Stony Brook University School of Communication and Journalism

Degrees offered

The School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) offers undergraduate programs in Communication, Mass Communication, and Journalism, plus graduate degrees including a Master of Science in Journalism, a Master of Science in Science Communication, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Science Communication.

Programs and emphasis

SoCJ emphasizes experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, with signature initiatives including the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting and the Center for News Literacy, which developed the nation's first undergraduate News Literacy course with start-up funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The school also works closely with Stony Brook's Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

History

The School of Journalism was founded in 2006 as SUNY's first school of journalism, with founding dean Howard Schneider, a former longtime editor of Newsday. It was renamed the School of Communication and Journalism in 2021 to reflect expanded work in communication research. As of early 2026, Stony Brook was conducting a search for its next dean following Laura Lindenfeld's tenure as dean and executive director of the Alda Center.

Key faculty and leadership

Howard Schneider: Founding Dean of the School of Journalism (2006) and Executive Director of the Center for News Literacy.
Laura Lindenfeld: Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism and Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

Location and contact info

Address
Melville Library N4004
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794
Phone
631-632-7403
Email
socj@stonybrook.edu
Website
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/journalism/