Wondering whether a degree in journalism and public relations might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Phone: 530-898-4779
Email: jour@csuchico.edu
Join our program to see your stories come to life and your curiosity rewarded. Gain real-world experience by participating in our student-run public relations agency and newspaper. Learn to craft compelling narratives, sharpen your research skills, and pick up work experience that will set you apart.
From developing social media strategies for nonprofits to covering city council meetings, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community. Your skills in writing, research, editing, critical thinking, and visual storytelling are valuable across industries, whether you're passionate about sports, health and wellness, fashion and beauty, entertainment, technology, or event planning.
Training Ground for Tomorrow’s Leaders
Master the skills you need to succeed in the modern media landscape. Learn to work in teams, conduct interviews and research, and write across platforms with courses in data journalism, photojournalism, and public relations strategy. Build a strong foundation in multimedia storytelling, and law and ethics.
Major Options
Our program offers two options. Choose the one that's right for you and become a change agent and storyteller across platforms—from traditional media to social media.
News
As a journalist, you will serve an essential role in a functioning democracy. You will provide accurate, timely, and unbiased information to the public about a wide range of topics, and deliver compelling stories through radio and podcasts, websites and blogs, social media, and video platforms.
Public Relations
Be the voice and face of an organization, brand, movement, or topic. It’s currently the top creative media profession in the US, handling everything from digital content to crisis communications to event management to influencer relations.
A Network of Connections
Given the wide range of skills you can develop, a BA in Journalism and Public Relations can lead to a variety of competitive career opportunities, such as communications specialist, social media manager, or public information officer. In fact, 73% of employers seek candidates with strong writing skills.
Where our alumni work:
- The San Francisco Chronicle
- The Washington Post
- The Boston Globe
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Ubisoft
- Spotify
- San Francisco 49ers
- San Francisco Giants
- FleishmanHillard
“
The internship experience the program provides is going to help you immensely.
An Award-Winning Academic Experience
Tehama Group Communications
Get experience working with paying clients from nonprofit organizations to local businesses in our student-run PR agency. You will help create social media campaigns and craft media pitching for clients like Girls on the Run, Red Hot Metals, and more.
Site Visits
Every semester, our students have the opportunity to travel to New York, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Sacramento to gain a deeper understanding of the world of PR and connect with alumni and other professionals.
The Orion
In our independent student-managed news organization, you will write and edit stories while developing your leadership skills. Build your portfolio and sharpen your reporting prowess while covering city council meetings, attending court hearings, or reviewing the latest concert.
Fast Facts
2005
The Orion
makes the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame
22
times
The Orion has earned a Pacemaker Award in 36 years
Top 100
student publications
in the nation by Associated Collegiate Press
- 2005
The Orion
makes the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame
- 22
times
The Orion has earned a Pacemaker Award in 36 years
- Top 100
student publications
in the nation by Associated Collegiate Press
Collaborate Across Industries
Work with Media, Entertainment and Technology Experience (METX) to create innovative storytelling projects for clients such as Sierra Nevada Brewery, or with the health and human services and agriculture programs if you’re interested in healthcare and agriculture reporting.
Student-Centered Learning Environments
In our program, you will have three spaces to call your own on campus. The Mac lab, the Tehama Group Communications office, and The Orion headquarters are essential to student development.
Discover Stories and More
Chico State TodayRelated Programs
Journalism and Public Relations Department
Wondering whether a degree in journalism and public relations might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Phone: 530-898-4779
Email: jour@csuchico.edu