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Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning

Hear It Now, See It Now, Be It Now.

 

From London rooftop broadcasts during WWII raids, to his exposés of McCarthyism in the early 50s, Edward R. Murrow is known for taking his audience places they had never been and allowing them to experience things they could never imagine.

True to our legacy, the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is dedicated to providing students—the communications professionals of the future—this same level of inspiration, experience, and real-world education.

Murrow College encourages students to break free from the classroom, offering a real-world experience like no other program in the Pacific Northwest. Students can participate in our fully-funded backpack journalism or study abroad programs, work with real clients in a culminating course, national PR or advertising competition, or join the staff of one of our radio or television properties. Internships, mentorships, and student opportunities to participate in funded research projects keep students’ fingers on the pulse of the communications industry.

Learn About Experiential Learning Opportunities

At Murrow College, we pride ourselves on learning while doing! We believe in getting hands-on, real-world experience in classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities, and that’s exactly what you’ll get during your time at Murrow. Hear from faculty members in one of our Murrow Minutes episodes below as they talk about what you can expect in some of our classes, even as we made the pivot after COVID-19.

What Interests You?

The possibilities for experiential learning at Murrow are endless! Learn more about the types of experiential learning we offer:

  • Backpack Journalism
  • Rural Journalism
  • Global Expeditions
  • Community Engagement
  • Media Services

Student Media

Murrow News 8

Murrow News 8 is a nightly newscast produced, written, anchored and crewed entirely by students from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.

Learn more about Murrow News 8

Murrow News Service

The Murrow News Service was created to provide students with experience in creating professional news stories, as well as to provide information to the public and media outlets. NWPR and NWPTV are trusted sources of quality content; students working within these properties get hands-on experience writing, editing, and producing content for a professional, statewide public radio and television service.

Learn more about Murrow News Service

Students in newsroom

Global Learning Experiences

student with camera

Backpack Journalism

The Murrow Backpack Journalism program provides a unique opportunity for the most accomplished students in the college to travel abroad and work in an international environment. Backpack Journalism students experience the challenges and benefits of international travel, may have their work published by professional media and enrich their academic and professional lives.

Learn more about Backpack Journalism

Backpack Environmental

Murrow students who love nature, the Earth, and need to be the first to know about groundbreaking environmental science can be a part of the Backpack Environmental program. Student journalists travel around the country and work side-by-side with environmental scientists conducting cutting-edge experiments, and have the opportunity to profile their work.

Study Abroad: Murrow Global Expeditions

The mission in May 2017: for students to find their own stories while immersed in two incredible international locations. “Havana, Pearl of the Caribbean,” will mark our fourth Global Expedition to this cultural treasure, now open to U.S. Citizens after decades of political and social isolation. A new program, “Epic Stories of Greece,” offers an unforgettable one-month learning experience in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Learn more about Global Expeditions

Student Clubs and Organizations

Whether you’re interested in Journalism or Strategic Communication, there are plenty of student clubs and organizations students can join to gain valuable applied experience in communication.

Find a student club or organization that matches your interests now!

Graduate students

Community Engagement

In partnership with WSU’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), Strategic Communication students work in teams and are given specific tasks in PR, social media, digital content creation, web and metrics, and grassroots outreach for real-world clients.

Learn more about community engagement opportunities.

Internships

We have established relationships with major media companies, public relations, and advertising agencies. Dedicated Career Services staff keeps students connected to internship and job opportunities, and our strong corporate partners like Boeing and the Seahawks, students with professional networking and resume building connections.

Learn about Internship Opportunities

Awards & Achievements

Murrow students are regularly featured and granted awards by the American Advertising Federation, PRSSA’s Bateman Case Study Competition, the Society of Professional Journalism, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the National Student Advertising Competition. Each of these organizations provides professional networking, career development and real-world experiences that put our students at an advantage in the workplace.

Check out some of the recent achievements and awards of Murrow students.