Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational journalism training with specialised investigative methods. You will complete core courses in reporting and writing, news editing, media law and ethics, and multimedia storytelling, alongside dedicated investigative modules that cover public-records research, data journalism, source development and long-form narrative techniques.

• Foundations: Introductory reporting and writing, journalism ethics, media law, and newsroom workflow.
• Investigative skills: Courses on investigative reporting techniques, public-records and freedom-of-information requests, interviewing and source protection, and multi-part investigative projects.
• Data and digital methods: Data journalism, database investigation, visualisation basics, and digital verification for social media and online sources.
• Multimedia production: Multimedia storytelling, photojournalism basics, audio and video reporting for broadcast and web, and building a professional portfolio.
• Practice and capstone: Supervised newsroom practicum or internship and a senior capstone or investigative project designed to produce publishable work.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider academic records, a personal statement and a writing sample or portfolio that demonstrates reporting, critical thinking and communication skills. Some applicants may be asked for references. Standardised test requirements, if any, follow the university’s general undergraduate admissions policies.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers in a broad range of newsrooms and media organisations where investigative skills are prized. Typical early-career roles include investigative reporter, general assignment reporter, data journalist, multimedia producer, fact-checker and editorial assistant. With experience, alumni move into senior investigative correspondent roles, specialised data or enterprise desks, editorial leadership, non-profit and watchdog journalism, documentary production and news partnerships with public-interest organisations. Skills gained also transfer to related fields such as communications, research, public policy analysis and legal support roles that require strong research and storytelling abilities.

Why study at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

MTSU offers a practical, hands-on journalism education with opportunities to report, produce and publish while studying. The university’s location near a major media market provides access to internships, regional news organisations and cultural resources, helping students build professional networks. Instruction is delivered by faculty with industry experience and the programme emphasises applied learning through newsroom labs, internships and a senior capstone project that mirrors real-world investigative work. Students leave with a portfolio of work and the technical and ethical training needed for accountable, impact-driven journalism.