Southern Illinois University School of Journalism and Advertising

Degrees offered

The School of Journalism and Advertising (SoJA) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) offers a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and contributes to graduate degrees within the College of Arts and Media, including a Master of Arts in Media Theory and Research, a Master of Science in Professional Media and Media Management Studies, a Master of Fine Arts, and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and Media Arts.

Programs and emphasis

Coursework spans web, video, audio, and multimedia skills alongside writing, media law, ethics, and history. The school is one of only five accredited journalism programs in Illinois. Connected units include the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, which hosts speakers on politics and digital media, and the annual Big Muddy Film Festival.

History

SIU Carbondale began in 1869 as Illinois' second teachers college. Its School of Journalism was a founding charter member of the Pulitzer Center Consortium when it launched in January 2009. The College of Arts and Media, which now houses the School of Journalism and Advertising, was established in 2021.

Key faculty and leadership

Jan Thompson: Professor and Director of the School of Journalism and Advertising.
Bill Freivogel: Professor of Media Law and former Director of the School of Journalism (2006-2014), previously a 34-year reporter and editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Student-run media

The Daily Egyptian, SIU's student newspaper, described by the school as the flagship of a curriculum extending beyond print into multimedia.

Location and contact info

Address
1100 Lincoln Dr., Mail Code 6601
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone
(618) 536-3361
Email
jschool@siu.edu
Website
https://mcma.siu.edu/journalism