Journalism
College of Liberal Arts
Journalism is the activity of collecting, creating and presenting news and other information in an increasingly diverse world.
San Luis Obispo, California
Our program allows you to hone journalistic skills while developing expertise in areas inside and outside of journalism. You will build a solid foundation focused on writing, multimedia storytelling, law and ethics and the role of media in a diverse society.
Central Coast PRspectives
Central Coast PRspectives is the student-run public relations and brand management division of Mustang Media Group.
The Daily Buzz
The Daily Buzz is an email newsletter distributed to alumni, parents and the campus community.
KCPR Radio Lab
KCPR is a student-run radio station reaching all of San Luis Obispo County on 91.3 FM. In the radio lab, you will produce the music and news shows that broadcast 24/7.
Mustang News
Mustang News publishes in print weekly, online daily and on social media as news breaks.
Mustang News Broadcast
In the Advanced Broadcast Journalism class, you will produce the Mustang News television broadcast that airs on the campus channel and local cable as well as streams online.
The Journalism program offers several concentrations:
News
In the news concentration, you will learn to produce stories for digital, print and broadcast platforms while covering events on campus and in the local community.
Public Relations
In the public relations concentration, you will learn to produce public relations campaigns and content, while working with organizations in the greater San Luis Obispo community.
Media Innovation
This concentration lies at the intersection of journalism, technology and business. Its focus is on telling multimedia stories on multiple platforms (including emerging technologies), understanding audiences, making decisions with analytics, and solving problems responsibly and ethically.
Individualized Course of Study
This concentration consists of a minimum of 20 units, 16 of which must be upper division units. The student selects the courses in consultation with the concentration coordinator and department head and provides written justification for the courses and the way they constitute a cohesive, integrated program of study. The list of courses serves as a contract between the student and the Department.
About the Program
One of the top journalism programs in the country, we will help you learn to use the latest storytelling tools and emerging technologies to serve the needs of a society hungry for credible, reliable and understandable news and information about the critical issues facing our world.
Our hands-on courses and student-run media organization give you many opportunities for real-world projects from producing news content on traditional, social and mobile platforms, to developing public relations and advertising campaigns.
Learn by Doing
Mustang Media Group is an award-winning living laboratory that will allow you to apply your skills while serving the campus community. You will report, write and edit news stories; anchor live news broadcasts; produce weekly sports broadcasts and pre-game shows; develop social media campaigns; write, direct and produce video documentaries; create and host live radio news and interview shows; and work with community clients on public relations campaigns. If you have a media project in mind, our faculty will work with you to make it happen.
Develop Multimedia Content
Produce multimedia stories about critical issues such as the local opioid crisis and submit them for publication in Mustang News.
Our Graduates
Our graduates work in all aspects of news media, communications technology and public relations at major organizations throughout California and around the country like ABC News, ESPN, NBC Universal, National Public Radio, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle; technology firms like Adobe, Oracle and Facebook; and public relations agencies like Edelman and Randle Communications. Many also love the area and stay to work for organizations like The Tribune, KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo County and Cal Poly.