Ranking Journalism and Mass Communications Programs: Administrators and Faculty Approve of the Idea and Assess Potential Criteria. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weber, Joseph
• Is Part Of: Journalism & mass communication educator. Volume 72:Number 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: journalism school rankings -- university rankings -- educational institution rankings -- Department of Education Ratings -- evaluating journalism and mass communications programs; Communication -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; 070.07
• DOI: 10.1177/1077695815623663
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-6958

Abstract

Rankings of universities and colleges are common and controversial. However, few rankers produce useful lists that assess and compare journalism and mass communications programs. The few currently available involve superficial reputational surveys or are less than transparent about their methodology. To determine potential criteria for a useful ranking, this article reports the results of a survey of administrators and educators in a broad cross-section of such programs. The survey finds broad support among respondents for the idea of ranking and, further, details criteria that respondents said they would find useful in developing a ranked list of programs.