Samford University’s Brock School of Business and journalism and mass communication (JMC) Department announced today a unique partnership that allows JMC students who obtain a business minor as part of their JMC degree to remain at Samford with the opportunity to obtain an MBA over the course of the following year. One of only about 10 similar programs in the United States, this collaboration will allow JMC majors to graduate with both an MBA-JMC degree in five years.

“The goal with this is partnership is to give JMC students a better understanding of the business side of journalism, public relations and advertising,” said Bernie Ankney, chair of the journalism and mass communication department. “We hope when students graduate with this degree that they will look for jobs on the business side of journalism or even start their own businesses.”

Ankney added that the launch of this partnership comes at a good time with the recent trends and changes in the newspaper, magazine and other media businesses. “There are a number of public relations boutique firms that are now beginning to offer niche PR, media and marketing services in industry-specific areas to their clients,” he said. “The newspaper industry is on its way to becoming a smaller business that focuses on local news and that offers a whole range of media products to their subscribers and advertisers.”

“Being marketable in several different areas will be key for our JMC students who will be graduating and looking for jobs in the next four to five years,” said Howard Finch, dean of the Brock School of Business. “Knowing the principles of business and how to run a business also are key skills they will need in our ever-changing job market.”

About the Brock School of Business at Samford University:

Samford University’s Brock School of Business has a long history of achievements in business education. The university has offered degrees in business and commerce since 1922. In 1965, the School of Business was established to offer both bachelors and masters degrees in business. It was formally named the Brock School in 2007 for Birmingham banker and Samford trustee Harry B. Brock Jr., reflecting his long career in business and his commitment to high quality business and entrepreneurship education. The Brock School of Business holds AACSB Accreditation, the benchmark of quality worldwide and the most widely sought after standard of excellence by U.S. business schools.

About Samford’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department:

Samford University’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department offers degrees in print journalism, broadcastjournalism, public relations and advertising as well as an interdisciplinary minor in film-production, and classes in visual communication, including photojournalism. The JMC program has been recognized by the Southeast Journalism Conference as the “Best in the South” for its journalism, public relations, advertising, radio and television production, magazine production and online journalism coursework.