Journalism, Media Studies, And Public Relations

Public Accountability

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RETENTION & GRADUATION RATES

Journalism, Mass Media Studies & Public Relations Majors

Herbert School of Communication

  Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 Fall 2016 Fall 2017 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020 Fall 2021 Fall 2022 TOTAL
Cohort 141 119 111 105 97 96 84 68 68 61 950
Retained to 2nd Year 87% 87% 81% 89% 86% 85% 90% 85% 94 87 87%
Graduated by 4 Years 71% 72% 66% 71% 65% 65% 71%       69%
Graduated by 5 Years 74% 76% 72% 72% 72% 74%         73%
Graduated by 6 Years 74% 76% 75% 74% 73%           74%

Source: AY22 Factbook table
Includes FTFT UGs as well as New Transfer Students

Internship Locations by Academic Year:

When Hiring, What do Employers Look For?

From January 9 to 13, 2013, Hart Research Associates conducted an online survey among 318 employers whose organizations have at least 25 employees and report that 25% or more of their new hires hold either an associate's degree from a two-year college or a bachelor's degree from a four-year college. Respondents are executives at private sector and nonprofit organizations, including owners, CEOs, presidents, C-suite level executives, and vice presidents.

  • Nearly all employers surveyed (95%) say they give hiring preference to college graduates with skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace.
  • Nearly all those surveyed (93%) say that "a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than [a candidate's] undergraduate major."
  • More than 9 in 10 of those surveyed say it is important that those they hire demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning.
  • More than 75% of employers say they want more emphasis on five key areas including:
    • Critical thinking,
    • Complex problem-solving,
    • Written communication,
    • Oral communication, and
    • Applied knowledge in real-world settings.
  • Employers endorse several educational practices as potentially helpful in preparing college students for workplace success. These include practices that require students to:
    • Conduct research and use evidence-based analysis,
    • Gain in-depth knowledge in the major and analytic, problem-solving, and communication skills, and
    • Apply their learning in real-world settings.

It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success (2013), Washington, D.C., Association of American Colleges and Universities and Hart Research Associates.