Multimedia Journalism Major
A multimedia journalism major prepares you for careers in the rapidly changing media landscape. You'll learn about publishing news across various media platforms, ranging from newspapers and magazines to television and the Web.
34% OF COMMUNICATION STUDENTS MAJOR IN MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM
$1 million
INVESTED IN DIGITAL STUDIO
3
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION CAMERAS IN THE DIGITAL NEWSROOM
36
Dedicated faculty members
Total Credit Hours: 120
Multimedia Journalism Courses
(46 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Electives, Minor, Concentration
(29 hours)
What You'll Study
Requirements for the multimedia journalism major include:
- 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, including Virginia Tech's Pathways
- 46 credits in multimedia journalism, including:
- Multimedia Reporting
- Digital Newsroom
- Communication Law
- The remaining major requirements are completed through 38 hours in electives including 18 credits in a minor, cognate, or double major.
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What Is a Major in Multimedia Journalism?
You'll take courses in media history, law, and ethics that will give you a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing field of news media. For class assignments, you'll create real news products to develop your skills in interviewing, writing, photography, and digital video production.
Why Study Multimedia Journalism Here?
Our state-of-the-art production studio will give you hands-on experience that will prepare you for careers in broadcast journalism and digital production. Our Multimedia Center will give you the experience you need for the field by using equipment that top news stations use. You will gain the knowledge needed to write and produce news stories through our hands-on courses. The analytical and critical thinking skills you'll gain will serve you in all types of communication positions.
Beyond the Classroom
Our multi-million-dollar Multimedia Center gives students the ability to run their own TV and video production studio. Using the same equipment found in professional top-50 newsrooms, classmates do their own reporting, write copy, control audio and cameras, anchor news programs, edit footage, and prepare everything for publication on their own news website.
Many assignments for multimedia journalism majors involve creating real news products you can publish immediately. You'll get opportunities to practice your craft, from hands-on courses like Media Writing or Digital Newsroom to part-time jobs like writing or broadcast positions with the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, the student-run college media organization.
Our faculty have a good mix of experienced industry professionals and academic scholars. Whether your interests are in a career as a communications practitioner or going on to get a Ph.D., we have a mentor for you.
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Get Experience
By working in the field, you'll earn job experience and learn more about communication in the workplace. You will have the opportunity to explore potential career paths and network with journalism professionals.
To practice your communication knowledge and skills, we offer many student organizations. Join Lambda Pi Eta the National Communication Association, the Public Relations Student Society of America, or the Society of Professional Journalists. Our students also gain experience through the student newspaper, Collegiate Times, radio, WUVT, or television station, WVTV.
What Our Students Are Saying
“For students who want a hands-on learning experience and classes that they will really want to go to, multimedia journalism/communication is definitely the right choice. Being a communication major helped make this 30,000-plus-student school feel like a small community.”
- Sarah Sweeten, '15
“While I plan on pursuing a career in print journalism, I also feel like I have a really strong background in broadcast journalism. It's helped me think more digitally as a leader for the Collegiate Times and incorporate broadcast and digital platforms with the newspaper.”
- Cameron Austin, '15, former editor of Virginia Tech's student-run newspaper
"What I loved the most about being a multimedia journalism major was working in the state-of-the-art television studio and control room in the Moss Arts Center. I not only looked forward to going to class every day, but also felt that the skills I gained gave me the confidence to pursue a career in television production."
- Gillian Hurtt, '16
"The Multimedia Journalism department gives students great opportunities with the multi-million dollar media center, but the best thing about this department are the professors that are there to support you every step of the way. I am very thankful for the connections and experiences I was able to receive while earning my Multimedia Journalism degree."
Nolan Nichols, '14
Careers and Further Study
Hoda Kotb, '86
Hoda, an award-winning journalist, is a co-anchor on NBC’s “Today” show and co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager for the fourth hour. She is also a former news anchor for “Dateline NBC.”
Gillian Hurtt, '16
Gillian worked as a production intern at WSLS 10, a media and communications intern at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, and a sports broadcasting intern with IMG College. She also served as sports director of Virginia Tech Television and as a video producer for the College. Gillian is now a production assistant at WHAG-TV in Maryland.
