Advertising, journalism, and public relations differ in their purposes and goals but are connected by a common core of communication and their evolution into the professions we know them as today. In Ball State’s Department of Journalism, you learn advertising, journalism, and public relations from their foundations in communication to their current respective best practices.

From our national award-winning student publications to our highly regarded professional public relations agency to our successful advertising organization, you are surrounded by opportunities to immediately put into practice what you learn, helping you to enter your first job well prepared with real-world skills.

So, what does that really mean? Classes aren’t just theoretical but highly practical, making them both effective and fun. For example, as a major in our department, you could be rushing to meet a deadline, earning a reputation as a grammar stickler, fishing for the facts, listening for crucial details, connecting with the world visually, building relationships with key publics, chiseling a message into an action-invoking ad, and more.

In and out of the classroom, you will use the latest technology and equipment and be taught, guided, and mentored by a talented and diverse faculty. Our professors have years of both teaching experience and professional experience in one or more of these areas: graphics, news and magazine writing and editing, photojournalism, advertising, public relations, and high school journalism instruction.

By the time you graduate, not only will the Art and Journalism (AJ) Building be your second home, you also will have become intimately familiar with your chosen field and gained valuable self-confidence, which is why we have graduates successfully practicing their craft in a wide range of prominent publications, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and schools.