Masters in Journalism & Communications Graduate Programs

Why Consider Masters in Journalism Programs ?

Pursuing a masters in journalism might be a top choice for students with a passion for breaking news and crafting interesting media pieces. Journalism masters programs could build upon the strong communications foundation you may have established in an undergraduate program.

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The advanced coursework might not only develop your writing and reporting capabilities, but also potentially help jumpstart a career in the media industry. Whether you’re already a member of the press, or just taking your first steps into the field, a masters in journalism could be the best push you need to take your reporting to the next level.

Journalism Master's Programs Curriculum

A masters in journalism might develop your knowledge and skills to help share news with the public across a variety of mediums. Unlike the past, journalism isn’t limited to print media. In fact, many people now receive their news from online outlets and TV. While journalism masters programs might have been commonly tied to written pieces, today students may also work with newer technologies such as social media, digital broadcasting or podcasting. No matter which medium you choose, schools could stress key communications concepts such as:

• Strategic Communication
• Global Communication
• Research Methods
• Data Analysis
• Writing
• History of Journalism

These are just a few examples of topics you might engage with while earning your masters in journalism degree. Courses may vary by institution. Check with intended programs for more information.

Finding a Perfect Masters Degree in Journalism

Journalism masters degrees may be offered by a wide array of programs. Depending on the school, degrees may be available as a specific journalism concentration or as part of a more general communications program. While communications programs also touch on broad media concepts, both types of programs engage with journalism strategies and techniques. Some degree programs you could encounter include the following.

• A master of science in communication might emphasize the analytical side of journalism. Courses could offer students the opportunity to develop a methodological foundation to engage with news statistics and analysis.
• A Master of Arts in Communication is a more general communication degree. During this program, you might study things like social media, marketing, and advertising, in addition to journalism. This may be a great choice for students who want to work with multiple news platforms like online broadcasting or blogging.
• A Master of Communication Management focuses on what happens behind the scenes. This degree may expand your understanding of media strategies. For example, you could learn more about creating dynamic news campaigns. This might be a great program to develop skills and knowledge potentially necessary to pursue a managerial position.

Masters in Journalism Requirements

Degree offerings and specifics vary by institution. Depending on the chosen program and course load, students could potentially earn a degree in 1.5 to 2 years.

Students applying to these programs may be required to submit a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. However unlike other graduate degrees, journalism masters programs may not require students to submit GRE scores along with their application. This could be a valuable timesaver, especially if you’re currently working or studying while applying for programs. Instead, schools commonly require students to submit letters of recommendation or portfolios of previous work.

Masters in Journalism Degree Formats

Students pursuing journalism masters programs may be concerned about how to fit their education into their already busy schedule. To accommodate this, schools may offer degree programs in different formats to better address the unique needs of their students. Depending on your routine and learning style, you could consider one of the following degree formats.

• On-campus journalism masters programs may offer structured, weekly course schedules. This orderly timeline could be a great backbone to your current schedule. Since class times remain the same each week, you could potentially plan any conflicts around it. This might be a great feature for students who work odd hours or freelance outside of school. Additionally, communication industry positions sometimes rely heavily on networking opportunities. What better way to meet others in your industry than working with them in class! Your peers could be your first professional contacts after graduation.
• Online journalism masters programs may offer a more flexible scheduling option. Students could log into courses as their routine permits. This could be after work, on the weekends, or even in the middle of the night! This might be important to students who are already in the journalism industry and are working during traditional class times. Also, since these programs are online, it eliminates commuting! Once again, this might prove invaluable to journalism professionals who travel for work. Or, it might just be a great chance to go to school from the comfort of your living room! Plus you’ll likely gain experience with digital communications and technology – a potential benefit should you choose to pursue a career in digital journalism.
• Hybrid journalism masters programs combine the convenience of the online program with the potential benefits of a physical campus. Some hybrid programs might even allow students to adjust their course schedule to fit their lifestyle. For example, imagine that upcoming news cycle might be particularly demanding at your job. In that case, you could take online classes when you have a free moment or are traveling. When things get calmer at work, you could then head into the classroom for traditional classes. This way, you’re potentially not missing any of the graduate experience!

Continuing Journalism Education

While many students may choose to complete their education with a masters in journalism, some continue on to pursue a doctoral degree. Unlike other degree programs, doctoral programs often require students to submit previous graduate coursework to apply. This could make it the logical next step after earning a masters degree! Besides admissions requirements, doctoral programs may also build on masters coursework. Earning a doctorate in journalism could be a great opportunity for you to engage with advanced subjects in ethical journalism, advertising theory, and cultural communications. Some degrees you could pursue might include the below.

• PhD in Communications
• PhD in Media Institutions and Politics
• PhD in Communications Media and Instructional Technology.

These are only a few degrees you might pursue after earning a masters in journalism. For more information about potential doctoral programs, visit the journalism doctorates page.

Post-Graduation Opportunities for a Masters in Journalism

The skills and knowledge you may develop in a journalism masters program could be applicable to a variety of careers. Specifically, these programs may prepare you to jumpstart a career as a:

• Writer or Author^[i]
• Reporter or Correspondent^[ii]

These professions may pull directly from the writing skills, crisis management, and media savviness developed in journalism masters programs. While these professions may require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, a masters degree might enhance your chances of taking on a more prominent role. Or, a masters program could be a great way to develop the skills and knowledge potentially necessary to enter this lively industry. Students pursuing these careers could potentially earn a median salary of $67,120 (Source: BLS.gov) and $49,300 (Source: BLS.gov), respectively, per year.

Find a Perfect Masters in Journalism Program Today!

With this information, you’ve made a great start to finding perfect journalism masters program. Continue down this page to browse a list of prospective programs. To refine your list, select your preferred degree format from the menu on this page. Find a program you’re interest in? Click its associated link to read a short description about the program. While there, click the “request info” button for more information. Good luck finding a perfect masters in journalism program!

^{Sources: [i]bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm | [ii]bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/reporters-correspondents-and-broadcast-news-analysts.htm}

Schools with Journalism Masters

GradSchools.com offers 186 Masters in Journalism