What Are the Core Courses for Broadcasting Majors?
If you're interesting in majoring in broadcasting, the required core courses include broadcast news writing, television production, reporting and news writing, radio production and communication theory. Broadcasting majors can choose an emphasis in radio or television, and they may work in front of the camera or behind the scenes.
Core Broadcasting Classes Overview
Broadcasting curriculum often covers news writing, television production, reporting, radio production and communication theory, among other subjects. In these courses, students will gain presentation skills, learn how to use equipment and apply writing techniques, and edit sound.
Important Facts About Broadcasting Majors
| Possible Careers | Film/video editor, marketing manager, news anchor, news producer, film/TV producer, account manager, accounts receivable analyst |
| Continuing Education | Doctoral degrees are available |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's and master's |
| Key Skills | Excellent oration, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, social awareness, proficient writing, time management, multitasking, decision making |
Broadcast News Writing
A course in broadcast news writing shows students how to write news scripts for live broadcasts. They learn how to write a news story, daily announcement or breaking news update for a targeted audience within an allotted time frame. For example, a daily announcement may be between 15 and 30 seconds long. The course also shows students how to speak and read clearly in order to get their message across. The main objective of broadcast news writing is to keep the information short and simple. Broadcast news analysts earned a median annual salary of $66,880, as of May 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Television Production
In a television production course, students learn the fundamentals of studio productions at television network stations. Students learn how to work with camera equipment, create their own short studio production and use online and offline production techniques. This course provides students with hands-on training and the opportunity to work behind the scenes of a television studio to see how the technical side of broadcasting works when producing a T.V. show or newscast. According to the BLS, producers and directors earned a median annual salary of $71,680 in 2018.
Reporting and News Writing
In this introductory course, students learn the basic writing style that is required in news stories, such as finding out the who, what, where, when, why and how details to inform the audience. Students learn about the inverted pyramid, which is the style that news is written in, with the most important information at the beginning and the least important information at the bottom. The goal of this style is to capture readers' attention at the very beginning. Students usually take this course before taking the broadcast news writing course. Reporters and correspondents had a median annual salary of $41,260 as of May 2018, per the BLS.
Communication Theory
Communication theory is an introductory course about the history of communication. Students learn about the role of communication in history, communication's effect on society and how communication between age groups, racial groups and social classes differ. Students learn the importance of communication and its effect on a targeted audience. Public relations specialists were paid a median annual salary of $60,000, as of May 2018, according to the BLS.
Radio Production
Radio production courses show students the fundamental workings of a radio show. Students learn how to handle radio production equipment, write radio scripts, record and edit sound, host an on-air show and interview people on the radio. Students may also develop on-air or announcer skills, allowing them to have their own radio show. Producers and directors who were employed in radio and television broadcasting had a median annual salary of $63,620, as of May 2018, per the BLS.