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.
How to apply
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.
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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Pretzels and Prose: BYU Alum Jon Fischer Starts a New Chapter
BYU Communications Alum Jon Fischer Discusses the Nonlinear Path of the Professional World and the Importance of Staying True to Who You Are and What You Love To Do
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Learning and Brand Marketing With Communications Alum Patrick Jones
Advertising Alum Patrick Jones Reflects on His Unexpected Path From Military Life to the World of Marketing Luxury Brands
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McKinnley Matson on Navigating a Career in Communications
BYU Communications Alum McKinnley Matson Shares How She Found Her Passion For a Career in Airline Communications
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BYU Student to Olympic Broadcaster: Todd Harris on Journalism
From Producing News as a Student to Calling the Olympic Games, Brigham Young University Alum Todd Harris Explores His Journalism Career.
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Derek Westra’s Thoughts on Faith, Facts and Fiction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Reputation Manager Derek Westra Speaks Candidly With Communications Students About Faith and Media
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Paige Holland on Developing Voices of Light and Truth
Paige Holland Shares the Importance of Using the Gift of Voice at the Fall 2025 Beckham Lecture
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‘Hold Strong, Hold Fast:’ How BYU Alum Uses Politics And Firefighting to Serve Uganda and Nigeria
BYU Communications Alum Edward Wright’s Career in Geopolitics, Service and Public Safety in Africa
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Rising Voices, Winning Stories: BYU Comms Students Honored in Prestigious Summer 2025 Competitions
BYU Communication Students Earned Top Honors in Journalism, PR, Advertising, and Media Arts on National and International Stages.
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Communications Alumni Spotlight: Tiffany Austin
Join Us in Getting to Know Tiffany Austin, a CFAC Alum Who Graduated in 2005 with a Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications Studies!
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Public Relations Alum Colin Wylie on Sharing the Giving Machine With Columbus, Ohio
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
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
BYU Public Relations Alum Emily Hellewell Shares Her Experience in the Communications Industry
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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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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
COMMS 239 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (9.0 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 August or December, after you have completed the prerequisites with a "B" or better.
4th SEMESTER
COMMS 305 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 306 (sports) or COMMS 308 (news) (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)
Sec. 1-4: News writing
Sec. 5: Sports Media Lab #1
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 (news) or COMMS 386 (sports) (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)
Sec. 1-4: Multimedia writing
Sec. 5: Broadcast production
Sec. 6: Sports Media Lab #3
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)
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
