Journalism, MA
36 credit hours
This degree was added after publishing per the addendum.**
Program Description
The MA in Journalism provides students with a firm foundation in critical theories and trends, as well as the practical application and problem solving involved in broadcast and print. Students are exposed to various approaches in the field, provided with the history and ethics of journalism, guiding principles, and its role in a global society. News gathering and story composition techniques are applied to print, broadcast, and electronic media.
A graduate student in the School of Arts, Media, and Communications may take only one tutorial or independent study course and may enroll in a maximum of nine graduate credit hours per semester. A student may not receive graduate credit for any course designated as a dually-enrolled course, if that student received credit for the undergraduate version of that course.
Admission Requirements
Applications are initially reviewed by the director of graduate admissions. Once admitted to the university, the applicant is to provide the additional required materials to the director of graduate programs and appropriate graduate program manager for an interview.
In addition to the requirements of all graduate students, applicants to the School of Arts, Media, and Communications should complete and/or submit the following:
• Transcripts demonstrating completion of undergraduate degree in related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all major coursework.
• The official results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if GPA is below 3.0.
• Three letters of recommendation submitted through school portal.
• 1,000-word Statement of Purpose describing applicant’s goals.
• Specific deliverables depending on area of study, such as a writing sample and/or portfolio of work, brought to on-campus interview.
*If one or more of the preceding requirements are not met, requests can be made for Conditional Admit Status.
Completion Options
Non-Thesis/Applied Project Option
The applied project allows students with a professional focus to apply the theories and research methods of their field in a professional setting or in a final product or series of products. Projects may take different forms, but all students produce some form of material on behalf of an organization or field of practice. Students pursuing the non-thesis/applied project option document their progress and product for final review by their thesis committee. See the chair of the program for more information.
Thesis Option
The thesis involves the creation of an original piece of scholarship relevant to the field of study that investigates an aspect of that field, professional area or organization. Students evaluate the state of the field in existing research on their topic area and then develop a research question to investigate. Over the course of the program, students investigate their topic and refine their thesis, which is written the final two semesters and reviewed by their thesis committee. See the chair of the program for more information.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum
Specialized coursework
A MA in Journalism requires the completion of COM 24200 Basic Reporting or the demonstration of basic journalistic skills and knowledge of communications law. In addition to the core courses, the degree requires 18 credit hours chosen from among the following options: