Journalism and Media Production

No matter the story, the Journalism and Media Production major (JuMP) is dedicated to teaching you about the variety of interesting ways you could tell it.

Depending on your interest, there’s news and reporting, print and photojournalism, documentary, new media, and narrative and short filmmaking. But even with the separate interest areas, JuMP stresses convergent media and the underlying research and writing skills that connect journalists, documentarians and filmmakers.

In addition to your classes — which are taught by industry experts from Pulitzer Prize winners to Telly Award recipients — there are on-campus experiential learning opportunities through the Michigan Journal student newspaper, WUMD College Radio and the media production studio, which is a fully equipped, flexible production space for producing television and news, green screen compositing, narrative film shoots and new media applications.

JuMP students have screened their films at such venues as the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, Cinema Detroit, Freep Film Festival, Duluth Superior Film Festival, Sunrise 45 Film Festival, Columbus Moving Image Art Review, Arab American National Museum, and been nominated for a Student Emmy Award. They have graduated to positions at such outlets as the Detroit Free Press, WXYZ-TV, Hour Media, WDIV/Click on Detroit, 9&10 News, WWJ Newsradio, Holland Sentinel, Walt Disney World, WebMD, and Strive Creative. They have also gone on to graduate school in a number of fields, including at Wayne State University, Chapman University, the University of Georgia, and Adler University.

What Will I Learn?

  • Demonstrate ability to gather, evaluate, convey, and distribute information for specific audiences and outcomes

  • Develop and produce multiple forms of media, including print, audio, and video

  • Apply research skills in gathering and critically evaluating media texts from multiple perspectives

  • Demonstrate versatility in multiple approaches to narrative expression, both fiction and nonfiction

  • Implement creative problem-solving skills within an ethical framework

  • Apply theory to practice in a project-based or team environment

  • Recognize and respect the role of diverse perspectives, identities, backgrounds, approaches, and abilities in the production and reception of media texts, including one’s own positionality

 

Visit the University Catalog:

Learn about degree requirements and coursework for the JuMP major, Journalism Minor, and Media Production certificate.

Learn about degree requirements and coursework for the online Film Studies minor.

Making the Most of Your Major

There are opportunities to develop skills and connect with others interested in Journalism and Media Production beyond the classroom.

Get Involved

Join one of the student media organizations on campus (Michigan Journal, Campus Video NetworkWUMD, Lyceum). Present your research at the Meeting of Minds or the CASL Research Showcase. Work as an assistant in the media production studio, which is a fully equipped, flexible production space for producing television and news, green screen compositing, narrative film shoots and new media applications. Explore UM-Dearborn student organizations on VictorsLink.

Get Real World Experience

All JuMP students are required to participate in an internship or senior thesis. There is a seminar component to both the internship and the co-op. (The senior thesis is available only to students who have prior JuMP industry experience.) Explore producing an independent thesis project.

Plan for Life After Graduation

JuMP graduates have attained employment in a wide range of fields both here in Southeast Michigan and around the world, including broadcast news, photojournalism, film and video production, arts and nonprofit administration, and print journalism. Career Services offers assistance with job searching, resumes, interviews or graduate school applications.

General Program Information

Students in JuMP can choose a flexible path of study in multiple approaches to storytelling and media production. This versatile program allows you to explore creating, producing, and distributing stories whether from journalistic approaches, cinematic approaches, or anything in between. Along the way, you will develop skills in research, analysis, creativity, technology, and critical problem-solving. Students are also asked to take courses in "Media Tools" to ensure a well-rounded background in media production that can apply to multiple career paths.

JuMP Faculty

Nancy Hanus

Lecture I in Journalism and Media Production

Tim Kiska

Professor of Communications

Anthony Luckett

Teaching Professor, Journalism and Media Production; Director of Humanities and History Internship Program

Jennifer Proctor

Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Production

James Schaefer

LEO Lecturer II, Journalism and Media Production

Adam Sekuler

Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Production

Benjamin Wielechowski

LEO Lecturer I, Journalism and Media Production

Shelby Zuk

LEO Lecturer I, Journalism and Media Production

My reason for majoring in JASS is because of my nickname, "Channel Two" -- I'm always getting the scoop!
— LESLIE KING, JASS MAJOR