The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Kentucky, accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, offers undergraduate degrees in journalism and media arts and studies. The emphasis within our curricula is a practical mix of hands-on application and the latest theoretical advances.
If your passion is reporting (on-air/social media/print/broadcast/radio/sports), web design, graphic design, video gaming, sound production (podcasts/music recording/voice overs), videography, video production, photography or one of the infinite other media-related interests, we can prepare you for journalism and media arts careers that shape your passions into professions.
Our History: Where We’ve Been
The School of Journalism and Media has a proud history of public service to the Commonwealth starting with its founding in 1914 as the Department of Journalism led by Enoch Grehan. The following year, the first issue of the student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, was published. In September 1923, Grehan financed a linotype machine purchase to allow the student newspaper to be printed on campus.
In 1931, the Department of Journalism received its first accreditation and has continuously maintained its accreditation ranking. It is one of only 119 accredited journalism programs in the country and abroad.
The Department of Journalism became the School of Journalism in 1950 and a gift from The Kentucky Kernel to the University enabled the start of construction on a new journalism building. The building was dedicated on November 2, 1951, and named for Enoch Grehan. In 1968 the School of Journalism became part of the newly established School of Communication along with Telecommunications and Speech as part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Since 1951, the School has gone through many changes, including several name changes and departments being formed from it such as the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication and the Department of Communication.
- In 1976, the School of Journalism and Department of Human Communication separated from the College of Arts and Sciences to form the new College of Communications.
- In 1981, the Department of Telecommunications was established as an educational unit in the College of Communications.
- In 1993, the Board of Trustees approved the merger of the College of Communications with the College of Library and Information Science to form the new College of Communication and Information Studies.
- Also in 1993, the School of Journalism and the Department of Telecommunications merged to form the School of Journalism and Telecommunications within the College.
- In 1997, the advertising program within the School of Journalism and Telecommunications was renamed integrated strategic communication and expanded to also cover public relations, direct response and other forms of persuasive communication.
- In 2011, the telecommunications program was renamed media arts and studies to more accurately describe the range of coursework offered.
- In 2015, the integrated strategic communication major left the School of Journalism and Telecommunications to become the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.
- In 2016, the UK Board of Trustees approved the new name of the School of Journalism and Media.
- In 2022, the School added a minor in video game development.
- In 2023, the School created a sport communication, media, and promotion certificate with the Department of Communication and the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.
Our Future: Where We’re Going
New facilities are in the works in the near future, including:
- A state-of-the-art broadcasting facility in Rupp Arena to give the opportunity to work in a live, open-set studio creating news and sports broadcasting shows. Anticipated completion: Fall 2024.
- A renovation of Pence Hall with the School of Journalism and Media having new classrooms, new learning laboratories, expanded equipment checkout and instructor offices in the same building. Anticipated completion: Fall 2025.