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Journalism and Media Studies

Pursue your passion for storytelling.

Discover a supportive community where you can uncover the creator, producer, strategist and artist within.

Whether you’re here to major in journalism and media studies (simply referred to as JAMS around here), minor in media studies or meet your Linfield Curriculum requirements, you will find countless opportunities to be mentored by enthusiastic faculty in developing your creativity and cultivating your voice.

Storytelling is more than words.

Are you interested in audio, video, photography, film, design or writing? Linfield’s flexible JAMS major helps you tell stories using multiple media, channels and platforms. Our program lets you blend journalism, strategic communication, and media production with hands-on practice and a strong liberal arts foundation.

You also get deeper knowledge of democratic values, civic institutions and ethical decision-making – which employers prize.

Everything you need to become a powerful content creator.

You have access to state-of-the-art production facilities with industry-standard technology to build your creative skills and portfolio. Our Student Media Center has:

Two audio/podcasting studios
Mini studio for photography and video work
Dedicated computer lab with iMacs and Creative Cloud
Flexible spaces for collaboration

Learn how media reach people and why media matter.

It’s easy to integrate your study of media and journalism with other majors or minors at Linfield. Here are some popular combinations with a JAMS major:

The top of Pioneer Hall through vibrant fall leaves.

A Transfer Student's Triumph

When Mariah Johnston ’25 arrived at Linfield as a transfer student in her second year of college, she found that involvement was easier to achieve than expected. “With class sizes so small and super involved professors, it’s kind of hard not to get involved.”

Meet Mariah

Spectators in the bleachers cheering during a game.

Jake Downing dribbling the basketball on the court during a basketball game.

Pairing His Two Passions

While it seems like sports and photography are two different mediums, Jake Downing '25 has put the two together creating a learning environment based on his specific interests.

Meet Jake

Aerial shot of Commencement in the Oak Grove.

Meghan Mullaly '23 posing with fellow Zeta Tau Alpha sorority member.

From Small Town to Big Possibilities

Although Meghan Mullaly’s college path wasn’t clear from the start, everything seemed to fall into place once she arrived as a student on the Linfield University McMinnville Campus. Now, thanks to Linfield's opportunities and preparation, this small-town girl knows that she is prepared to do big things.

Meet Meghan

Rome: Ancient and Modern Storytelling

"While we had just come from a fairly large city, somehow Rome felt more 'city-like.' It felt larger and busier, and that life was just moving at a faster pace."

Follow their Jan Term journey

Greece: The Histories, the Stories, the Journey

"There is something simultaneously extraordinary and adorable about walking by a ruin that is two and a half millennia old and seeing a stray cat stretched over it, napping in the sun."

Follow the Jan Term journey in Greece

View from the plane flying over Athens, Greece.

Greece: Ancient and Modern Storytelling

The Wildcats Traveling Theatre blog covers the journey of 15 Linfield University students as we study abroad learning about the history of theatre and storytelling across seven different cities in Greece and Italy.

Follow their Jan Term journey

Linfield University banner on light pole

five peer educators for the Consent Awareness Training Squad

Meet the 2022-23 CATS educators

The Consent Awareness Training Squad (CATS) is a group of student leaders that work to spread awareness on and off campus about the importance of consent, healthy relationships, respect and safe alcohol habits.

Meet the squad

Discovering Linfield

Emma Libby ’23, like many Linfield students, took advantage of the university’s many versatile study-abroad opportunities. She spent the spring semester of 2022 learning about wine in France.

Meet Emma

an aerial view of Linfield University McMinnville Campus in fall

Kayley, Matigan and Olivia performing with the Linfield Dance Team at a Wildcat football game

My Bonus Families For Fall Family Weekend

Linfield’s annual Fall Family Weekend brought forth a flood of Wildcat families. Kayley Dombrigues '25 spent hers with the families of her roommates, Olivia Welsh ’25 and Matigan Dodge ’25. Kayley said, "By folding me into their family activities, I felt the security and warm-loving comfort of family in the absence of my own."

Meet Kayley

Seizing the Opportunity

With close relationships with professors, supportive teammates on and off the basketball court and a trip to the NCAA women's basketball championship tournament, rising senior Janessa Yniguez ’23 has made the most of every opportunity presented during her time at Linfield.

Meet Janessa Yniguez '23

dancers on the stage at the lu'au surrounded by Hawaiian floral decorations

From Linfield Hoodie to Linfield Lu'au

First-year student Taetum Lynn Kalani '25 was more than ready to dance in Linfield University’s 49th Annual Lu'au and Ho'ike. You could say that it all began with her grandfather’s Linfield hooded sweatshirt.

Meet Taetum '25

The Flood family pictured together at Linfield's homecoming 2021 football game

Making My Life Extraordinary

"When my parents finally made the decision, they knew amputation was the best choice for me and that the doctors were going to be right. However, there was one thing that the doctors were completely wrong about. I was going to be anything but ‘normal’, I was going to be extraordinary, and my family made sure of that."

Meet Annie

Contact us

For more information about JAMS at Linfield, please feel free to contact our department chair. We look forward to connecting with you!