2015 Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication Enrollments: Challenges and Opportunities for a Changing and Diversifying Field

Abstract

As with previous years, enrollments in journalism and mass communication programs in the United States have continued to decline. In 2015, such decline among undergraduate student enrollments was particularly prevalent in journalism sequences; in contrast, undergraduate enrollments in strategic communication sequences have seen some growth since 2013. Findings also reveal potential for journalism and mass communication programs regarding the growth and emergence of online degree programs and online course offerings, the development of the competencies and skills desired by employers, and other opportunities for the professional development of today’s practically minded students.

‘I Don’t Like Maths, That’s Why I am in Journalism’: Journalism Student Perceptions and Myths about Data Journalism

“…About 80 per cent were female in comparison with 20 per cent male. This gender breakdown is comparable to the national gender breakdown of most journalism and mass communication programmes in the USA (Becker, Vlad & Simpson, 2014;Gotlieb et al, 2017). Most of the students were undergraduatesjuniors (21%) and seniors (25%).…”

“…The study provides insight into data journalism perceptions of Hispanic and black journalism students. Minority students currently make up 33.7 per cent of communication and journalism programmes nationally (Gotlieb et al, 2017). Having the perspectives and viewpoints from minority students is crucial.…”

“…Previous scholarship has identified that journalism schools are teaching the subject of data journalism (Berret & Phillips, 2016;DeFleur & Davenport, 1993;Gotlieb, McLaughlin & Cummins, 2017;Griffin & Dunwoody, 2016;Lee & Fleming, 1995;Nguyen & Lugo-Ocando, 2016;Yarnall, et al, 2008) and have done so for decades within the context of computer-assisted reporting (Berret & Phillips, 2016;DeFleur & Davenport, 1993;Lee & Fleming, 1995;Parasie & Dagiral, 2013). A recent report (Berret & Phillips, 2016) established that of 113 journalism programmes across the USA, 59 offered a data journalism class.…”

“…Several scholars have cited a lack of formalized education in data journalism that may be due to lack of university resources, economics and student interest/motivation (Berret & Phillips, 2016;Denham, 2003;Griffin & Dunwoody, 2016;Yarnall et al, 2008). Researchers (Gotlieb et al, 2017) identified most undergraduate curricula at several journalism and mass communication schools focus on media ethics, visual storytelling, web production and layout, media literacy, and cross-cultural communication. Data analytics was only identified in 42.4 per cent of programmes surveyed (Gotlieb et al, 2017).…”

“…Researchers (Gotlieb et al, 2017) identified most undergraduate curricula at several journalism and mass communication schools focus on media ethics, visual storytelling, web production and layout, media literacy, and cross-cultural communication. Data analytics was only identified in 42.4 per cent of programmes surveyed (Gotlieb et al, 2017). Less is known about data journalism in the graduate curriculum in mass communication and journalism schools.…”