Program Overview

MA: Journalism

The master's degree in journalism prepares students for professional success in news outlets, digital and social media platforms, and corporate communications.

Program Options

• 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 is designed for students with limited academic or professional expertise in journalism. This option can be completed with a minimum of 36 credits and in four semesters.

Program Structure

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.

Coursework

Both options begin with a three-week Media Technology Bootcamp course that takes place during the Augmester (the three weeks before the fall semester begins later in August).

Application Deadlines

• US applicants: January 15
• International applicants: December 1

Program Details

• The program is designed for students with limited academic or professional experience in journalism.
• The degree offers two choices: the Professional Practice Option and the Area of Expertise Option.
• Students develop skills in multimedia training and experience.
• The program includes internships at award-winning media outlets.
• The program can be completed in as little as two semesters plus a summer (Professional Practice Option) or four semesters (Area of Expertise Option).