Journalism Degree and Communications Graduate School Programs

Journalism degree graduate programs examine what it means to tell great stories and spread news effectively. Programs look at investigative reporting, digital media, video, layout, editing, and more. Some may be tailored to one area or one specific career in journalism, such as broadcast journalism graduate programs, magazine writing, or news reporting.

Journalism Graduate Programs

Others may be designed more broadly to look at multiple top areas of journalism and communication schools. Additionally, communications graduate degree programs could also offer a variety of best related focus areas like writing for business, marketing content, or studying film and media.

Why Consider Journalism and Communication Graduate Programs?

Journalism and communication graduate programs could help you learn to create articles of all kinds, from press releases to news editorials. In addition to writing, some programs also explore the editorial side of things. This could include print and layout or the business of running a publication.  Communications graduate programs, meanwhile, offer an alternative for students who want to write in contexts outside the news. These programs might focus on writing for things like business development, marketing, and social media, teaching the essentials of writing in a business context.

Or they may have an even broader approach, surveying writing and communicating in multiple fields, building a general base of communication skills in any area for students interested in a more holistic approach.

Best of all, with all the writing you might do in your communications journalism classes, you could develop a solid writing portfolio. This may help you showcase your skills and market yourself.

Communications and Journalism Graduate Programs Concentrations

Journalism and communication is a broad category, and the associated graduate programs are equally diverse. That means you could attend a program focused on the kind of writing you want to do. Here are a few examples of the cutting edge paths you might choose.

• Digital Media: Love creating web content? Some communications graduate programs may focus on digital media such as blogging, short form video, and social media. This could also include studying digital journalism, or earning a media journalism degree.
• Traditional Publications: Programs focused on print journalism cover the many aspects of writing for magazines and newspapers. They also often look at the editorial work that goes into publishing in these forms.
• Subject Specific: Maybe you’d prefer a program oriented around a subject you’re passionate about. Some may cover the rules of writing in a certain field, or help students build expertise in that area. For instance you could focus on writing for entertainment, politics or finance.
• Broadcast Journalism: From local access to cable news to internet video, broadcast journalism programs explore the ins and outs of writing and delivering news content on camera.

Not sure? Some communications and journalism graduate programs could teach you a little about all different types of writing, aiming to provide a broader foundation of expertise.

What are Communications and Journalism Graduate Programs Course Topics?

Communication and journalism graduate programs explore writing effectively in a variety of unique contexts. Some examples include reporting the everyday events of a community, writing about media, or using your flair for words to help a company get ahead.

Some course topics you might find in communication and journalism graduate programs could include the following.

• Investigative Reporting: Journalism graduate programs aim to teach how to write impactful stories. Courses may look at the writing process from concept to publication. That could include digital research and fact checking, finding and interviewing sources, and more methods of investigative reporting.
• Media Ethics & Law: Communications and journalism programs dedicate time to learning the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding the journalism industry and related fields. This could include policy, copyright law, protecting sources and first amendment rights.
• Multimedia Storytelling: Communication isn’t exclusive to print and broadcast journalism. From online video to blogs and social media, journalism has evolved to include a variety of platforms. Schools for journalism look at how to leverage these for highest impact.
• Editing & Layout: Journalism and written communication doesn’t just happen in a single draft. Learn how to edit effectively, and use a variety of multimedia, editing and layout software to share your projects in an engaging way.

These are only a few examples of topics journalism students might study. Remember that individual programs may vary! If you want to learn certain things, follow up with your selected journalism program to learn more about their course topics.

What are Types of Journalism Graduate Programs?

Whatever your preferred path, communication and journalism graduate programs may be found at three degree program levels: Communications and Journalism Masters Programs, PhD in Journalism and Communication Programs, and Communications and Journalism Graduate Certificate Programs.

Choosing your preferred journalism or communications graduate program could involve balancing a number of needs and goals. For example, your choice of schools might be impacted by professional experience. While some programs may be designed primarily to serve those new to journalism altogether, others may have more experienced students in mind. Then there’s the type of writing you want to do and the other skills you might like to develop.

• Communications and Journalism Masters Programs may provide a broader overview of great writing and reporting. Some programs may be designed for those just starting out in journalism. Others might be more suited to experienced writers. You could choose a program that builds a strong journalistic base, or hone your expertise in a specific arena.
• PhD in Journalism and Communication Programs might involve more in depth study, with a number of different objectives in mind. Doctoral programs may seek to hone writing and editing skills and knowledge. Or you could work to build industry expertise to support the pursuit of leadership positions. Programs may also vary in their approach. Some might focus on using your communications chops in the field. Others, on the other hand, may look at mass communications from a more academic angle.
• Communications and Journalism Graduate Certificate Programs are generally relatively short compared to degree programs. That could allow students to focus on the journalism skills and knowledge they really want to learn, and earn a credential more quickly. Some might incorporate masters-level courses, while other programs may be post-masters.

Communications & Journalism Graduate Program Formats

No matter what communications and journalism graduate program level you’re looking at, you still have to make sure the program you pick fits into your life. Do you want to go full time, dedicating your full attention to your classes? Or do you want a more flexible program, so that you could not only study writing, but also do it on the job every day? Do you prefer meeting your teacher in the classroom? Or attending class from your home office?

Graduate Programs in Journalism – Online and On-Campus

Luckily, communication graduate programs may be offered in a variety of formats to accommodate those preferences.

• Journalism Graduate Schools offer face-to-face learning in the classroom. You could work in person with your instructors and peers, workshopping your stories together and learning from each other’s experience. Plus, getting to know your fellow current and aspiring journalists could be a valuable networking opportunity. Some graduate schools offer flexible scheduling options to help you balance your writing career and education effectively.
• Online Communications Programs leverage technology to offer a flexible digital graduate education option. Online programs may allow you to study communication and journalism from the comfort of your own laptop—when and where works for you! As a budding journalist, this could allow you to chase that story, without sacrificing your academics to do it. Plus, you’d gain additional experience interacting with content in the digital space, allowing you to see your digital media education in action.
• Hybrid Journalism Graduate Programs are also sometimes called blended, partially online, or low residency. Whatever the name, hybrid journalism schools aim to combine the benefits of face-to-face learning with the perks of online. Workshop and learn in a classroom, while still having the option to take online courses with you while you chase your next big story.

Apply to Communications and Journalism Graduate Programs Today!

If you’re ready to find your journalism graduate programs, don’t wait any longer to start searching! You could begin by reviewing the sponsored listings here. You might also narrow down your options, by selecting your preferred program level, format, or even location from the menu. Then read about the results that match your search criteria. When you find one you want, click on the name of the program. Then read more about it, and get in touch!

GradSchools.com offers 198 Journalism Degree