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 2013Fall 2014Fall 2015Fall 2016Fall 2017Fall 2018Fall 2019Fall 2020Fall 2021Fall 2022TOTAL
Cohort141119111105979684686861950
Retained to 2nd Year87%87%81%89%86%85%90%85%948787%
Graduated by 4 Years71%72%66%71%65%65%71%   69%
Graduated by 5 Years74%76%72%72%72%74%    73%
Graduated by 6 Years74%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.