The demands of a changing world mean that students need to constantly evaluate their options and determine what is necessary for them to get a good job. The media and creative industries undergo an evolution every day, and prospective students need to keep up with the trends in order to gain an edge in their market. A journalism and creative writing degree from the University of Southern California provides you with the opportunity to gain real-world experience and prepare for a changing world of work. Here, we highlight the various components of the Journalism and Creative Writing curriculum at USC, and how many credits you will need in order to graduate with a degree in either discipline.
The Degree
The University of Southern California offers dual degrees in Journalism and Creative Writing. Typically, a four-year degree requires you to take four years (or eight quarters) to complete, including two years of full-time study. While in university, you have the opportunity to study both theoretically and practically, allowing you to gain valuable experience. In four years, you will learn the fundamental skills required by a journalist or a creative writer. You will also be able to put those skills into practice while gaining professional experience.
Theoretical Courses
Theoretical courses give you the fundamentals of your chosen field, allowing you to learn what you need to learn in an informed manner. For example, if you are studying journalism, you will learn what makes a good journalist and how to report on issues effectively. Creative Writing courses at USC teach you the fundamentals of story-telling and how to write characters that readers can connect with.
In addition to theory classes, you are given the opportunity to study journalism and creative writing empirically. This means that you will be provided with the tools necessary to practice what you have learned in the classroom. For example, if you are studying Journalism, you will have the opportunity to test your skills by presenting a series of articles for publication. If you are studying Creative Writing, you will have the opportunity to write a series of short stories and/or essays and have them published in campus literary magazines.
Practice Courses
Practice courses allow you to put your theoretical knowledge into practice while providing you with the opportunity to develop your skills and improve your efficiency. For example, if you are studying Journalism, you will have the opportunity to take a series of courses that teach you how to cover breaking news stories effectively. While at USC, you will have the opportunity to intern at a local news station and put your practical knowledge into practice. Additionally, you can pursue electives that will further enhance your knowledge of your chosen field.
In summary, the University of Southern California allows you to study both journalism and creative writing, and gain valuable experience that will prepare you for your chosen field. Depending on your major, you will need between 24 and 28 credits to graduate. Incoming students should expect to pay around $30,000 per year in tuition fees.