Widener University

What you'll study

This programme combines core journalism skills with specialised training in investigative methods. You will take reporting and newswriting courses alongside modules that emphasise investigation, data analysis and multimedia storytelling. Coursework typically covers:

• Foundations of Reporting and Newswriting – basics of sourcing, interviewing, story structure and clear writing for multiple platforms.
• Investigative Reporting – techniques for long-form inquiries, cultivating sources, developing investigative narratives and project planning.
• Media Law and Ethics – libel and defamation, public records law, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in investigative work.
• Computer-Assisted and Data Journalism – working with public datasets, spreadsheets, data visualisation and basic data-cleaning techniques used to support investigations.
• Multimedia Production – digital storytelling skills including audio reporting, video reporting and web publishing to present investigative work effectively.
• Public Records and Document Research – FOIA/freedom of information requests, court record searches and analysing government documents.
• Feature and Narrative Writing – craft long-form features, profiles and narrative sequences that arise from investigative reporting.
• Practicum / Internship – supervised placements with news organisations, non-profit investigative units, or public-interest newsrooms to gain professional experience.
• Capstone Project – a year-end investigative project or portfolio that demonstrates research, reporting, legal awareness and multimedia presentation.

The degree is delivered through a mixture of lectures, small seminar workshops, supervised lab time in multimedia facilities and field-based reporting assignments. Electives allow exploration of specialised areas such as environmental investigative reporting, public health investigations or political accountability reporting.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school diploma. Admission typically requires submission of:

• Official high-school transcripts showing academic preparation across humanities and social sciences.
• A personal statement explaining interest in journalism and investigative work.
• Examples of journalistic work or a short writing portfolio; applicants without a portfolio may be asked to complete a writing task.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can speak to academic and communication skills.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an accepted test or equivalent academic preparation in English. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and may be evaluated for advanced standing. Specific GPA benchmarks and test-score expectations align with Widener University’s general undergraduate admissions standards.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers across traditional and emerging newsrooms as well as roles in the non-profit, advocacy and public sectors where investigative skills are valued. Common career paths include:

• Investigative reporter for local, regional or national newspapers, magazines and digital news outlets.
• Data journalist or computer-assisted reporting specialist within newsroom teams.
• Broadcast investigative producer or multimedia reporter for radio and television.
• Reporter or researcher for investigative non-profit organisations and watchdog groups.
• Communications or research roles in government oversight bodies, think tanks and public-interest organisations that require rigorous document analysis and reporting.
• Freelance investigative journalist or long-form writer contributing to specialised publications.

The programme’s emphasis on internships and a capstone project helps students build a portfolio and professional contacts for entry into competitive reporting roles.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers a learning environment that emphasises small classes, close faculty mentorship and experiential learning—features that benefit students training for investigative work. The university’s location provides easy access to major media markets and public records sources in nearby cities, making it straightforward to arrange internships and reporting projects.

Faculty bringing professional journalism experience guide students through real-world reporting assignments and ethical dilemmas. Hands-on access to multimedia labs and training in data tools prepares graduates to present investigative findings across platforms. Finally, the programme’s integration of liberal-arts coursework supports the broad contextual knowledge—politics, law, social sciences—necessary for informed, impactful investigative journalism.