Which Schools Offer Training to Become a Radio DJ?
Find out about the types of schools with programs designed for radio DJs. Learn all about common coursework, degree options and possible career information.
Educational Options for DJs
An associate's degree in radio broadcasting can prepare you for immediate employment in the radio industry or further education. You can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Radio Broadcasting from schools such as Lewis and Clark Community College, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Northeast Community College. Read on to find out more about these schools and their programs.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutRadioBroadcastingDegrees">Important Facts About Radio Broadcasting Degrees</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Common Courses </td><td> Script and news writing, audio recording/editing, public speaking and articulation, broadcast program management, media advertisement, broadcast journalism</td></tr>
<tr><td> Related Fields </td><td> Mass communication, radio and television broadcasting technology, entertainment and media studies, newscasting/journalism, media management</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Concentrations </td><td> Station operations and management, convergent journalism, editing and production, digital radio and audio, integrated digital media, professional communication</td></tr>
<tr><td> Careers Options </td><td> Broadcast technician, sound engineer, news or entertainment producer, reporter, content writer or editor, on-air contributor (program host, newsreader, voice actor, etc.)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2023)* </td><td> $45,849 (<i>radio DJ</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)**</td><td> -4% decline (<i>announcers and DJs</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *PayScale.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---LewisClarkCommunityCollege">Lewis & Clark Community College</h3><p>This two-year college has multiple campus locations in the state of Illinois and serves nearly 30,000 students overall. More than 40 degrees are currently offered at Lewis & Clark, including an Associate of Applied Science in Radio Broadcasting. While in the program, you will gain hands-on experience while working at the campus radio station, WLCA 89.9 FM. As a staff member, you will have a chance to work as an announcer, a newscaster, a copywriter, and a production manager. The program in radio broadcasting consists of 67 credit hours and culminates in a 16-week internship at a local radio station. Course topics include:
</p><ul><li>News writing and editing
</li><li>Broadcast script writing
</li><li>Announcing news, sports, weather and features
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfPittsburghAtBradford">University of Pittsburgh at Bradford</h3><p>You can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications from the University of Pittsburgh campus located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. In addition to general education requirements in the arts, humanities, and sciences, you will complete courses designed for the broadcast communication major. You'll gain hands-on experience with the university's digital television studio and radio facilities. Some of the core courses you'll take include:
</p><ul><li>Broadcast programming and management
</li><li>The mass media and society
</li><li>Media advertising
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NortheastCommunityCollege">Northeast Community College</h3><p>Northeast Community College, established in 1973, is a two-year college with a main campus in Norfolk, Nebraska, and multiple locations throughout northeast Nebraska. At Northeast Community College, you can obtain an Associate of Applied Science in TV and Radio Broadcasting. The 65-credit program consists of general education requirements as well as core and elective courses designed specifically for the major. A few of the core courses you will take are:
</p><ul><li>Introduction to mass media
</li><li>Broadcast operations
</li><li>Voice and Diction</li></ul>