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
  • Have a GRE verbal score of at least 153 (62%). 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.

Required Courses
JRNL 5001Media Technology Boot Camp3
JRNL 5011Newsgathering and Multimedia Storytelling 13
JRNL 5521Data Journalism3
JRNL 5651Journalism Law & Ethics3
JRNL 5572News Corps3
Journalism Electives
Select two or three elective courses in journalism. (JRNL courses at the 5000, 6000, 7000 or 8000 level.)6
CMCI Electives
Select two elective courses outside journalism, but within CMCI. (Includes courses at the 5000, 6000, 7000 or 8000 level in APRD, CMDP, COMM, IAWP, INFO or MDST.)6
Capstone Course
JRNL 5851Graduate Professional Project3
Total Credit Hours30

Area of Expertise Option

This option can be completed with a minimum of 36 credits and in four semesters.

Required Courses
JRNL 5001Media Technology Boot Camp3
JRNL 5011Newsgathering and Multimedia Storytelling 13
JRNL 5521Data Journalism3
JRNL 5651Journalism Law & Ethics3
JRNL 5572News Corps3
Journalism Electives
Select two elective courses in journalism.6
CMCI Electives
Select four elective courses in the chosen area of expertise.12
Capstone Course
JRNL 5851Graduate Professional Project3
Total Credit Hours36