Master’s Degree

A journalism student interviews journalism alumna Taylor Rooks for a campus feature story.

Master’s Degree

1-Year Graduate Degree Program

Graduate study in the Department of Journalism comprises a dynamic and practical series of courses that prepare graduates for jobs in digital media and newsrooms. Complement your area of expertise with journalistic skills for communicating with the public. Take coursework in data visualization, multimedia, science journalism and more. Students from any academic background are welcome. A bachelor’s degree in journalism is not required. 

Customize your curriculum to advance your career

The Master of Science in Journalism (MS) program is designed to meet the goals of three types of students:

  1. Students who have recently earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field and want to explore a specific type of journalism in greater depth
  2. Mid-career journalists who want to expand their professional skills in science, technology, data, investigative or immersion journalism
  3. Students who seek to complement their expertise in other areas (including but not limited to science, technology, engineering, and math) with journalistic skills for communicating with the public

Strong career opportunities

Our faculty are internationally esteemed practitioners and scholars who offer instruction in a wide range of media subjects and skills, including investigative and immersion journalism, data analysis and visualization, science writing, social media, business reporting, and diversity and ethics in media. Students also have access to the resources of a top research university, such as the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

Students will build a strong personal portfolio including projects that are published and aired through an array of award-winning professional newsrooms overseen by the department and carried by regional, national, and international outlets.


In-Person, Hybrid, and Online Options

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ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM

The MS in Journalism degree prepares you for the rapid changes taking place in newsroom and digital media. Take coursework in multimedia, investigative and immersion journalism and business reporting. You have the opportunity to work on professional news platforms and explore a topic in depth in your master’s project. 

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HYBRID/ONLINE FOCUS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRACK

The curriculum with the focus on science and technology journalism complements your scientific expertise with journalistic skills for communicating with the public. Take coursework in science and data journalism, video storytelling, and augmented and virtual reality. Examine the science of genomics and its applications to environment, health, and technology.