The master's degree in journalism prepares students for professional success in news outlets, digital and social media platforms, and corporate communications.
The program offers two options, both of which are designed for students with limited academic or professional experience in journalism.
The professional practice option is for students who wish to focus on quickly obtaining advanced journalistic skills. It can be completed with as few as 30 credits and in as little as two semesters plus a summer.
The area of expertise option is for students wishing not only to acquire advanced journalistic skills, but also to complement them with an area of expertise, such as environmental science and policy. This option can be completed with a minimum of 36 credits and in four semesters.
Regardless of option, the degree's focus is on multimedia training and experience. Students develop skills in information-gathering, storytelling and analysis across a variety of platforms and professional contexts, including video, online interactivity, social media, photography and, of course, the printed word. They produce in-depth reporting projects in collaboration with professional media outlets in Colorado, and they complete internships at award-winning radio and television stations, newspapers, magazines, websites and other news organizations nationwide.
Requirements
Application Guidelines
Applicants to the MA in journalism must:
- Hold at least a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university
- Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75
- International applicants must also have a TOEFL score of at least 600 (IBT 100)
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Provide a 500-word statement of purpose
- Provide a resume
Program Requirements
Professional Practice Option
This option can be completed with a minimum of 30 credits and in as little as two semesters plus a summer.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| JRNL 5001 | Media Technology Boot Camp | 3 |
| JRNL 5011 | Newsgathering and Multimedia Storytelling 1 | 3 |
| JRNL 5521 | Data Journalism | 3 |
| JRNL 5651 | Journalism Law & Ethics | 3 |
| JRNL 5572 | News Corps | 3 |
| Journalism Electives | ||
| Select two or three elective courses in journalism. (JRNL courses at the 5000, 6000, 7000 or 8000 level.) | 6 | |
| CMDI Electives | ||
| Select two elective courses outside journalism, but within CMDI. (Includes courses at the 5000, 6000, 7000 or 8000 level in APRD, CMDP, COMM, IAWP, INFO or MDST.) | 6 | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| JRNL 5851 | Graduate Professional Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | May be waived depending on the student's professional experience. |
Area of Expertise Option
This option can be completed with a minimum of 36 credits and in four semesters.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| JRNL 5001 | Media Technology Boot Camp | 3 |
| JRNL 5011 | Newsgathering and Multimedia Storytelling 1 | 3 |
| JRNL 5521 | Data Journalism | 3 |
| JRNL 5651 | Journalism Law & Ethics | 3 |
| JRNL 5572 | News Corps | 3 |
| Journalism Electives | ||
| Select two elective courses in journalism. | 6 | |
| CMDI Electives | ||
| Select four elective courses in the chosen area of expertise. | 12 | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| JRNL 5851 | Graduate Professional Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
| 1 | May be waived depending on the student's professional experience. |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify a good story idea and angle and to execute on it, reporting, writing, editing and otherwise developing it into a publishable story.
- Develop storytelling proficiency in one or more media platforms—print, audio, visual, video and social.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and moral foundations of journalism.
- Effectively produce a long-form or in-depth reporting project from original idea to final story.