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Quinnipiac University

BA in Journalism Experiential Learning

Experiential learning at Quinnipiac offers multiple opportunities to apply your knowledge through hands-on work, service and exploration, preparing you for success in 21st-century careers. With an abundance of resources, internship opportunities and career-focused guidance, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge that distinguish you to employers and pave the way for long-term success.

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Undergraduate and graduate capstone projects

Prior to graduation, all journalism students complete in-depth pieces of journalism as part of their capstone experience. The stories they tell, built upon interviews from diverse sources and rich statistical data points, shed light on relevant and compelling topics and demonstrate the students' mastery of how to present and produce news in digital, broadcast and print environments. 

Explore the capstone portfolio

Apply Your Skills on Campus

Three students sitting at a desk commentating on a men's basketball game

Experience the Action

We're proud to offer a range of experiential learning opportunities tailored to students interested in joining this exciting field. Become an invaluable member of student-run media groups or professional organizations as you hone your skills for a career in journalism.  

  • Q30 is the official student-run television station of Quinnipiac with weekly shows dedicated to local news, entertainment stories and sports coverage which are produced and filmed by students. 
  • The Quinnipiac Chronicle is the official student-run newspaper at Quinnipiac with a dedicated staff set on publishing high-quality weekly issues.
  • The Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network (QBSN) is a student-run organization that offers students the opportunity to become active sports journalists through live streaming all Quinnipiac sports, running a website and publishing a magazine.
  • The Quinnipiac Podcast Studio, with limitless opportunities to create news-centered shows.
  • Live, work and learn in some of the nation's largest cities while you intern at leading companies, network with industry professionals and explore all that the cities have to offer:

Gain experience through hands-on curriculum

Students outside of the Podcast Studio.

Experiential Courses

At Quinnipiac, journalism students have the opportunity to take numerous classes that provide real-world experience in newcast producing, photojournalism, podcast creation and more.

Photojournalism Fundementals (JRN 205) is a hands-on course that focuses on creating compelling, original news photography using the latest DSLR and Mirrorless cameras that journalists in the field are using today. Students learn about the basics of photography in this course and how to shape those technical skills into competent photojournalism.

Students have the opportunity to take trips to protests, athletic events, etc. where they can cover real-life news and sporting events.

The Art of the Podcast (JRN 280) is a hands-on course that explores creative audio storytelling via the podcast. Students learn how to research, write, record, edit and self-publish creative nonfiction and fictional stories that are both original, and emulate some of the most popular podcasts on the market.

Students in The QNN Newscast (JRN 496) rotate through the roles common in a TV newsroom (anchor, producer, reporter, video editor, etc.) to produce a 30 minute local newscast each week that reports stories from QU, Hamden and New Haven. Students work on the show elements throughout the week, then come together to finalize it and record the show in the studio.

Students interested in online journalism have the opportunity to take HQNN. In this hands-on course, students work together to run a news website that covers the Quinnipiac and Hamden area.

Telling Global Stories is a course that immerses students in the history, economy, media, politics and culture of Central America and culminates in a trip to one of the region’s countries during spring break. Students conduct interviews with a range of citizens, including market vendors, farmers, fishermen, teachers, artists and former revolutionaries, to learn their stories and highlight their lives.

Most recently, students traveled to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, a municipality on the shores of Lake Atitlán in the country’s southwestern highlands. Past trips have included visits to areas in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

“Students are not only learning about a different country and culture, they also get the chance to practice real journalism,” said Margarita Diaz, associate professor of journalism.

The stories and photography that Diaz’s students return with are collected and published on the blog tellingglobalstories.org. They reflect day-to-day life in poor countries deeply affected by decades of civil war, political corruption, economic downturn and a complicated relationship with the United States. Moreover, they challenge commonly held beliefs about Central America and its people.

Read the blog

Journalism students inspect their photo cameras
Students conduct a workshop to teach the members of the co-op how to document their work.
Professor Margarita Diaz speaks with a Nicaraguan boy
A group of journalism students pose in front of a Nicaraguan mountain range
Michaela Mendygral, Lindsay Pytel, Tatyana Youssef, Giulanna Grosso and Shayla Colon—atop Cerro Negro volcano, near León, Nicaragua.
A journalism student and a Nicaraguan boy smile on the beach
A journalism student snaps photos with her camera
As part of their trip, students documented their work and wrote blogs that were posted on a microsite.
A journalism student takes notes while interviewing a Nicaraguan woman
Fully immersed in the Nicaraguan culture, students learned more about the locals by conducting interviews.

A Foundation for Your Future

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180 Internship Locations

The number of locations where communications students interned across the country during the 2019-20 academic year.

#1 in the United States

#1 Best Employment Rate

For the fifth year in a row, the career site Zippia ranked Quinnipiac as the best college in the nation for employment 10 years after graduation.

73% Hands-On Experience

Percentage of seniors who participated in at least one internship during their time at Quinnipiac.

Career-Building Resources

3 female students speak to a woman standing behind a career fair table

Job Market Trends

Quinnipiac students excel as interns, new hires, managers and executives in almost every industry. Gather real-world data about starting salaries, hiring trends and in-demand skills to inform your decision-making and put you on a path to success. 

Explore real-world data and insights

View all tools and resources

Students speaking to recruiters at the University-Wide Career Fair held in the Athletic and Recreation Center.

Design your career path

With an abundance of career-focused information and resources, the career advisers within the School of Communications support students as they expand their professional networks and attract the attention of prestigious employers.

Learn more about career development

A career advisor working with a student

Career and Experiential Learning Lab

iQ, Quinnipiac University’s holistic approach to career development and experiential learning, surrounds every individual with a personalized plan that maximizes their time at Quinnipiac. The powerhouse of iQ, our Career and Experiential Learning Lab is the physical space where students and advisers bridge the gap between college and career. 

Learn more about our Career and Experiential Learning Lab

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Contact Admissions

Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.

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