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. 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.i,ii 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 $60,250i and $37,720ii, respectively, per year.
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
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