It enables the student to work in news and public affairs, electronic journalism, and documentaries. The concentration is on the reporting, writing, and production of nonfiction material for broadcasting. U.S. News and World Report, in its annual survey of the nation's universities, recognized the USC broadcast program as one of the outstanding programs in the country. Print journalism prepares students for careers as reporters and editors. They learn newswriting, reporting, and editing skills as well as the techniques of investigative journalism and computer-assisted reporting.
Graduates know how to think critically, write quickly, and report under deadline pressure.
Public relations isn't new, but its focus is changing. While publicity, promotion, public information, and advertising may all play important roles in public relations campaigns, the professional must be an adviser to management. He or she must understand the dynamics of communication and be able to analyze trends, plan programs, and measure results. The public relations program is built on a foundation of strong writing, theories of communication, public relations techniques, opinion research and analysis, problem-solving, and strategic planning. This background prepares students for careers in business and industry as well as the public sector and nonprofit organizations.