BA Media and Journalism at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Hussman School of Journalism and Media prepares students for careers in journalism and media by offering an academic program that provides a liberal arts education, an understanding of the responsibilities of free speech in a democratic society, and a fundamental knowledge of journalistic and media techniques and substance. Additionally, the acclaimed school is known for award-winning work in the areas of Public Relations and Advertising. The philosophy that guides the school is that journalists and communicators must understand the political, social, economic, and cultural forces that operate within society.

Faculty: UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media | Department: Aerospace Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Our students typically take 72-81 hours outside of media and journalism. MEJO 393 cannot be counted in the minimum of 39 credit hours required but will count in the total 120 credit hours required by the university. Required courses include POLI 100 American Democracy in Changing Times; POLI 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics; POLI 150 International Relations and Global Politics; POLI 202 The United States Supreme Court; MEJO 141 Media Ethics; PHIL 163 Practical Ethics: Moral Reasoning and How We Live.

Career pathways

The Hussman School of Journalism and Media prepares students for careers in journalism and media by offering an academic program that provides a liberal arts education, an understanding of the responsibilities of free speech in a democratic society, and a fundamental knowledge of journalistic and media techniques and substance. For this reason, students acquire a background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences while preparing careers in journalism, media, advertising, and public relations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English. Programme-specific: Students who wish to complete a second major outside the school and who did not declare the second major before being admitted to the school must download a second-major declaration form from the school’s website and email it to UNC Hussman Academic Advising.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unc.edu/

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