University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications


The College of Journalism and Communications is the journalism school of the University of Florida.

History

The college traces its origins to 1925 when the Department of Journalism was formed in Language Hall. Orland K. "O.K." Armstrong was the first head of the department. The first three journalism degrees were awarded in 1928.
The department moved into Buckman Hall, a renovated dormitory, in 1937.
Rae O. Weimer, the former managing editor at the New York City daily newspaper PM, began teaching in the Department of Journalism in 1949. In 1950, the journalism program was accredited, although it still had only "one classroom, no equipment and only two teachers." In late 1953, broadcasting was transferred to journalism, and the department became the School of Journalism and Communications.
In 1967, the school became a full-fledged college. Weimer was named the first dean; the current journalism building, Weimer Hall, is named for him.
From 1976 to 1994, Ralph Lowenstein served as dean and carried out the digital transformation of the college.
On July 1, 2021, Hub Brown assumed the role of Dean. Hub Brown was an associate dean and professor at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He succeeds Diane McFarlin, who retired after serving eight years in that role.

Research

The CJC was awarded $7 million in annual research expenditures in sponsored research for 2024.

Academics

The department comprises four departments:
The College of Journalism and Communications offers several Bachelor of Science in Journalism, , Advertising, and Public relations. It offers Master of Arts in Journalism, mass communications, and Advertising, along with Ph.D.