Business Journalism at SMU

Business journalism sits at the intersection of business, technology, politics, sports, fashion, the arts and virtually every other aspect of our society. As global markets evolve and emerging technologies reshape industries, skilled journalists and communicators who can explain complex financial and economic issues have never been more essential.

SMU offers one of the few undergraduate programs for business journalism in the United States. Students can select one of two tracks: The William J. O'Neil Program in Business Journalism for students also majoring or minoring at the Cox School of Business; or the Specialization in Business Journalism available to all Journalism majors. Both tracks prepare students to report on the forces shaping today's economy while developing a strong foundation in business, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Students learn to analyze complex topics, translate them into compelling stories for diverse audiences, and produce accurate, engaging journalism across digital, broadcast and emerging media platforms.

Through advanced reporting courses and hands-on projects, students apply what they learn by covering North Texas companies, regional economic trends and entrepreneurial ventures. Along the way, they build a unique set of analytical, reporting, and storytelling skills while also benefiting from opportunities to attend industry conferences and connect with an expanding national network of SMU alumni working as business journalists.

Students enrolled in either program are eligible for generous SMU scholarships courtesy of the late (SMU ’55) and the publication he founded, Investor’s Business Daily. Recent alumni have landed jobs at media organizations including Forbes, Bloomberg News, Investopedia, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as at financial and economic institutions including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Whether pursuing careers in business journalism or other communications roles, graduates leave the program prepared to explain the economic forces behind the headlines and help audiences better understand the world around them.

Requirements for the O’Neil Program in Business Journalism

This innovative interdisciplinary program includes courses in both the Division of Journalism and the Cox School of Business. In addition to the 40 credit hours required for the major in Journalism and/or Fashion Media, students wishing to participate in the O’Neil Program must complete a second major or minor in business as well as the following courses within the Division of Journalism:

  • A second business-focused JOUR elective such as JOUR 3355 - Media Entrepreneurship or JOUR 5309 - Topics in Business Journalism, or another course approved by petition.

Requirements for the

Any Journalism major can declare this specialization. As part of the 40 credit hours required for the major in Journalism, students must take the following business-focused courses: 

  • A second business-focused JOUR elective such as JOUR 3355 - Media Entrepreneurship or JOUR 5309 - Topics in Business Journalism, or another course approved by petition
  • A business-focused elective from disciplines outside the Cox School of Business (FM, CCPA, SOCI, ECO, HIST, or another elective approved by petition) 

For more information and details about either business journalism track, please contact Prof. Jake Batsell, the O’Neil Chair in Business Journalism, at jbatsell@smu.edu.

O’Neil Lecture Series

The William J. O’Neil Lecture Series in Business Journalism brings outstanding business journalism professionals to the SMU campus each spring. Past speakers have included , Diana B. Henriques of The New York Times, Eric Gillin of Condé Nast, Elise Hu of NPR and . The 2026 O’Neil Lecture featured Forbes Media executives Ali Jackson-Jolley and Jabari Young speaking on the topic of "."

O'neil Lecture 2026, Jabari Ali

2026 O'Neil Lecture with Jabari Young and Ali Jackson-Jolley