Best Master's in Journalism Programs

Unsurprisingly, the most typical undergraduate major for students entering graduate programs in journalism is Bachelor of Arts or Science in Journalism. English and communications are two other common academic backgrounds for graduate students in the field. Whether through writing or speech, each of these disciplines has a strong focus on gathering, analyzing, and repurposing information. A bachelor's degree in journalism has a higher chance of being multimedia-oriented, though skills picked up in English and communications courses like concision and understanding one's audience can be helpful whether one intends to work in newsprint or produce videos.

Most master's programs in journalism require students to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; this undergraduate degree doesn't typically need to be in journalism. Many programs expect applicants to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, though some institutions do not. The need for GREs and other exams varies between schools as well. Some master's programs in journalism will want those applying to have some measure of experience in the field. The amount of experience differs between programs. While it is not always necessary to be considered, such experience will improve an applicant's chances of getting admitted. Beyond these, as with other graduate programs, colleges and universities will generally ask interested students for two to three letters of recommendation, a resume, work samples, an application essay, and an interview.

Journalism is an ideal profession for people who want to spread knowledge to the public at large. This can take many forms depending on one's area of interest. Investigative journalism is best suited to those who like interviewing others, sifting through records, and connecting the dots. While beats differ, these core skills are transferable across most types of reporting. For instance, sports reporters have a different area of focus but tend to rely on the same fundamentals. No matter what someone is passionate about, there is likely a job where they can immerse themselves in their interest, report on it, then bring the attention of it to a wider audience.

While entry-level writers, reporters, editors, and content producers usually only need a bachelor's degree, having a master's can help applicants stand out from the competition. Many job markets in the industry are seeing a decline in openings, so bolstering one's resume with a master's should increase one's employability. Some positions also accept time spent studying as equivalent to job experience. Whether one is looking to better prepare for a competitive job market or is already in the workforce and wants to keep up with a rapidly changing field, a master's in journalism can offer a solution.

When comparing different master's programs in journalism prospective students should pay close attention to their courses and concentrations. While foundational courses are relatively similar between journalism degrees, programs do not always offer the same specialist courses and electives. For instance, those who wish to become editors ought to look for curricula that contain editing classes and those who'd like to pursue sports journalism might look for a program with a concentration in this area. A program with a politics track will help would-be congressional reporters far more than one with no connection to the subject. Students who know what area of journalism they want to work in should also prioritize master's programs with concentrations that match their interests.

Other criteria to consider include:

• Affordability
• Flexibility, especially for professionals already in the field
• Internships/hands-on experiences
• Faculty with experience in the field

Another important factor is accreditation. The premier accrediting agency for journalism and communications is the Accreditation Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

The types of courses master's programs in journalism offer are not so different from those one might find while pursuing a bachelor's degree. What differentiates the two is depth; as one would expect, master's level coursework delves deeper into journalistic subjects than undergraduate programs. Such coursework also tends to more heavily emphasize real-world experience through things like internships. If a graduate student was focusing on science reporting, a class might embed them with a group of researchers to learn the ins and outs of their profession. Master's degrees in journalism sometimes tie their thesis requirements into experiences like these, though they can also be stand-alone courses.

Journalism Foundational Courses

Research is one of the pillars of journalism. In the past, this was limited to interviews and public records, but nowadays the internet has given journalists a whole new avenue of investigation. Courses in journalism cover both the tried and true methods of digging up information as well as more modern ones that rely on digital footprints. Because such investigations can benefit or harm individuals or entire groups, journalists have a lot of responsibility to act ethically and legally. Beyond learning about slander and libel, journalists also take courses that prepare them for today's multimedia landscape. Classes like these cover topics ranging from audio engineering to video production. Examples of the above include:

• Journalism Theory and Practice
• Ethics and Law of Journalism
• Foundations of Video Journalism
• Publication Design
• Introduction to Audio Journalism
• Survey of Research Methods

Journalism Specialist & Elective Courses

Specialized and elective coursework in journalism gives students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skill set. News takes many forms and tackles a range of topics, so it makes sense that master's programs would have a variety of specialist courses. Electives can teach broader subjects that are applicable to different kinds of journalists, like with courses in visual literacy. Alternatively, a specialist course focus on a single profession, such as with classes geared toward a career in photojournalism. Where concentrations require large time commitments, specialist courses allow students to try out various areas of journalism and see what appeals to them.

Licensure & Certification in Journalism

In the United States, journalists do not need a license to practice their craft and certifications don't play a huge role in this industry. One exception may be the field of journalism education. For graduates of master's programs who want to pursue a career in teaching, the Journalism Education Association offers two levels of certification: Certified Journalism Educator (CJE) and Master Journalism Educator (MJE).

In academia, journalistic concentrations can be grouped into two categories: format and subject matter. The first group focuses on the type of media students will be looking to produce post-graduation, such as video broadcasts or magazines. The second group centers around topics like health and science or domestic politics and foreign affairs. Some colleges and universities have both kinds of concentrations, some offer only one, and some limit these areas to specific classes. Examples of concentrations at this level include science, magazine, politics and sports media.

Students who have a good idea of where they want to take their career ought to prioritize institutions that offer concentrations, as these distinct pathways can give them a leg up over their peers in whatever kind of journalism they wish to pursue.

