University of Northern Colorado

What you'll study

This programme builds core journalism skills before moving into specialised investigative techniques. Early modules cover news writing, reporting fundamentals, media law and ethics, and multimedia production (audio, video and digital storytelling). Intermediate and advanced courses introduce investigative methods: public records and Freedom of Information research, data journalism and visualisation, long-form narrative reporting, source development and interview techniques, and court and crime reporting.

• Reporting and Writing: beat reporting, feature writing, concise news copy and explanatory journalism.
• Investigative Methods: records mining, FOIA requests, case building, chain-of-title and financial records analysis.
• Data Journalism: data gathering, cleaning, analysis and visualisation using common tools and spreadsheets.
• Multimedia Storytelling: podcasting, documentary video, interactive web packages and newsroom content management systems.
• Law and Ethics: libel, privacy, newsroom standards, source protection and handling sensitive material.
• Capstone/Practicum: an investigative project or internship with a newsroom, non-profit investigative outlet, or public-service organisation, culminating in publishable work.

Courses emphasise applied work in student newsrooms and collaborative projects with other departments; students are encouraged to produce a portfolio of published stories, multimedia pieces and an investigative project before graduation.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary-school diploma or equivalent. Admissions decisions consider academic records, a personal statement and examples of journalistic work or a writing sample; some applicants are invited to submit a short portfolio showcasing reporting, writing or multimedia projects. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and may receive credit for prior coursework.

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or evidence of previous study in English. Suitable applicants typically show strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in public-service reporting.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in a wide range of news and information organisations. Typical career paths include:

• Investigative reporter for local, regional or national news organisations
• Data journalist or visualisation specialist
• Reporter or producer for radio, podcasting and television investigative units
• Non-profit investigative journalist or research fellow at watchdog organisations
• Fact-checker, reporter for trade and specialised publications, or editor
• Communications roles in government, policy groups or advocacy organisations that require investigative and research skills

Alumni also move into related areas such as documentary production, public records research, legal-communications support and freelance investigative work. The programme emphasises a professional portfolio and internship experience to help graduates transition into the workforce.

Why study at University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado offers a supportive, hands-on learning environment with close faculty mentorship and opportunities to work in student-run newsrooms and multimedia labs. Its location near the Denver media market provides access to internships and professional placements with regional news organisations, public agencies and non-profit outlets.

Students benefit from practical training in both traditional reporting and contemporary investigative tools — such as data analysis and multimedia production — alongside instruction in media law and ethics. The programme’s emphasis on real-world projects and publishable work helps students build a professional portfolio and develop the research skills employers expect in investigative journalism.