Program Overview

American Journalism (MA)

Overview

The American Journalism (MA) program is a 30-credit, fully remote master's program designed to train students for a thriving career as a journalist in today's economy. The program allows students to earn a graduate degree while building a portfolio of published work and forming relationships with mentors without leaving home.

Program Description

This program enables students to gain real-world experience by forming the masthead of a publication for which they work as reporters, editors, social media managers, copyeditors, and more. Collaborating remotely using the same tools as working journalists around the world, students edit each other's work, experience the challenges of the modern newsroom, and learn the opportunities of the news business. Upon completion of the program, students will be equipped to report stories, record podcasts, shoot and edit video, perform investigations, and write long-form features. Students are paired with a working journalist to serve as a mentor throughout their time in the program. This program can be done full-time or part-time.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation
• A non-refundable application fee

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 30 credits, including:

Major Requirements

• Writing Courses:
  • JOUR-GA 1220: Reporting the News (4 credits)
  • JOUR-GA 1230: Feature Writing (4 credits)
  • JOUR-GA 1270: Long Form Narrative (4 credits)
• Journalism Courses:
  • JOUR-GA 1210: Law and Ethics in American Journalism (4 credits)
  • JOUR-GA 1250: Investigative Reporting (4 credits)
  • JOUR-GA 1280: The Working Journalist (2 credits)

Electives

• Select two Journalism Electives (8 credits)

Additional Program Requirements

Capstone

Students must submit a substantial work of journalism as a capstone, which requires the approval of the student's faculty advisor and the program director. The capstone can consist of a 3,000- to 4,000-word deeply researched article, long-form narrative feature, multimedia project, or other work.

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study is as follows: 1st Semester/Term:

• JOUR-GA 1210: Law and Ethics in American Journalism (4 credits)
• JOUR-GA 1220: Reporting the News (4 credits)
  • Total Credits: 8 2nd Semester/Term:
• JOUR-GA 1230: Feature Writing (4 credits)
• JOUR-GA 1270: Long Form Narrative (4 credits)
  • Total Credits: 8 3rd Semester/Term:
• JOUR-GA 1250: Investigative Reporting (4 credits)
• Journalism Elective (4 credits)
  • Total Credits: 8 4th Semester/Term:
• JOUR-GA 1280: The Working Journalist (2 credits)
• Journalism Elective (4 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
  • Total Credits: 30

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and competencies to:

1. Write clear, accurate, and engaging prose in an audience-appropriate manner.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking, independence, and creativity.
3. Use technological tools and apply quantitative concepts as appropriate.
4. Interview subjects, conduct research, and evaluate information.
5. Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.