With the emergence of digital technology, the continuously evolving journalism, and the increasing variety of skills that journalists must acquire, journalism education in China, the source of journalism talent, is undergoing unprecedented reforms. Universities offering journalism programs need to adapt their curricula more quickly to meet the requirements of the developing journalism. This study focuses on the transformations within contemporary Chinese journalism education—both the changes that have been implemented and still required. This study analyses the journalism curricula of leading universities in northern China and in conjunction with interviews from journalism educators, highlights that Chinese journalism education has developed a curriculum pattern focused on teaching foundational knowledge and skills in journalism, while also emphasizing the cultivation of interdisciplinary knowledge and digital skills. China's future journalism programs must continuously adapt based on journalism practices to ensure that the knowledge and skills taught in universities do not become obsolete. The findings of this study indicate technology factors will increasingly be reflected in future journalism curricula, making courses related to digital technologies a critical adaptation to the evolving media landscape. Additionally, universities enhancing collaboration with media organizations by establishing media laboratories and sharing faculty resources is also a significant measure in the future reforms of journalism education.
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