Mission Statement

The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is committed to providing its students with a high-quality and well-rounded education while emphasizing fairness, balance, accuracy, integrity and high ethical standards in their work as professionals in the field of journalism and communications. Couched in a strong liberal arts framework and grounded in the University's mission to develop graduates for professional leadership positions and scholarly service, the School's curriculum includes both theory and practice.

The School provides students with the fundamental skills inherent to journalism and communications that (1) stress thorough reporting, writing and critical inquiry and analysis of information for dissemination to publics in a diverse society, (2) advance the practice of journalism and communications with a sense of responsibility, and (3) contribute to the scholarly body of knowledge of journalism and communications. The educational program reaches beyond the classroom through partnerships with businesses and professional organizations.

The school values the creation of new knowledge, the enhancement of existing knowledge, and a faculty that exemplify both professional and academic scholarship. Along with the expectation of teaching excellence, faculty members provide professional and scholarly contributions to the journalism and communications' body of knowledge through research, and creative and/or professional activity.

The "Hampton Ethos" is steeped in high standards of social responsibility, ethical accountability, and personal integrity. This serves as a foundation for students developing and applying essential skills to build and shape a value system good for a lifetime of service. Consistent with the University's philosophy, the School embraces both freedom of expression and respect for self and others while rejecting deceptiveness and dishonesty.

The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is driven to continually refine through its graduates the role of media in a democratic society by advancing the free exchange of ideas and by seeking to add previously under-represented voices to the great national and global conversation. The School serves as a resource for media and communications professionals to share experiences and wisdom with our students and with each other, building stronger bridges of human relationships and understanding.