Program Overview

Master of Science in Journalism

The Master of Science in Journalism (MSJ) degree is a STEM-designated program structured to give students the skills and training needed to help them launch their careers in journalism, media, communications, and other industries all over the world. A STEM-designated program is an academic program that falls under at least one of the categories approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Program Overview

The MSJ program provides students with a solid foundation in the principles of modern journalism and then allows them the flexibility to select a specialization area that matches their interests and career goals. Students can choose from various specializations, including:

• Health, Environment & Science: Follow your passion for medicine, healthcare, science, and the environment as you pursue stories anywhere in the world, from medical research labs to environmental hot spots.
• Media Management and Leadership: Combine your love of journalism with your entrepreneurial spirit and learn how to lead, launch, or build digital media businesses.
• Medill Investigative Programs: Work side-by-side with veteran journalists on investigations of national importance. The investigative skills you learn in these specializations will serve you well in your career, no matter what area of journalism you pursue.
• Politics, Policy, and Foreign Affairs: Learn to cover politics and policy and the latest in foreign affairs as a credentialed reporter in the nation’s capital.
• Magazine: Learn how print and digital magazine content is assembled and published. Write, edit, and conceptualize stories and gain an understanding of strong narrative storytelling.
• Sports Media: Go beyond game coverage by learning to tackle commentaries, profiles, and analyses that sports fans love. Your training will take you onto the field and behind the scenes at sporting events.
• Video and Broadcast: Develop your skills in areas such as TV news, video storytelling, and documentary. Use state-of-the-art video equipment and studios to hone your craft.

Program Length and Location

The MSJ program is one year long and is located in Chicago, with easy access to journalists, many of whom are Medill alumni.

Career Opportunities

Medill graduates go on to work for top media outlets and companies. The program provides job search support from Medill Career Services, with workshops, networking events, and one-on-one coaching.

Faculty and Alumni

The MSJ program has a diverse and experienced faculty, including:

• Ava Thompson Greenwell, Professor
• Karen Springen, Assistant Professor
• J.A. Adande, Associate Professor and Director of Sports Journalism
• Craig Duff, Professor
• Elise De Los Santos, Lecturer
• Chris Benson, Associate Professor
• Ceci Rodgers, Assistant Professor and Director of Global Journalism Learning
• Arionne Nettles, Lecturer and Director of Audio Journalism Programming
• Jeremy Gilbert, Knight Professor in Digital Media Strategy

Notable alumni include:

• Pradnya Joshi (BSJ93, MSJ94), National Weekend Editor, The Washington Post
• Natasha Alford (MSJ14), Vice President of Digital Content & Senior Correspondent, theGrio
• Drake Hills (MSJ19), Sports Reporter, Tennessean
• Rahel Solomon (MSJ13), Correspondent, CNN
• Christine Brennan (BSJ80, MSJ81), Sports Columnist, USA Today

Student Work

Medill students have worked on various projects, including:

• Shadow Diplomats: The Global Threat of Rogue Diplomacy
• As Antarctic Fieldwork Ends, a Sexual Harassment Reckoning Looms
• Oh Canada! Fans follow countrymen to top of WM Phoenix Open leaderboard
• Chicago Organizations Look to Expand Mental Health Services, Diversify Available Therapists

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a Master’s in Journalism STEM certified? Yes, Medill’s Master of Science in Journalism (MSJ) degree is a STEM-designated program.
• How long is a Master’s in Journalism? On average, students take about 18 to 24 months to complete a Master’s degree. However, Medill’s Master of Science in Journalism (MSJ) degree program is one year.
• What’s the difference between an MA and an MS in Journalism? An MA is a Master of Arts and an MS is a Master of Science. Both graduate degrees differ in the topics and types of courses you take. The main difference between an MA and MS degree is that an MA applies to arts and humanities degrees and an MS applies to programs that may have more research and technical studies.