Environmental and Health Journalism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental and Health Journalism prepares students to investigate and communicate complex issues at the intersection of science, public health, and environmental sustainability. This program emphasizes rigorous reporting, ethical storytelling, and strategic communication to inform the public and influence policy on pressing global challenges.
- Science, Health, and the Environment: Explores the scientific foundations of environmental degradation and public health crises, equipping students to interpret data and translate technical information for broad audiences.
- Health Reporting Skills: Develops the ability to research, write, and verify stories on medical breakthroughs, disease outbreaks, healthcare systems, and wellness trends with accuracy and sensitivity.
- Environmental Policy Analysis: Focuses on understanding regulatory frameworks, climate change initiatives, and sustainability legislation to report on the political and social dimensions of environmental issues.
- Interactive Journalism: Teaches the use of digital tools and multimedia platforms to create dynamic, audience-engaging content through data visualization, storytelling apps, and web-based reporting.
- Video Journalism: Builds expertise in visual storytelling, including camera operation, editing, and narrative structure for compelling short-form and documentary-style content.
- Media Ethics and Communication Law: Addresses legal boundaries, journalistic integrity, privacy rights, and the responsibilities of reporters when covering sensitive topics in health and environmental fields.
- Integrated Marketing Communication: Examines how strategic messaging is crafted across channels to promote public awareness campaigns, nonprofit initiatives, and corporate sustainability efforts.
- Public Relations and Social Marketing: Covers techniques for shaping public perception and driving behavioral change through targeted campaigns on environmental conservation and health promotion.
- Persuasion and Political Communication: Analyzes how narratives are constructed to influence decision-makers and shape policy debates around science and environmental governance.
- Journalism Methods and Ethics: Provides a foundation in investigative techniques, source verification, fact-checking, and ethical decision-making in high-stakes reporting environments.
Environmental and Health Journalism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental and Health Journalism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental and Health Journalism degrees, including Communications Teachers, Postsecondary and News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 70,810 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 | $60,280 | $34,590 - $162,430 | 41,550 | $28.98 |
Environmental and Health Journalism Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,890 in Vermont to $109,805 in California—a 145% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 70,810 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Environmental and Health Journalism by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 2 institutions offering Environmental and Health Journalism programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Environmental and Health Journalism is found at The University of Montana (UM) (9 graduates), and Bennington College (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 10 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Master's
|
9 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental and Health Journalism programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental and Health Journalism degree?
Salaries for Environmental and Health Journalism graduates vary by role and location. Communications Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,800 annually, while News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn around $60,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $109,805 compared to $44,890 in Vermont. Approximately 70,810 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Environmental and Health Journalism programs?
Currently 2 accredited institutions offer Environmental and Health Journalism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Montana (UM) (9 graduates), Bennington College (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Environmental and Health Journalism degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, . Related occupations employ approximately 70,810 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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