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A female Journalism Communication Arts student in the Newsroom.
If you like to write, have a curious nature, and want to work in a fast-paced field, the Journalism and Communication program is for you.  This program will prepare you for a career in print or broadcast journalism, public relations, or corporate communications.

Why Choose NECC?

Mass Transfer - links goes to the Mass Department of Ed Mass Transfer website

By earning an Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts:  Journalism/Communication Option at NECC, you’ll save thousands of dollars on the cost of your bachelor’s degree. You can choose from journalism and communication concentrations and learn what it’s like to work in the communications field. In this program you can:

  • Gain a solid foundation in writing for various purposes and audiences
  • Acquire real-world experience through internships
  • Write for the NECC’s bi-weekly newspaper, the Observer, or Parnassus, the campus literary arts magazine
  • Participate in career workshops
  • Develop your professional skills through networking and mentoring  opportunities with alumni and specialists in the field

Because of NECC

Upon completion of the Journalism/Communication program, you will be prepared to transfer to complete your bachelor’s degree and pursue many career paths.  You can:

  • Take advantage of MassTransfer Pathways and other transfer agreements to earn your bachelor’s degree in a Journalism/Communication field, while saving thousands of dollars on the cost of your degree
  • Seek a career in print or broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising, or corporate communications
  • Work as a reporter, news analyst, editor, program director, or producer, public relations specialist, and more

Quote:

Everything you learn in your classes will have relevance, especially if you transfer. Appreciate the many opportunities you’re getting through NECC and take advantage of them as much as possible.”

Matt Gingras, Journalism/Communication


Program Costs

For the 2024-2025 academic year, non-health for-credit courses have a cost of $263/credit for in-state students.

Career Paths & Job Market

Job Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to work as reporters, news analysts, editors, program directors, producers, public relations specialists, and more. Most jobs require a four-year bachelor degree.

Job Opportunities

Program Pathway

A pathway is the most efficient sequence of courses semester-to-semester recommended for students to complete their degree. View the suggested pathway for Journalism / Communication.

Learning Outcomes

Mission

Mission

The mission of the Liberal Arts: Journalism / Communication Program at Northern Essex Community College is to provide students with a general introduction to journalism, communication, and mass media, and to train them in the skills needed for working in the fields of print journalism, communications, or broadcasting. After completing this program, students are prepared for entry-level positions (not requiring a bachelor’s degree) in journalism, communications, or broadcasting, as well as to transfer into four-year colleges that offer majors in those areas.

Outcomes

Outcomes

Specific to LA: Journalism/Communication Program

  1. Graduating students will develop Media Literacy skills. Students will be able to:
    1. Analyze various media, their origins, convergence and ownership, goals, and methods for relaying information in today’s culture
    2. Recognize the vital role a free press plays in preserving a free society
    3. Recognize threats to journalists and the First Amendment, in particular threats to freedom of the press
  2. Graduating students will develop Reporting and Interviewing skills. Students will be able to:
    1. Gather information accurately and truthfully from various sources
    2. Evaluate the credibility, importance, and relevancy of information
    3. Approach sources and report stories objectively and fairly, without reflecting personal bias
    4. Include different perspectives from a variety of sources to provide balanced reporting
  3. Graduating students will develop Journalistic Writing and Broadcasting skills. Students will be able to:
    1. Write a standard news story incorporating a hard lead, concise news writing, quotes, and proper attribution
    2. Organize a news story using the Inverted Pyramid structure or standard television or radio broadcasting structure
    3. Organize and write (for newspaper or broadcast) a standard feature story
    4. Use AP style
  4. Graduating students will develop Media Law and Ethics skills. Students will be able to:
    1. Follow legal restrictions on libel and intrusion of privacy
    2. Apply the general ethical standard to act responsibly while accurately and fairly informing the public
    3. Avoid situations that pose a conflict of interest
    4. Differentiate between opinion and news in editorial content
    5. Apply appropriate standards of taste to avoid sensationalizing and causing unnecessary harm
    6. Act in the interest of the public by serving as a watchdog of the government and industry

Courses and Requirements

 

Contact

Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Mary Jo Shafer

Coordinator
Journalism/Communication Program
mshafer@necc.mass.edu

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Contact Information

Mary Jo Shafer

Coordinator
Faculty Adviser, NECC Observer
Email: mshafer@necc.mass.edu

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