Aspiring news anchors, talk show hosts and cameramen now have an outlet to explore their prospective careers by earning a degree in digital broadcast journalism from the College of DuPage. Students who earn the degree will be prepared to assume entry-level positions in broadcast journalism in a range of media outlets from television to print. The first of seven courses approved as a part of the degree, Writing and Reporting I, will be offered in the spring 2015 semester.

The new degree will fall under the motion picture television program in the college’s liberal arts division. Degree sponsor and motion picture television professor Jennifer Piehl stated the curriculum is hands-on and provides students with an invaluable experience in digital broadcast journalism. Students who complete coursework can build up a portfolio to give them a competitive edge in the job market.

“We have reporting courses, writing courses and voice and articulation courses so students can leave with a reel, a resume reel, that they can bring to markets for on-camera or behind the scenes work,” Piehl said. “We are providing multiple courses and training with real-life application.”

The College of DuPage board of trustees unanimously approved a new digital broadcast journalism degree at the Sept. 24 regular meeting.

Preparation for the degree began in 2010 when an advisory board was assembled to discuss prospective courses. Along with Piehl, WTTW producer Beni Enas, Northern Illinois University journalism professor Allen May and College of DuPage mass communication professor Sandy Fries created the degree.

Piehl will be visiting COD mass communication courses and traveling to local high schools to promote the degree, one she believes offers immense value to students.

“If you were to look at other Illinois community colleges, they don’t have anything near what we have here with the digital broadcast journalism degree” Piehl said. “Very few, if any, community colleges in Illinois will provide students with the opportunities we are.”