School of Communication & Journalism Learning Opportunities
MSUM School of Communication & Journalism students have won a variety of prestigious awards, thanks to the ability to participate in numerous professional development learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Student-based professional organizations, campus athletics, internships, non-profit organizations and many paid, part-time, media related jobs in the Fargo-Moorhead community are invaluable to earning real-world experience while earning a degree.
The School of Communication & Journalism has established an award-winning presence at both the regional and national level. Students routinely create unique, collaborative works that employ new media and produce captivating, high-quality projects. Our journalism students have earned 88 awards across five different competitions in the past year.
As a Public Relations major, you'll participate in the Bateman Case Study Competition during your final year at MSUM. It’s your opportunity to apply your classroom education and internship experiences to create and implement a full public relations campaign with your classmates. Past competition clients include Student Veterans of America, United Way Worldwide, Ford Motor Credit Company, and more.
The Broadcast Documentary class at MSUM produces a 30-minute documentary each year for Prairie Public Television. Whether you’re interested in researching, writing, reporting, photographing, editing, narrating or producing, there’s a place for you to put your skills to use. The 2017 documentary is titled Crafted: A Romance with Beer. See also Inspired by Nature, winner of several regional awards and a national award for best student television documentary.
Campus News is a collaborative learning project where faculty and industry professionals mentor you to produce a weekly television program that airs on Prairie Public Television. MSUM’s Campus News is broadcast into the homes of more than a million people via Prairie Public Television. The 30-minute newscast includes local, regional and national stories, and is written, reported, photographed, edited, anchored and produced by students like you.
Dragon Communicators is a student organization open to all fields of study. The organization focuses on enhancing communication skills thorough social and educational functions relevant to you. Dragon Communicators often visits local businesses and hosts alumni to hear their communication stories.
Our student advertising and public relations (ad/pr) agency, Flypaper Creative Services, takes on real projects for community and campus clients. The organization runs with a professional ad/pr agency model. A team consisting of an account manager, designer, copywriter, PR specialist, event planner, and social media specialist develops materials for clients. Professionals in the field of ad/pr mentor the students throughout each project.
HorizonLines is a general-interest online magazine produced by students like you studying various aspects of journalism at MSUM. As part of the online magazine staff, you'll take on the role of writing, editing, photography or web design. Themes range widely each year; from "Calling in the Cattle" to "Dangerous, Difficulty and Dirty Jobs" and "From Seeds to Servings."
Although School of Communication & Journalism majors are not required to have an internship, it is highly recommended. Dozens of advertising and PR agencies and businesses in Fargo-Moorhead have realized internships can provide needed services for their company while giving beneficial experience to local college students, so there are multitudes to choose from. Recent students have interned with the following organizations among dozens of others:
- Absolute Marketing Group
- AdShark Marketing
- Co-Schedule
- DogIDs
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Wild
- Sundog
- Trollwood Performing Arts School
The Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism, housed in the School of Communication and Journalism, gives students the opportunity for scholarships, apprenticeships and enrichment programs, including conferences and professional collaboration.
The Photo Documentary class strives to document significant and important events in our lives. You will have the opportunity to photograph some aspect of life and all of its manifestations for the entire semester and produce a book or online publication showcasing your work.
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. PRSSA seeks to advance the public relations profession by nurturing generations of future professionals through meetings, networking and social events, agency tours, discussions and more. Though the focus is public relations and communications, all students are welcome to join.
The Advocate is the official award-winning student newspaper of MSUM. The Advocate is written and produced by students, for students. Whether you’re interested in writing, copy editing, photography or design, there’s a place for you to practice your skills with The Advocate.