Program Overview

Public Affairs Reporting

The Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) master's degree is designed for students who wish to specialize in news coverage of government and politics. A primary goal is for graduates to become professional journalists who can report and interpret governmental activity and public policy for news consumers. The 10-month program aims to develop news reporters able to understand public affairs and communicate those concepts with the clarity, accuracy, and speed demanded of professional journalists of the highest rank.

Advising

The program director serves as principal academic advisor for PAR students, although special advising requests may be referred to other faculty members with particular expertise. After students are accepted into the program, they should contact their academic advisors for an appointment before initial registration.

Grading Policy

PAR students must receive a grade of B or better in any required PAR course to receive credit toward the degree (grades of B- or lower will not be accepted). Students also must maintain a B average overall each semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are important components for all academic programs at the University of Illinois Springfield and are required by the Higher Learning Commission.

Requirements

The M.A. in Public Affairs Reporting requires 40 hours of graduate-level course work. In the fall semester, students enroll in two required courses: PAR 501 (six hours), and PAR 510 (four hours). Students choose two other graduate-level elective courses after consultation with their academic advisor.

• Required Courses:
  • PAR 501: Advanced Public Affairs Reporting (6 hours)
  • PAR 503: Legislative Issues (2 hours)
  • PAR 504: Internship I (12 hours)
  • PAR 505: Internship II/Closure (4 hours)
  • PAR 510: Developing Public Policy in Illinois (4 hours)
  • Electives (12 hours)
• Total Hours: 40

One elective should come from the Political Science Department and one should come from the Communication Department. The third elective is the student's choice, but restricted to Political Science or Communications. Students can file a petition to enroll in electives outside of Communication and Political Science.

Master Closure

As part of PAR 505, students must complete a professional portfolio that demonstrates mastery of public affairs journalism. The portfolio will include a variety of spot news, in-depth, and feature stories the student has reported and written and that have been published or aired by a professional media outlet, along with project memos detailing the news judgments involved in reporting and writing the longer pieces.

Admissions Requirements

Candidates must complete the PAR application, which includes:

• Samples of written work
• Narrative statement on qualifications and interest in the program
• Three reference letters from those who can assess candidates' journalism/communication and/or academic skills

Through the application, candidates must demonstrate:

• Writing ability
• Interest in government and public affairs
• Potential for a career in journalism
• An academic record indicating a likelihood for success in graduate school

Finalists must complete a news writing test. Applicants will be evaluated and admissions will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis until a cohort reaches capacity.

Courses

• PAR 404: Media Law And Ethics (4 Hours) Examines media law and ethical decision-making from the standpoint of media producers, critics, and users.
• PAR 501: Advanced Public Affairs Reporting (6 Hours) Advanced newswriting and reporting techniques, with a focus on covering government and public affairs news.
• PAR 503: Legislative Issues (2 Hours) Weekly in-class discussions with experts about key issues before the state legislature.
• PAR 504: Internship I (12 Hours) Practical experience in reporting public affairs.
• PAR 505: Internship II/Closure (4 Hours) Continuation of PAR 504, but more intense in conjunction with the conclusion of the legislative session.
• PAR 506: Closure - Continuing Enrollment (0 Hours) If the closure exercise required in PAR 505 is not completed by the end of the initial four-hour enrollment, students must register for PAR 506 for zero credits (one billable hour) in all subsequent fall and spring semesters until the exercise is completed.
• PAR 510: Developing Public Policy in Illinois (4 Hours) Intensive study of the factors affecting the development of public policy at the state level in Illinois.