异。
就业状况
职业：广告专员、编辑、图表制作与设计、新闻记者、摄影师、出版商、教师、电视制片人、网页设计员、电视台记者
学生评价
“Most students considering this major don’t realize that they will be required to write, write, write, whether they are in print news, broadcast news, or advertising/public relations.”
Patsy G. Watkins, Associate Professor and Chair, Lemke Department of Journalism, University of Arkansas
Are You Ready To...?
Complete an internship
Study libel laws
Keep up with current events
Learn to be an ace researcher
Learn how to find and interview sources
Sharpen your editing and computer skills
Work on the school newspaper*(3)
It Helps To Be...
A quick study with a keen curiosity who can gather, absorb, and deliver information in the heat of a looming deadline: that’s what journalism is all about.*(3)
课程列表
统计学Statistics
新闻报告与写作Reporting and News Writing
新闻摄影Photojournalism
写作技巧Feature Writing
编辑写作理论Editorial Writing and Methods
编辑Editing
公共政策问题Public Policy Issues
法律与道德Communications Law and Ethics
美国新闻史History of American Journalism
广播新闻Broadcast Journalism
广播电视报道Radio and Television Reporting
调查报告Investigative Reporting
立法政策Legislative Politics
媒体制作Media Production
相关专业
美国研究American Studies
沟通障碍Communication Disorders
咨询辅导Counseling
英语English
电影学Film
历史History
大众传媒Mass Communication
心理学Psychology
广播电视Radio and Television
言语病理学Speech Pathology
技术写作Technical Writing
视觉传媒Visual Communication
