The program is an integral component of the School of Media & Communication and has been a significant contributor to the high quality of the university’s student publications. In the William Randolph Hearst Journalism Awards competition, often referred to as the Pulitzer Prizes of collegiate journalism, WKU’s Visual Journalism and Photography program leads the nation in both the Photojournalism and Multimedia Intercollegiate competitions. This success is achieved through the practice of producing content-driven stories within the classroom, then reinforced through internships, workshops, freelance opportunities, and overseas educational programs.<br><br>The major offers two concentrations: Photojournalism and Documentary (45 hours) and Photography (36 hours). The Photojournalism and Documentary concentration prepares students to enter the visual journalism profession with classes in still photography, documentary video, design, studio lighting, visual business practices, and journalism writing. The Photography concentration is designed for those wanting to obtain skills in still photography, studio lighting, video, and design, applying these to applications outside of the traditional journalism profession, such as commercial, portraiture, advertising, and promotional photography.