<p>I've recently decided that I want to pursue a career in music journalism, but I have a dilemma; I originally planned on majoring in music, but seeing things in a new light, would it be better to major in journalism with a minor in music? I have heard of the possibility of doing a double major, but because both majors are demanding, I wonder if the course load may be too much to complete in four years? </p>
<p>Any advice/suggestions on whether to major in journalism, music, or both?</p>
<p>Either a music major + journalism minor or journalism major + music minor would be OK. A lot will depend on the structure of these program at particular schools.</p>
<p>Journalism would be time-consuming simply because of the outside reporting/writing assignments. Music need not be as time-consuming since a music major doesn’t necessarily mean a performance major, which would require practice time. It could mean a focus on music history or the music industry.</p>
<p>A possible alternative to a straight journalism major is a major in broadcasting.</p>
<p>A possible alternative to a music major is a major in American Studies which could include a focus on popular culture and media. This could include relevant music coursework in music, African-American studies, etc.</p>
<p>There are a number of British universities that offer 3-year degrees in music journalism:
[Music</a> Journalism BA(Hons) - 2013-14 - University of Huddersfield](<a href=“http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/2013-14/full-time/undergraduate/music-journalism-ba-hons/]Music”>http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/2013-14/full-time/undergraduate/music-journalism-ba-hons/)
[BA</a> (Hons) Music Journalism | In-depth | UCA](<a href=“University for the Creative Arts | University for the Creative Arts”>University for the Creative Arts | University for the Creative Arts)
[Music</a> Journalism and Broadcasting](<a href=“http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/courses/music-journalism-and-broadcasting-tcm428155.jsp]Music”>http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/courses/music-journalism-and-broadcasting-tcm428155.jsp)
[BA</a> (Hons) Popular Music Journalism (Full Time) | Undergraduate | Courses | Southampton Solent University](<a href=“http://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/popular_music_journalism_ba/course_details.aspx]BA”>http://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/popular_music_journalism_ba/course_details.aspx)
These might be expensive for an international student without much financial aid, if any (though you could save by the 3-year degree length). These are probably former technical colleges raised to university status in recent years, and since you would specialize from the start, you wouldn’t get much of a general education program.</p>
<p>Some US journalism schools might offer a concentration in arts journalism, e.g., Missouri: Arts & Culture Journalism
[Arts</a> and Culture Journalism - Missouri School of Journalism](<a href=“http://journalism.missouri.edu/programs/undergraduate/junior-senior/interest/arts-and-culture-journalism/]Arts”>http://journalism.missouri.edu/programs/undergraduate/junior-senior/interest/arts-and-culture-journalism/)</p>
<p>Another link:
[How</a> to become an honest-to-god music journalist? - music journalism work | Ask MetaFilter](<a href=“http://ask.metafilter.com/91073/How-to-become-an-honesttogod-music-journalist]How”>How to become an honest-to-god music journalist? - journalism work | Ask MetaFilter)</p>
<p>U Missouri Journalism: Arts & Culture Journalism
[Arts</a> and Culture Journalism - Missouri School of Journalism](<a href=“http://journalism.missouri.edu/programs/undergraduate/junior-senior/interest/arts-and-culture-journalism/]Arts”>http://journalism.missouri.edu/programs/undergraduate/junior-senior/interest/arts-and-culture-journalism/)</p>
<p>Another link:
[How</a> to become an honest-to-god music journalist? - music journalism work | Ask MetaFilter](<a href=“http://ask.metafilter.com/91073/How-to-become-an-honesttogod-music-journalist]How”>How to become an honest-to-god music journalist? - journalism work | Ask MetaFilter)</p>
<p>Those “time-consuming outside reporting/writing assignments” are going to be what gets you a job.</p>
<p>Newspapers/magazines don’t care how many majors you have or what cultural theory courses you’ve taken. They want to know that you can write succinctly and cogently in a journalistic style. Clip files count for far more than GPA points.</p>
<p>If you want to work in the business, you need to, at the very least, work for the college paper or another outside outlet - be it print or online. Build that portfolio.</p>
<p>^^Agree with polarscribe; major in whatever you want. Most LACs don’t offer a journalism major, yet the list of LAC graduates in the field is as long as your arm. Finding ways to get your writing published is key.</p>