Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Reed College of Media
Department
Reed College of Media
Committee Chair
Bob Britten
Committee Member
Joseph Jones
Committee Member
Rob Quicke
Abstract
As society evolves, journalism does too, and many universities are experiencing a significant shift from traditional outlets such as radio to more modern, digital platforms. College radio is a common resource of journalism schools to practice and develop professional skills, but with budget cuts and a lack of continued support from the university, it can be presumed that college campuses might be trying to phase it out. While radio may not be the most booming outlet in the world of journalism today, college radio still possesses the opportunity for students to gain the proper skills for the professional world that translate to multiple other outlets for media. In this study, university students in a college radio program will be analyzed during a semester to track their progress and identify perceived benefits as an experiential learning opportunity for students. Qualitative methods will be utilized through a case study involving in-depth interviews and observations of students at work to examine how students are growing in the field of journalism and media, and their insights into how it is beneficial to them will be reported. The research will examine the perceived benefits and how what students are learning aligns with industry standards and needs . Aspiring journalists need valuable tools in the experiential learning process, and college radio being the subject of this research highlights how it serves as one of those tools to be ready for the industry following graduation.
Recommended Citation
Boggess, John, "The Importance of College Radio as an Experiential Learning Opportunity for Students" (2026). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 13422.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/13422