The school holds as its ultimate aim the encouragement of students to be active participants in today's society, with the hope and expectation that some will assume leadership roles in advertising, broadcasting, graphic design, photojournalism, print journalism, public relations and other communication areas.

School of Journalism & Broadcasting
Organization Chart, 2009

Pam Johnson
Director
School of Journalism & Broadcasting

The school embraces the concept that broad-based liberal arts curriculum is essential for a well-rounded understanding of society. It upholds the ideal that the American press system should be free, independent and responsible.

Through its course work and extracurricular activities, the school and its faculty encourage students to be critical thinkers and competent communicators, to be aware of ethical values and historical perspectives, and to gain insight into the functions and responsibilities of contemporary communications institutions. A high priority is the encouragement of students to be able to adapt, both intellectually and creatively, to the realities and challenges of an increasingly diverse and complex information society.

The faculty of the six school programs - advertising, broadcasting and mass communication, photojournalism, print journalism and public relations - seek as a primary mission to prepare students and prospective graduates for positions in the communications media and related institutions.

Many graduates become reporters, copy editors, photojournalists, graphic designers, radio and television producers and directors, advertising sales people and account executives, and public relations practitioners in government, business and non-profit institutions. The program curricula seek to provide students with the conceptual and technical tools, including evolving electronic technologies, that will allow them to be successful communicators.

Students are encouraged to seek practical experience through work on student publications and broadcasting outlets, other campus publications, local media, and internships at newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, advertising firms, businesses, public relations agencies and other institutions. Faculty members, through their broad and active professional contacts, assist students and graduates in career placement. Faculty critique students' cover letters, resumes and portfolios.

Since 1979, when it was only two years old, the Department of Journalism has been nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education for Journalism and Mass Communications. The department was re-accredited in 1997-98. In 1999 the department merged with the broadcasting program and the University created the School of Journalism & Broadcasting.

On May 28, 2004, the School in its new configuration was re-accredited. Being accredited means the school adheres to high standards, including emphasis in liberal arts and sciences education in the attainment of a professional communications degree. The majors in advertising, broadcasting, news/editorial journalism, public relations and photojournalism are scrutinized by the council, which is made up of educators and representatives of 20 professional and six educational communication organizations in the United States.

The school seeks to match the right graduating senior -- or working professional -- with the right job. A career section of the Journalism Resources Center contains notices of available job openings. The school also works closely with newspaper editors, photo editors, broadcast station managers, and advertising and public relations professionals in Kentucky and other states to assist graduating seniors with employment. In addition, student professional organizations sponsor internship and employment seminars to tell prospective interns and graduates how to get jobs.

Many graduating students plan to attend graduate or law school.