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Journalism & Sports Media, B.A.

Program Overview

Through engaging lectures, ample hands-on work, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, students become master storytellers, able to present news and sports information in compelling, accurate, and professional ways. With an emphasis on analytical thinking, effective writing, interviewing, videography, visual design, and content creation, students graduate with the skills needed to find success in this competitive field.

Become A Master Storyteller

As a Journalism & Sports Media student, you’ll receive a foundation in communication theory, media writing, law, and ethics before pursuing a path in traditional journalism or sports media.

Regardless of focus, you’ll have access to top-of-the-line facilities such as the newsroom, where you’ll find everything from a writing space, digital editing tools, and studio sets, to video equipment and automated production equipment. All of this will be yours to use as you cover news and sporting events for The Daily Universe, BYU’s multimedia news and sports platform.
TOP 7%
"Best Colleges for Communications in America" -Niche
85%
School of Communications graduates employed full-time within 1 year of graduation
#20
"2024 Best Colleges in America" -WSJ

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE

Home to our award-winning, student-run multimedia news and sports site, state-of-the-art news production facility, and student-produced magazine, The Daily Universe is where students go to receive hands-on experiences that hone their reporting, writing, and presentation skills.

Student Outcomes

There’s no doubt that graduates of the BYU School of Communications are in demand, with 52% of students having secured employment prior to graduation and 85% employed full-time within one year. From the “Big Three” broadcast networks and professional sports teams, to top news organizations and publishing houses, wherever you want to go, BYU can get you there. Career Services

Alumni & Student Stories

Interested in seeing what our students and graduates have been up to? Take a scroll…
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Public Relations Alum Colin Wylie on Sharing the Giving Machine With Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2025 06:07 PM
With the Help of a Miniature LEGO Replica, Colin Wylie Helps Spread the Word About a New Giving Machine
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Photo Essay: A Look Into Alum Emma Benson's Life as a Journalist

January 14, 2025 02:00 PM
With Features About First Responders, Organ Donors and More, Emma Benson is Using Her Storytelling Skills for Good
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Deseret News VP Emily Hellewell on Problem Solving and Variety in the Field of Communications

December 02, 2024 11:43 AM
BYU Public Relations Alum Emily Hellewell Shares Her Experience in the Communications Industry
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Make Something Wonderful: Homecoming Alumni Speaker Brent Anderson on the Craft of Creativity

October 31, 2024 01:20 PM
In His 2024 Homecoming Alumni Lecture, School of Communications Alum Brent Anderson Shared Insights About Creativity from his Career Experience Working with Apple
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Advertising Alum Brent Anderson on “Harnessing the Unpredictability and Magic of Creativity”

September 06, 2024 01:09 PM
Brent Anderson, an Honored Alumni Speaker for Homecoming Week, Shared More About His Creative Roots
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First Latin American Forum on Journalism and Religion Held at BYU

April 17, 2023 12:19 PM
Journalists From Latin America Join BYU’s School of Communications in a Conversation About Religious Reporting
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Like Father, Like Son: Art Rascon Steps Down as Son Jacob Rascon Steps Up to Fill His Position As News Anchor

February 22, 0022 12:00 AM
Jacob Rascon takes the place of his father Art Rascon after 36 years in the journalism business, looking forward to filling the shoes his father wore so well
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Alumni Profile: Jenny Anderson

February 22, 0022 12:00 AM
Jenny Anderson Advertising, 2018 Senior Account Manager, VMLY&R, New York City
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Alumni Profile: Jerry Miller

February 22, 0022 12:00 AM
Jerry Miller Broadcast Journalism, 1978 Voice of Idaho State Bengals for 39 years
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Notes from the Editor: Journalism & the Church

November 08, 0021 12:00 AM
Meet the editor in chief of the Church News and learn about her vigor for the field of journalism
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Extra! Extra! Read All About the New DU Magazine

October 20, 0021 12:00 AM
65 years after its editorial debut, the Daily Universe is entering a new phase
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TWO COLLEGE ANCHORS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE SAME ANCHOR DESK 12 YEARS LATER

September 05, 0021 12:00 AM
From college to KUTV 2News, these two journalists have come up together through their careers of broadcast journalism
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STUDENT RESOURCES

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Academic Advising

Receive help with class registration, academic planning, and more.
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Bridge Semester

Make sure you're on track to enter the Journalism & Sports Media program.
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Professionalism Policy

Discover how the School of Communications prepares you for the workplace.
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Courses
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
Electives

1st Semester


WRTG 150 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 101 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (5.0 credits)
UNIV 101 (2.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits

2nd Semester


A HTG 100 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 239 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits




3rd SEMESTER


COMMS 300 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 304 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits

Apply to the major in September or January, after you have completed the prerequisites with a "B" or better.

4th SEMESTER


COMMS 305 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 306 or COMMS 308 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 312 (1.5 credits)
COMMS 365 (1.5 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (5.0 credits)
Total Hours 16.0 credits

5th SEMESTER


COMMS 321 (3.0 credits)
COMMS elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0

6th SEMESTER


COMMS 325 or COMMS 386 (3.0 credits)
COMMS elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0


7th SEMESTER


COMMS 490 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0

8th SEMESTER


COMMS 496R (3.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (12.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0

COMMS 301 - Media History and Culture (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)


JOURNALISM & SPORTS MEDIA FACULTY

Kristoffer Boyle

Professor : Associate Director - Undergraduate Studies
Journalism
360B BRMB
801-422-3272
kris_boyle@byu.edu

Ed Carter

Professor: Journalism; Media Law
329 BRMB
801-422-4340
ed_carter@byu.edu

Othello Richards

Assistant Professor : Journalism & Sports Media
303 BRMB
801-422-0450
othello_richards@byu.edu

Miles Romney

Associate Professor : Journalism & Sports Media
304 BRMB
801-422-0868
miles_romney@byu.edu