Master of Science in Journalism
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The master of science in journalism program prepares students from all academic backgrounds to serve as professional reporters, producers and editors in broadcast, print and online media. The program combines principles, tools and craft in the context of innovative approaches to reporting and presenting information in the always-on environment of contemporary media.
Students can complete the 36-credit program in one calendar year as full-time students or pursue a part-time trajectory and finish in two years.
We offer three tracks:
- Journalism: Focus on the essential multimedia reporting skills for news sites or television stations, with an emphasis on a variety of subjects of public interest and importance to small and large communities.
- Sports Journalism: Specialize in covering local, collegiate and professional sports by ranging beyond the scores to analyze play and performance in context with historical and contemporary developments for multimedia sites and national sports networks.
- News Documentaries and Magazine Writing: Select either visual or textual presentation of long-form, non-fiction stories based on detailed research, analysis and interviews, with an emphasis on online distribution through the web or tablets, or both, and Amazon Kindle Singles.
Objectives
Our goal is simple: transform a passion for news into a lifelong career that combines what the producer of the acclaimed television series "Mad Men" Matt Weiner once described as a pursuit that "smacks of adventure and intellect."
Students are challenged to develop story ideas through reason and observation, to analyze data and facts and above all, to write well, with discipline, poise and creative vitality. In short, our program focuses ruthlessly on preparing students for the daily test-of-strength that is news reporting in the 21st century.
We accomplish our objectives through a curriculum rooted in practical training directed aggressively by faculty who have worked the big rooms in the profession, including the New York Times, CNN, Time magazine and ESPN, among others.
In short, faculty members are seasoned professionals who work closely with students to enhance writing, reporting and producing skills and to stay fluent in emerging technologies as required to succeed as practitioners in contemporary news media.
The graduate program maintains close relationships with media companies and assists students with internships and career opportunities even well before commencement.
A real-time clinical experience in Quinnipiac University's multimedia/television newsroom and studio is required of all students to provide the seasoning required to compete for professional opportunities.
Alumni
Alumni are represented throughout the widening tableau of traditional and emerging news organizations, including ESPN, the Associated Press, Patch.com, local network affiliates from California to Connecticut, and dozens of newspapers and news sites in addition to a range of print and online trade publications. Some alumni go on to establish an entrepreneurial online presence, presenting local news, sports, and lifestyles, among other topics.
Further information on the program is available from:
Rich Hanley
Associate Professor of Journalism
Quinnipiac University
School of Communications
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518 Telephone: 203-582-3739
E-mail: gradcomm@quinnipiac.edu
Information on the application process and requirements is available from the Graduate Admissions Office. Please contact:
Graduate Admissions Office
Quinnipiac University
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Telephone: 203-582-8672
E-mail: graduate@quinnipiac.edu
Curriculum + Requirements
The program calls for students to take 33 credit hours of required courses (including the capstone) and three hours of electives for a total 36 credits. Each course except the Newsroom Clinical carries three credit hours. The Clinical is a six-credit experience.
Students who demonstrate proficiency or prior academic experience in any required course may replace that course with an elective with the permission of the graduate program director.
Please note that an internship is considered an elective. Students are urged to pursue one.
Journalism Track
Required
- JRN 502 - The Practice of Journalism
- JRN 503 - Analytics for News Reporting
- JRN 504 - Multimedia Reporting
- JRN 521 - Audio Storytelling
- JRN 524 - Broadcast Journalism
- JRN 539 - Journalism History
- JRN 552 - Media Law & Ethics
- JRN 570 - Feature Writing
- JRN 590 - Newsroom Clinical (6 Credits)
- JRN 601/602 - Master's Project or Master's Thesis
- One elective
Sports Journalism Track
Required
- JRN 502 - The Practice of Journalism
- JRN 539 - Journalism History
- JRN 552 - Media Law & Ethics
- JRN 560 - Sports Reporting
- JRN 563 - Sports Analytics
- JRN 564 - Presenting & Producing Radio Sports
- JRN 565 - Presenting & Producing Television Sports
- JRN 566 - Sports Feature Writing
- JRN 590 - Newsroom Clinical
- JRN 601/602 - Master's Project or Master's Thesis
- One elective
News Documentary and Magazine Writing (Long-form) Track
Required
- JRN 502 - The Practice of Journalism
- JRN 503 - Analytics for News Reporting
- JRN 504 - Multimedia Reporting
- JRN 521 - Audio Storytelling
- JRN 539 - Journalism History
- JRN 552 - Media Law & Ethics
- JRN 535 - Feature Writing
- JRN 572 - News Documentary
- JRN 590 - Newsroom Clinical
- JRN 601/602 - Master's Project or Master's Thesis
Electives
Please note that electives are offered on an as-needed basis and will not all be available each semester. The official schedule is posted in the Course Bulletin that is available during course registration periods.
- JRN 500 - Special Topics in Journalism
- JRN 525 - Media Management
- JRN 526 - Editing for Print
- JRN 531 - Internship
- JRN 532 - Advanced Broadcast Journalism
- JRN 533 - Advanced Print Reporting
- JRN 540 - Broadcast Performance
- JRN 542 - Graduate Seminar
- JRN 580 - Investigative Reporting
Admissions Requirements
The graduate programs in the School of Communications invite applications from prospective students who wish to pursue the professional practice of journalism. Recent graduates of a bachelor's program outside of the communications or journalism fields are welcome to apply, as are prospective students who are presently working and wish to either shift careers or enhance their professional standing.
Admission to each program is highly competitive and is based on the following:
- Application form and fee
- Undergraduate performance as measured by GPA
- Experience in the chosen field either as a student or professional
- Two professional recommendations
- A portfolio of written, visual or audio work
- Letter of intent (approximately 500 words)
For additional information about the program or to arrange a campus tour or interview, call the Graduate Admissions Office at 203-582-8672 or 800-462-1944.
Write to Quinnipiac University Graduate Admissions at 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518-1940.
Send e-mail to graduate@quinnipiac.edu
Request More Information
For more information on this program please fill out our Information Request Form.
Graduate Information Session Oct. 16
Quinnipiac invites prospective graduate students interested in programs from the School of Business and the School of Communications to the Mount Carmel Campus to learn more about these opportunities.
Journalism professor publishes new study on press freedom
Journalism professor Edward Alwood published a study in the summer edition of the International Communications Research Journal titled "Speak No Evil" that examines press freedom in Bulgaria.
CBS' Scott Pelley urges accuracy over speed in journalism
Quinnipiac University presented its 20th annual Fred Friendly First Amendment Award to Scott Pelley, anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley," at an invitation-only luncheon on May 10 at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.