Breadcrumb
Journalism & Mass Communication
Start your media career with Cal Poly Humboldt
Our students are the media makers at Cal Poly Humboldt. They challenge conventions, and learn by doing – creating content to build a portfolio of their work for use in their careers.
Hands-on learning is a key part of our curriculum that focuses on contemporary media issues in race, gender, equity, law and ethics and challenges societal norms and narratives.
Journalism Majors & Minors
Cal Poly Humboldt Journalism & Mass Communication students can pursue a B.A. with three concentration options, or two minors in conjunction with their other studies.
Journalism, B.A.
Designed to prepare students for a career in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, or related fields, the Journalism program provides an understanding of the rights, responsibilities, and role of the mass media as well as contemporary media issues in race, gender, equity, law, and ethics.
Concentrations in: Media Studies, News, Public Relations
Journalism Minors
Journalism Minor: Students gain skills in digital media production and knowledge in media literacy. Students in the minor can experience hands-on learning producing content for our award-winning student media outlets The Lumberjack, El Leñador, Osprey magazine and KRFH radio station.
Spanish Media Minor: Combines Spanish language study with journalistic writing and media experience. This interdisciplinary minor is an excellent choice for anyone interested in pursuing a degree in business, communication, pre-law, or for professional careers in bilingual news media, advertising, and public relations.
Real World Opportunities
Our department is home to three student publications, The Lumberjack, El Leñador and Osprey, as well as the campus radio station, KRFH. Get involved as a writer, editor, graphic designer, DJ or sound editor to develop skills for your future career.
Hands-On Experience
Learn to produce multimedia, podcasts, videos, photos, graphic designs, PR campaigns, web pages, advertisements and more in our hands-on skill-centric courses.
Career Options
The Journalism major prepares students for careers in digital media production, news, public relations, radio, media research and analysis and related fields. As early as freshman year, students get hands-on learning producing content for our award-winning student media outlets The Lumberjack, El Leñador, Osprey magazine and KRFH radio station.
Featured Alumni
Griffin Mancuso, Brad Butterfield, Dezmond Remington
Journalism & Mass Communication
The Lumberjack nabbed three national awards from the Associated Collegiate Press in November. LJ fall editor-in-chief Griffin Mancuso placed second in the nationwide best illustration category. Investigative reporter Brad Butterfield earned an honorable mention as one of the nation's Reporters of the Year. Spring 2024 co-editor Dezmond Remington won a national honorable mention for his column writing.
ACP Individual Awards honor the nation’s best collegiate journalism. There are 53 contests in eight divisions representing the best of the best from Ivy League schools to scrappy state polytechnics in Northern California.
Jessie Cretser-Hartenstein, Gregg J. Gold, Kelli Grace Belt
Journalism & Mass Communication
How can educators help mitigate the decline in journalism studies to support a healthy democracy? Professors Jessie Cretser-Hartenstein and Gregg J. Gold, along with student researcher Kelli Grace Belt, recently published a paper answering this pressing question. Media skepticism may play a role in discouraging CSU students from studying journalism. For journalism majors, their focus on social justice is a key motivating factor. Using these findings, CSU journalism departments can create programs that draw more students to the major. Look for the paper in the newest edition of Journalism and Mass Communication Educator.
Ollie Hancock
Journalism & Mass Communication
Journalism student Ollie Hancock reported on and published two stories with NYT on the recent earthquakes. Following the jolt, they went to Fortuna, Ferndale, and Rio Dell to speak with those impacted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/us/california-earthquake.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/01/us/california-earthquake.html