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Journalism Concentration

A Real-World, Hands-On Journalism Concentration, 90 Minutes North of New York City

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Why study Journalism at Marist University?

The Journalism program at Marist University prepares students to produce content across print, broadcast, and digital platforms through hands-on reporting and storytelling. Students gain experience creating and publishing work through student-run media and applied coursework. Through internships and competitions, students develop real-world experience and professional portfolios. The program emphasizes ethical storytelling, critical analysis, and communication in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Program Distinctions

Top-Ranked Program

Marist's School of Communication and the Arts is ranked among the top 25% of colleges for communications in the United States (Niche).

Hands-On Reporting

Hands-on storytelling and reporting through student-run media outlets, including MCTV (television station), The Circle (student newspaper), and WMAR (radio station), producing content across print, broadcast, and digital platforms 

Develop Storytelling Skills

Opportunities to develop skills in writing, editing, and multimedia storytelling through applied coursework faculty mentorship, and participation in national and international competitions

Build Your Portfolio

Develop a professional portfolios through internships, student media, and real-world experiences

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What Classes are Required for a Journalism Concentration?

At Marist, the Journalism concentration includes coursework in news writing, editing, media law, and multimedia storytelling. Beyond the fundamentals, students develop skills in research, reporting, ethical decision-making, public presentation, and visual communication. Courses within the concentration include:

  • Layout and Design
  • Producing the Newscast
  • Photojournalism
  • Press in America
View Full Curriculum
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How to Get Journalism Experience as a College Student?

College students can gain journalism experience through internships, student media organizations, campus publications, and professional networking opportunities. At Marist University, journalism students build hands-on experience by contributing to the student newspaper, The Marist Circle; participating in the Society of Professional Journalists; completing internships; and working with the Marist Poll, Marist's survey and polling research center. Only 90 minutes away from both New York City and Albany, NY, students have access to the journalistic epicenters of the world and gain real-world reporting and newsroom experience before graduation.

Industry-Experienced Communication Faculty

On top of a thorough theoretical foundation in communications, all of our faculty come to us with years of industry experience. This allows our Communication students to learn first-hand about their future careers and gain important connections to major institutions in their fields. View all Communication faculty >

Jeffrey Basinger

Professor Basinger began his storytelling career face-down in frigid waters documenting fish and amphibians, working across the United States for documentary nonprofit Freshwaters Illustrated. With a film and digital media B.A. from University of California, Santa Cruz, and a creative writing M.F.A. from Oregon State University, Basinger quickly moved into the journalism world as a photographer and videographer. He is still friends with many of the fish.

Leander Schaerlaeckens

Leander Schaerlaeckens has been a lecturer in sports communication at Marist since 2017, teaching sports communication and journalism and specializing in writing classes. Leander started and remains the faculty advisor for Center Field, a website covering Marist sports in depth. Leander writes regular columns on soccer and other sports for The Guardian and longer stories for The Ringer. He was previously a full-time soccer writer for ESPN, FOX Sports and Yahoo Sports and has covered three FIFA World Cups.

Cover image of Marist University's Emmy-nominated student documentary, titled

Experiential Learning That Leads to an Emmy Nomination

Three Marist students have earned a prestigious Emmy nomination for their documentary A Mother’s Fight for Bridge Barriers, a short film that explores bridge safety and suicide prevention through the story of Hudson Valley resident Lorraine Lein. Created by Erin Holton '25, Facundo Martinez '25, and Sofia Milojevic '26, the documentary reflects the hands-on, real-world learning experience that defines Marist’s Journalism program and Film, Television, and Media Arts Degree program, where students develop skills in research, reporting, multimedia storytelling, and visual communication. Through classroom projects such as this, students are encouraged to tell meaningful stories that inform and impact communities.

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