A graduation cap morphing into a news screen with chaotic data streams, representing the evolution of journalism.

Is Journalism Education Losing Its Edge? The Debate Over Accreditation

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Elliot Brynn in Culture & Society August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Navigating the accreditation maze in journalism: What does it mean for the future of media professionals and are standards slipping?"


In the rapidly evolving landscape of media, the education of future journalists is under intense scrutiny. Discussions around voluntary program accreditation in higher education aren't typically exciting, but in the spring of 2017, Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications announced it would no longer seek accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). This decision sparked a significant debate about the relevance and effectiveness of current accreditation standards.

Medill's move wasn't an isolated incident. The University of California-Berkeley also recently announced it was letting its accreditation lapse. Berkeley dean Edward Wasserman supported accreditation for undergraduate programs but found the process unsuitable for his school's graduate program (Fain, 2017). These decisions raise critical questions: Are accreditation standards keeping pace with the industry's demands, or are they stifling innovation and adaptability?

The debate isn't just confined to a few institutions. Journalism educators worldwide closely monitor ACEJMC's developments because the organization has been a model for accreditation bodies in other countries. Additionally, eight institutions outside the United States are accredited by ACEJMC. That international expansion has caused the membership of ACEJMC to be stable. This has sparked an important question of whether journalism programs are truly ensuring quality, or merely adhering to compliance?

The Core Debate: Quality vs. Compliance in Journalism Programs

A graduation cap morphing into a news screen with chaotic data streams, representing the evolution of journalism.

Accreditation is a topic that is sure to spark lively debates among faculty of journalism programs. Several prominent journalism programs in the United States recently let their accreditation status lapse from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)—leading to renewed public debate about requirements and what it means to receive approval every six years. Journalism educators around the world are closely following the developments of ACEJMC because the organization has been used as a model for accreditation bodies in other countries.

The ACEJMC's standards aim to ensure that journalism programs provide students with a professionally focused education responsive to technological advances and economic shifts. The process fosters excellence by monitoring developments and providing a forum for educators and professionals. However, some argue that these standards can be overly rigid, hindering innovation and creativity—essential traits in today's fast-paced media environment. Are these standards genuinely enhancing the quality of journalism education, or simply enforcing a set of compliance measures?

  • Rigidity vs. Innovation: Some argue that ACEJMC's standards are too rigid, preventing programs from adapting quickly to changes in the industry.
  • Resource Intensive: The accreditation process can be expensive and time-consuming, putting a strain on smaller programs with limited resources.
  • Focus on Inputs vs. Outputs: Critics suggest ACEJMC focuses too much on “inputs” like faculty credentials and curriculum, and not enough on “outputs” like student learning and career readiness.
Despite these criticisms, many educators and industry professionals still see value in accreditation. It can enhance a program's reputation, attract students and faculty, and ensure a baseline level of quality. Accreditation also provides a framework for continuous improvement and helps programs stay aligned with industry best practices. However, the key question remains: Can accreditation strike a balance between maintaining standards and fostering innovation?

The Future of Journalism Education: Adapting to Change

The debate over accreditation reflects a larger challenge facing journalism education: How to prepare students for a rapidly changing industry while maintaining core values and standards. As technology evolves and new media platforms emerge, journalism programs must adapt their curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment strategies. Whether accreditation is part of the solution remains an open question, but it's clear that a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement is essential for the future of journalism education. Embracing change while upholding quality will be critical for shaping the next generation of media professionals.

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the role of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) and why is it significant?

The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) sets standards for journalism programs, aiming to ensure they provide a professionally focused education. Its significance lies in its influence, as it serves as a model for accreditation bodies globally and accredits institutions internationally. This role makes its developments of great interest to journalism educators worldwide. The ACEJMC's standards are designed to keep programs current with technological advancements and economic changes within the media landscape.

2

Why did Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications and University of California-Berkeley let their ACEJMC accreditation lapse?

Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications decided to no longer seek accreditation from the ACEJMC due to questioning the relevance and effectiveness of the accreditation standards. Similarly, the University of California-Berkeley let its accreditation lapse, with its dean finding the process unsuitable for their graduate program. These decisions highlight concerns about whether the ACEJMC's standards hinder innovation and adaptability within journalism programs.

3

What are the main criticisms against the ACEJMC accreditation process?

The criticisms against the ACEJMC accreditation process include that its standards can be overly rigid, potentially preventing programs from quickly adapting to industry changes. It is also considered resource-intensive, straining smaller programs. A further criticism is that the ACEJMC focuses too much on "inputs" like faculty credentials and curriculum, rather than "outputs" such as student learning and career readiness. These criticisms suggest a need for the ACEJMC to balance maintaining standards with fostering innovation.

4

How does the debate over ACEJMC accreditation reflect broader challenges in journalism education?

The debate over ACEJMC accreditation mirrors the larger challenge of how to prepare students for a rapidly changing industry while preserving core values and standards. This debate encompasses the need for journalism programs to adapt their curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment strategies in response to technological advancements and the emergence of new media platforms. The central question revolves around whether accreditation can effectively balance maintaining standards while also fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

5

What are the potential benefits of maintaining accreditation through the ACEJMC?

Despite the criticisms, maintaining accreditation through the ACEJMC can enhance a journalism program's reputation, attracting more students and faculty. It ensures a baseline level of quality, which can be a key factor for prospective students and employers. Accreditation provides a framework for continuous improvement, helping programs align with industry best practices. These advantages underscore the importance of accreditation in the evolving landscape of journalism education, while acknowledging the need for balancing standards with innovation.

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