Our nationally recognized programs will prepare you to become a professional storyteller, communicator, problem-solver, and leader. Within a welcoming community, you’ll learn from dedicated faculty in the classroom while building your skills through immersive, real-world projects in the field. Start your journey with us today.

Bachelors
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Journalism Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Ball State’s bachelor’s degree in journalism provides a comprehensive, hands-on learning environment for mastering the art of storytelling through all types of media: print, video, audio, graphics, social, blogs, apps, and more. Learn more.

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Media Design and Development Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor oF Science

Earning a media design and development major means you'll leave with a command of the necessary processes and skills to create static and interactive story designs and experience in diverse field exercises that ground you in understanding the user experience. Learn more.

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Strategic Communication Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Change your enthusiasm and creativity into a field that brings brand stories to life across TV, radio, the Internet, and social media. Concentrations in advertising, public relations, and sports prepare you for careers in account management, creative development, social media, media relations, event planning, and sports branding. Learn more.

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Teaching Major in Journalism

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Ranked among the best programs in the country, Ball State’s bachelor’s degree in journalism education provides a strong foundation in journalism knowledge combined with practical teaching and advising skills for middle and high school grade levels. Learn more.

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Minor in Digital Media

No matter your career, Ball State’s minor in digital media will prepare you to become an outstanding digital storyteller. This interdisciplinary program teaches the basic theoretical, conceptual, and practical skills needed to build and tell stories in a digital environment. Learn more.

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Minor in Journalistic Storytelling

Open to all majors, Ball State’s minor in journalistic storytelling is the perfect way to enhance your studies in another department with a journalism skill set. This minor will prepare you to create content for print, web, or broadcast media outlets. Learn more.

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Minor in Sports Studies

Enhance your journalism or media major with a sports studies specialization. In addition to grounding you in sports writing and specialty reporting, this minor will equip you to understand sports law, finance, communication, and governance and prepare you for a career in sports broadcasting, sports reporting, or sports sales, promotions, and marketing. Learn more.

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Minor in Strategic Communication

Open to all majors, this minor provides a strong grounding in the fundamentals of strategic communication in both for-profit and not-for-profit settings. Learn more.

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Master's Degree in Journalism

Master of Arts

Whether you’re a working journalist looking to expand your skillset or a recent college graduate aiming to give your career a big boost, Ball State’s graduate program in journalism is the perfect fit. Learn more.

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Master's Degree in Public Relations

Master of Arts

Certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), our master of arts in public relations will position you for success in the exciting, high-demand field of strategic communications. Learn more.

Jen Palilonis

Master's Degree in Emerging Media Design and Development

Master of Arts

With Ball State’s master of arts in emerging media design and development, you’ll learn how to plan, develop, deploy, and test communication designs and storytelling across digital platforms. Learn more.

Journalism License Addition

For current and post-baccalaureate students with a major in a secondary teaching license area outside of journalism (e.g. English education, social studies education, theater education, etc.), this 15-hour program prepares candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Indiana journalism-licensing exam for grades 5-12. Coursework can be completed on campus, online, or a blend of both. Learn more.

Undergraduate Certificate in Extended Reality (XR)

The XR Certificate program is an immersive educational initiative designed to provide students with knowledge and skill sets to practice in the domain of Extended Reality (XR). Encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technology altogether, XR provides a way to merge the real world and digital worlds to provide new ways of understanding, living, working, and playing. Learn More

Graduate Certificate in Literary Journalism

Develop innovative narrative skills that employers demand in the rapidly evolving media environment. Upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in this five-course, online certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in journalism. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications

Perfect for managers, administrators, and other business professionals, this five-course program will help you sharpen your skills in marketing, communications, community affairs, and media relations. You can earn this certificate online, on campus, or a blend of both. Additionally, upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in the certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in public relations. Learn more. 

Graduate Certificate in Emerging Media Design and Development

Receive skills training in areas of interaction design, usability testing, product development project management and innovative storytelling. This low residency program is completed partially face-to-face and online using applied research and cross-disciplinary project work.

Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)

Our Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) in Emerging Media Design and Development and in Public Relations allows you to begin your graduate studies at Ball State while still an undergraduate student saving time and money as you pursue an advanced education in your field of interest.

AMP Program Information