After earning either a Master of Arts (MA) in Journalism or a Master of Science (MS) in Journalism, a student who wishes to continue their education has one main option: doctoral programs. Doctorates in journalism are pursued out of academic interest and by those who wish to teach the subject at a collegiate level or get involved in research. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Journalism programs cater to both of these intentions by revolving around the production of research with either a dissertation or thesis. Unlike some other fields, journalism has relatively few post-graduate certificates offered by colleges and universities.

• Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) is a national organization started by reporters for reporters. IRE grants members access to an array of tipsheets, exclusive databases, and investigative reporting software. All of this makes it easier to understand, collect, and filter through the data necessary to write compelling investigative pieces. The IRE Journal is another perk that members receive for free.
• Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is an international organization for journalists who write, edit, and report on the environment. SEJ aids journalists who cover environmental issues via its SEJournal Online and through annual conferences featuring scientists, government officials, and environmental advocates. SEJ also has awards and grants for journalists who go above and beyond in reporting on the environment.
• National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a national organization dedicated to helping black journalists and the wider community. NABJ's mission is to further the equity and equality of black people in the United States both inside and outside of the newsroom. It works toward this goal by hosting career fairs with networking opportunities aimed at current and prospective black journalists and through advocacy that calls for fairer media representation of black people and the issues surrounding them.

An MA or MS in journalism can be used to improve one's prospects within the field or to make a career change. A bachelor's in journalism is sufficient for most entry-level positions at news outlets, but having more experience affords job seekers the chance to bargain for better starting salaries and increases the odds of bonuses and promotions for job holders.

As for would-be professors, a PhD is the standard for most universities, though many community colleges will hire those with a master's degree. Alternatively, one could use an MA or MS to transition from a non-news career to one in journalism. Many technical beats like law and the sciences are complex and can benefit from reporters with backgrounds in these areas. If one grows tired of a more technical career but still wishes to make a living off some aspect of it they could always aim to become a staff writer or reporter in their area of expertise. While a master's degree is not necessary to make this shift, it can make the candidate more appealing to potential editors.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Journalism

An education in newspaper journalism and journalism programs for media reporters no longer open as many doors as they once did. Many of the more traditional positions within journalism, such as at newspapers and cable news stations, are seeing contractions as preferences for new media content push out older models. While televised news is likely to remain a mainstay in larger local and national markets, internet outlets have been cutting into the margins of televised news and the press for years. Certain jobs, like writing, can directly transfer to another platform, but some positions do not neatly translate to the new media ecosystem. For example, online news does not have as great a need for correspondents, though this does not mean that the need for on-screen talent has gone away. A majority of the skills journalists attain in academia are still relevant in our modernizing media landscape, but job titles will change, and depending on the size of a news outlet, journalists may have to take on more roles than they would in a print or television news operation.

How to Become a Reporter

Reporters are the ones who get in front of the camera and give the play-by-play at the scenes of crimes, accidents, and other notable events. When people think of reporters they typically picture those in broadcast, but reporting jobs also exist in radio and online. In addition to being able to speak in front of a camera, reporters need strong fundamentals as journalists as they are responsible for researching their own stories. Most pieces of reporting require one or more interviews, and thus good communications skills are called for as well. Reporters generally need a relevant bachelor's degree, but an MA or MS in journalism may help improve job prospects.

Reporters make about $46,270 a year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and employment is expected to drop by 11% from 2019-2029. On a state-by-state level, reporters can anticipate the highest annual salaries in Washington, New York, New Hampshire, California, and Vermont, with Washington's average topping the list at $49,004 by ZipRecruiter's estimate. States with well-established news ecosystems and larger broadcast markets tend to pay better wages.

How to Become an Editor

Editors are in charge of journalists, their output, and maintaining the writing standards at news organizations. Whether at a newspaper, cable channel, or website, chances are there are editors behind the scenes ensuring that writers meet their deadlines and that their work is cleaned up prior to publication. Depending on the type of editor, one might also assign stories to specific journalists and have a say in their publication's layout. Well-edited news presents information that is clear, concise, and does not call attention to itself. Given these needs, editors have to be both leaders and extremely competent writers with strong grammar and style, and a deep understanding of their news product's audience. A bachelor's in journalism, English, or communications is often sufficient as far as degrees go, but most editing positions also look for several years of experience. A master's in journalism may count toward this second criterion.

The BLS reports a median annual salary of $61,370 for editors and projects the number of jobs in the field to shrink by 7% from 2019-2029. On average, Washington, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia offer the highest yearly salaries for editors, with Washington typically offering the most at around $58,147 according to ZipRecruiter. Competitive markets and larger news outlets tend to drive up wages.

One of the first places most people look for tuition assistance is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible to apply for federal student aid students have to attend institutions that have been accredited by an outside authority approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education.

State and local governments sometimes award grants and scholarships to students in specific disciplines. Searching the website of the relevant department of education is one way of finding such opportunities. Another is the Scholarship Finder offered by CareerOneStop and the U.S. Department of Labor. Scholarship Finder is a database of awards, fellowships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance that students can search through while considering their specific situation and needs. Scholarships are typically need- or merit-based (and sometimes both), meaning applicants are often asked to demonstrate financial need, display high academic achievement and show off their work in the community.