Journalism, M.A.

Graduate Program

About the Program

Tell a Story. Change the World.

The program in Journalism includes coursework that prepares a student to be a writer and/or designer for print media and the internet.

The program is an intensive combination of academic study and hands-on practice designed to develop competitive, high-level, cross-platform digital storytelling skills appropriate for today’s media landscape. Students take a common core of courses designed to provide a foundation in all aspects of contemporary journalism. Beyond that, students have the opportunity to focus their work in a particular area of study, including broadcast journalism, news and feature writing, and various aspects of multimedia journalism.

Through a combination of journalism courses and related courses offered by other programs, students may also concentrate some of their work in particular areas of interest (e.g., sports reporting, journalism for social change or international journalism). The program begins in the fall semester and lasts for 18 months. No prior training or experience in journalism is required.

For a complete list of courses, please visit the UM Bulletin website at http://bulletin.miami.edu

Audiovisual Production

A lab/lecture course focusing on the concepts of visual strorytelling and on the skills needed to gather information in the visual storytelling process. Students work in teams with still photography, video and audio-gathering devices to document community life.

Interaction Design and Information Visualization

This course is an introduction to the visual display of information in digital and interactive media, with a special focus on the encoding of data by means of statistical charts, maps, and diagrams.

Interactive Storytelling

Digitization allows us to merge several forms of media that were not connected in the past. This course is intended as an exploration of how storytelling is r e-inventing itself utilizing the new digital communication tools available to us today. This course will cover linear and non-linear storytelling techniques and production processes.

Media Law and Ethics Seminar

A survey of legal and ethical issues concerning First Amendment theories and practices regarding defamation, privacy, freedom of information, free press vs. fair trial, reporter privilege, access to media, intellectual property, obscenity, broadcasting, and new media.

Reporting and the Internet

Overview of uses of online computer services for newsgathering and distribution with emphasis on the Internet.

Social Effects of Mass Communication

Roles, functions, and consequences of mass communication in American society.

Social Media for Journalists

Examination of best practices for use of social media for gathering, disseminating and promoting news.

Sports Reporting

An analysis of sports journalism that will develop students’ skills in sports r eporting and sports writing. Discussions range across the entire field of sport s reporting, including broadcasting, but the greatest emphasis is concentrated on sports reporting and writing for newspapers and magazines.

Writing for Publication

This course focuses on writing principles and practices of the news media. It is designed to give the student exposure and practical experience in writing for the print media.

Showcase Your Talents

Students studying Journalism at the School of Communication have many opportunities to showcase their talents to the world. From covering events live on our award-winning cable station to writing for the on-campus newspaper, the avenues of real-world experience are endless.

Featured Projects

A few of our journalism projects, all done by our very own students and faculty.

Ready to take the next step?