Hussman School of Journalism and Media

Introduction

The Hussman School of Journalism and Media was founded as the Department of Journalism in 1924 and became the School of Journalism in 1950. The school has been accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) since 1958.

The school offers a course of study leading to a bachelor of arts in media and journalism or a minor in media and journalism. 

Today, more than 10,000 of the school’s alumni are active in every aspect of media and journalism. They hold high positions with newspapers, international news agencies, magazines, Internet companies, broadcasting companies, and advertising agencies; in public relations, marketing, branding, business journalism, photo and video journalism, and graphic design; and in research, government, education, and industry.

Advising

For students who have been accepted to the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, advising is available year-round by appointment and on a walk-in basis in the Undergraduate Hub in Carroll Hall. See the school's website for details. Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with an advisor. Advising for second majors in the College of Arts and Sciences is available through UNC Advising.

Graduate School

The school offers residential master’s and doctoral degrees in media and communication and an online master’s degree in digital communication. Residential graduate courses are open to graduate students in other fields. For more information about the graduate programs, see the school’s website.

Career Opportunities

The school operates a Career Services office (located in the Undergraduate Hub in Carroll Hall), which is designed to match the right graduating senior (or alumnus or alumna) with the right job. Students in the school are also encouraged to use University Career Services.

Contact Information

Information is available from the Undergraduate Hub in Carroll Hall, from the Dean’s Office in 117 Carroll Hall, or from the associate dean for undergraduate studies. Current and prospective students will also find the school’s website helpful. A weekly newsletter is sent by email to media and journalism majors and predeclared majors during the academic year. Contact the Undergraduate Hub Coordinator to be added to the listserv.

Admission to the School

Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The requirements described in this catalog particularly apply to students admitted to the University during the 2025–2026 academic year.

It is highly recommended that students interested in the school pre-declare their primary major as media and journalism (as early as possible) with a concentration in either advertising/public relations or journalism.

Students typically apply to the school when they attain sophomore standing with a total of 45 or more completed hours and have completed most of the requirements of the General College on the Chapel Hill campus or have earned grades of C or better in equivalent courses at other recognized institutions.

Transfer Admission

Because the University limits the number of transfer students from other institutions, transfer applicants compete for admission to the school on the basis of grade point averages and other academic credentials, and factors including commitment to a career in journalism and media and letters of recommendation. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions makes the final decision on admitting transfer students, in consultation with the school.

Preparation for the Major

Students should take Writing and Reporting (MEJO 153) and Introduction to Digital Storytelling (MEJO 121) by the first semester of their sophomore year. Students who are pursuing advertsing/public relations should also take Principles of Advertising and Public Relations (MEJO 137). The Media Revolution: From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg and Beyond (MEJO 101) is open to first-year students and sophomores who want to explore the major. Many courses require prerequisites and are restricted to majors only.

Majors

• Media and Journalism Major, B.A.

Minor

• Media and Journalism Minor

Graduate Programs

• M.A. in Digital Communication (Online)
• M.A. in Media and Communication
• Ph.D. in Media and Communication

Courses 

• Media and Journalism (MEJO)

Distinguished Professors

Francesca Dillman Carpentier, Kristen Harrison, Daniel Kreiss, Seth Noar, Terence Oliver, Marisa Porto, Raul Reis, C.A. Tuggle.

Professors

 Nori Comello, Patrick D. Davison, Tori Ekstrand, Rhonda Gibson, Suman Lee.

Professors of the Practice

Esther E. Campi, Julie Dixon-Green, Rebecca Fish, Michelle LaRoche, Dana McMahan.

Associate Professors

Debashis Aikat, Shaun Anderson, Lucinda Austin, Spencer Barnes, Andy R. Bechtel, Lois A. Boynton, Meredith D. Clark, Paul F. Cuadros, Lightning Czabovsky, Livis Freeman, Barbara G. Friedman, Chad Heartwood, Joe Bob Hester, Steven King, Allison Lazard, Trevy McDonald, Shannon C. McGregor, Amanda Reid, Laura A. Ruel, Ryan M. Thornburg.

Teaching Professor

Valerie K. Fields.

Assistant Professors

Shelvia Dancy, Lee McGuigan, Erin Siegal McIntyre, Xinyan Zhao.

Teaching Associate Professor

 Gary Kayye.

Teaching Assistant Professors

 Scott Geier, Carl W. Kenney, Nazanin Knudsen.

Professors Emeriti

Penny M. Abernathy, Harry Amana, Richard Beckman, Thomas Bowers, Jane D. Brown, Bill Cloud, Richard R. Cole, Frank Fee, Ferrel Guillory, Anne Johnston, Susan King, Robert Lauterborn, Jock Lauterer, Tom Linden, Cathy L. Packer, Dan Riffe, John Sweeney, Leroy Towns, Jan Yopp, Xinshu Zhao.