Journalism and Mass Communication Programs

The Christian Science Monitor reported in late 2004 that a record high of over 11,700 students were enrolled in master's programs in journalism. Part of the reason for this popularity is that journalism programs teach a skill set (finding and assessing information, and presenting it clearly and concisely) that is valuable in many fields. In addition to working in news media, J-school graduates can be found in public relations, marketing, publishing, politics and government, and virtually any other setting that involves the relay of information. That said, many students enter journalism programs because they were bitten by 'the journalism bug' and will never be happy in any other profession.

Journalism school can help working reporters bring their work to a higher level of professionalism and help prepare them for more challenging and rewarding positions. For others, a master's in journalism can be a means of changing careers. For anyone, J-school can help sharpen reporting and writing skills, provide a venue for producing published work, and open contacts with people working in what tends to be an insiders' industry.

The following table lists some of the most highly regarded journalism programs at U.S. colleges and universities. For more information about journalism school, continue reading the rest of this page.

You usually don't need an undergraduate degree in journalism or previous journalism experience to be accepted to a graduate journalism program. Selection committees look more at career goals, motivation, and broader life experience. You do, of course, need competent verbal skills. All journalism programs demand a great deal of writing, much of it done on the spot.

Some journalism schools have two 'sides,' one oriented toward practice and the other toward research. Think carefully about your career goals. If you want to be a practicing journalist, a master's program oriented toward professionals is right for you. If you think you might want to go on to do mass communications research, or to teach journalism at the university level, you will probably want to go on a Ph.D. program some day. In that case, you're well advised to pick a master's program that will provide the scholarly training you need to perform at that level.