Cameron Austin, '14
Cameron is a marketing associate at Compass Real Estate in Washington DC, where she works closely with luxury real estate agents on advertising and social media. Prior to that, she was a journalist at the Roanoke Times. While at Virginia Tech, she worked for the Collegiate Times where she served in several positions, including editor-in-chief.
Nolan Nichols, '14
Nolan is currently the Associate Director of Production at HokieVision after beginning as a freshman intern. He covers Virginia Tech Athletics and oversees the live productions on ESPN's Digital Platforms that occur on-campus. In addition, Nichols stays up-to-date in the media industry and has traveled to the operations of Turner Sports, ESPN, Good Morning America, Fox News, and CNN. He also has experience doing on-camera reporting.
Rachel Thompson, '15
Rachel is a producer at Action News Jax in Jacksonville, Florida. Previously, she was an Associate Producer at WMAR in Baltimore and WDBJ7 in Roanoke. Rachel truly started to grow as a journalist when she joined VTTV her freshman year of college. She held many positions, including anchor, reporter, and General Manager.
Rebecca Choate, '18
Rebecca majored in multimedia journalism with a minor in political science. She was the multimedia editor of the Collegiate Times and a lead anchor for Virginia Tech Television (VTTV). After two broadcast internships in Hagerstown, Md. and Roanoke, Va., Rebecca's love of journalism and politics came to a head at her internship with NBC Washington's political unit where she was was awarded her first byline on nbcnews.com. You can watch Rebecca on WDVM news covering the Northern Virginia region in Chantilly, Va.
Tamara Brown, '15
While studying multimedia journalism, Tamara completed internships at Wavy TV-10, the Washington Redskins, and WSLS 10 Sports. After graduating, she was a sideline reporter and digital media specialist for Fighting Irish Media at the University of Notre Dame. She reported on ACC Network Extra Games, co-hosted shows and in-stadium events, and produced social media during sporting events for all 26 sports teams at the university. Tamara is currently the team reporter and producer for the New England Patriots.
Bobby Trono, '21
While studying multimedia journalism and marketing, Bobby worked as a producer for Virginia Tech Television, where he held filming sessions, edited videos, and crafted show content. He studied abroad in Lugano, Switzerland and held internships with MtoM Consulting, Lockheed Martin, and Ecosystems in communications roles. Bobby is completing a master’s in Communication Management with a focus in Marketing and Entertainment at the University of Southern California.
Nathan Brennan, '20
Nathan graduated with a double major in multimedia journalism and finance. After making connections as a Hokie Undergraduate Group Leader and working with professors, he became an on-air producer with ESPN Radio in Blacksburg. Nathan gained confidence to speak-on air through this opportunity and his coursework. He now works as a Television Reporter for 10/11 News.
Tyler Harris, '22
Tyler had many internship experiences while at Virginia Tech, including working as a communications intern for the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, as a Hokie Undergraduate (HUG) Leader, as a sports camp counselor for Blacksburg Parks and Recreation, and as a program assistant for the ACC Network. Tyler will be working as an environmental educator at the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center in South Carolina.
Madison Storm, '21
Madison graduated Summa Cum Laude while also gaining experience in her field. She managed social media for the Hanggliding Club for two years and completed various internships, including a marketing internship with Kitty Hawk Kites and Moss Arts Center. Madison is working as a health editor for U.S. News & World Report while also completing her Master’s in Communication with a health concentration from John’s Hopkins University.
Darrell Grant, '21
As an undergraduate, Darrell interned with HokieVision. After graduation, Darrell started an internship with the Atlanta Falcons that lasted throughout the NFL season that involved filming and editing content for the Falcons. In January of this year, he accepted a position with the University of Houston to become their Director of Creative Video for their football team.
What do I do with a multimedia journalism major?
Our graduates go on to careers in a variety of fields, working everywhere from small online publications they start themselves to national broadcast networks.
Some of the common jobs our students earn include:
- Broadcast journalist
- Reporter
- Sports writer
- TV anchor
- Communication director
- Marketing coordinator
- Editor
- Digital marketing specialist
- Content specialist
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