MA in Journalism

The graduate program in Journalism prepares students to be thoughtful, ethical, and informed news professionals. The program focuses on the professional skills needed to practice quality journalism in the increasingly cross-media environment of news, and on the critical skills needed to assess the news profession. It includes both classroom training and opportunities for field experiences through internships and applied projects. The curriculum provides students with theoretical and applied foundations in the areas of writing, reporting, editing, and research in journalism, and is enhanced by courses in law and ethics, new media, and the business aspects of journalism.

All students in the program enroll in a convergence-centered core curriculum that requires students to conceive, report, and write stories for delivery across multiple news media. After completing this common, cross-media experience in their first semester, students enroll in courses that enable them to acquire a “key competency” – a professional foundation – in either print and multimedia journalism or broadcast journalism. Through elective offerings, they can also develop further skills in either producing the news for other media or in building expertise in specialized areas of journalistic interest such as public affairs reporting, business reporting, and cultural affairs reporting. Hands-on work in the classroom is complemented by internships in the field and applied projects, and is grounded in and informed by courses that explore the history and theory of journalism. Most students end their studies by participating in a rigorous, portfolio based culminating course that requires the completion of a body of work of professional quality. Students can request permission to substitute a thesis or long-form project for this culminating course.

The master’s degree in journalism at Emerson College is demanding. Each course may require 10 to 15 hours of homework outside of class each week. Students enrolling in three courses (or two courses totaling 12 credits their first semester) are urged to limit outside work commitments to no more than 25 hours a week and to set aside at least a day during conventional working hours for interviewing and research that is integral to completing assignments. All students are expected to enter the program with a firm grasp of written and spoken English. Students also may be required by instructors to seek weekly individualized tutoring or support sessions.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in Journalism requires the completion of 44 credit hours, including a 4-credit culminating course or 4 credit hours for the master’s project or master’s thesis.

Core Requirements *

*Students with an undergraduate degree in Journalism may be eligible to waive JR 600 or JR 604 and substitute an elective course(s) if they completed equivalent undergraduate courses within the last 5 years with a grade of B or better. Students who believe they are eligible for a waiver(s) should see the Graduate Program Director in Journalism.

Key Competencies (8 credits)

Electives (12 credits)

Students can choose a mix of elective courses from three areas. Conceptual electives provide an analytical and/or theoretical perspective on the news media. Cross-media electives require only that students have successfully completed JR 600. In some (but not all) of these classes students can prepare assignments for more than one medium. Advanced electives require students to complete additional prerequisites before they can enroll.

Courses from other departments may also be selected with the approval of the Graduate Program Director in Journalism.

Culminating Experience

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the portfolio-based capstone course as their culminating experience of their master’s program at Emerson. Students who wish instead to complete a research study may enroll in the master’s thesis with the submission of a research proposal and approval of the Graduate Program Director.