Seattle University

What you'll study

The curriculum builds from core journalism skills to specialised investigative methods. Early modules focus on news writing, reporting fundamentals, multimedia production (audio, video and online), and media law and ethics grounded in the university's Jesuit commitment to social justice and public service. Later, students take investigative-specific courses such as data journalism and statistics for reporters, public records and freedom-of-information law, source development and protection, long-form and narrative non-fiction reporting, and investigative project planning.

• Reporting and Writing: beat reporting, concise news writing, interview techniques.
• Multimedia Journalism: audio storytelling, video reporting, digital publishing.
• Investigative Methods: document analysis, court and public-records research, Freedom of Information requests.
• Data Journalism: data collection, cleaning, basic analysis and visualisation for reporters.
• Media Law & Ethics: libel, privacy, newsroom decision-making and ethical frameworks for public-interest reporting.
• Capstone/Practicum: semester-long investigative project or internship with a newsroom, nonprofit or public agency.

Learning structure

Teaching combines seminars, lab-based practical sessions and supervised fieldwork. Students produce publishable work for campus outlets and regional media, complete a substantial investigative capstone and are encouraged to undertake internships in Seattle’s diverse media ecosystem.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school qualification for undergraduate entry. Typical academic expectations include a solid overall record with particular strength in English or equivalent language subjects. The programme welcomes students with varied backgrounds; prospective students with prior media experience or a portfolio of written, audio or video work are encouraged to submit samples to support their application.

• Recognised high-school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in English; formal language-test evidence may be required for non-native speakers.
• Recommended: a short portfolio of writing or multimedia work, and a personal statement describing journalistic interests—particularly investigative or public-interest topics.
• Some places may prefer evidence of critical thinking and quantitative readiness for data journalism modules.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in newsrooms, nonprofit investigative organisations and public-interest reporting units. Common entry-level positions include investigative reporter, general assignment reporter, data journalist, multimedia producer, fact-checker and research analyst. Over time, alumni move into senior reporter and editor roles, investigative producer positions for broadcast and podcasting, and leadership posts in accountability journalism at local and national outlets.

Skills learned in the programme—investigative technique, data literacy, public-records work and ethical decision-making—also transfer to related careers in communications for NGOs, policy research, legal support roles that involve public-records analysis, documentary production and postgraduate study in journalism or law.

Why study at Seattle University

Seattle University combines a liberal-arts foundation and a Jesuit mission emphasising ethics and social justice, which informs its approach to investigative reporting. The university’s urban location in Seattle gives students ready access to a large and active media market, regional newsrooms, public radio and investigative nonprofits for internships and collaborative projects. Small class sizes allow for close mentorship from practising journalists and faculty, and students frequently publish work through campus media and partner outlets as part of their coursework.

The programme’s emphasis on hands-on learning, data and multimedia skills, plus a sustained capstone investigative project, prepares students to conduct rigorous, accountable reporting that serves communities and holds power to account.