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School of Journalism

Graduate Degrees

The School of Journalism offers three Master of Arts degree programs: Journalism, Specialized Journalism and Strategic Public Relations. Students completing the M.A. in Journalism will choose one of three emphases: print, broadcast or online. The Print Journalism emphasis is for students interested in newspaper and magazine journalism. Students may develop their special areas of interest through the selection of elective courses. The Broadcast Journalism emphasis is for those students interested in television news, public affairs and documentary programming. The curriculum is similar to the Print Journalism emphasis with the focus shifted to the development of writing and production skills for the broadcast media. The Online Journalism emphasis is for students interested in new media. The Specialized Journalism degree is designed for experienced professionals and recent journalism graduates interested in developing reporting expertise. The Strategic Public Relations degree is designed to train students for management-level public relations and communication positions in all types of public and private sector organizations.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites
An applicant must have the equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Criteria
Minimum recommended criteria are a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work and all graduate work, and a score of 550-verbal and 1000-cumulative (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE General Test and 5.0 GRE-Writing. International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and should receive a score of at least 114-115 on the Internet-based exam. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examinations one month prior to the application deadline. GRE scores are valid for five years and TOEFL is valid for two years.

In addition, applicants are judged on a statement of purpose explaining why they wish to pursue graduate studies in journalism or public relations, an essay and three letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf. Professional experience in journalism and/or communication is also considered. Applicants must submit a résumé and one sample of their writing for review.

Procedure
Applicants must complete and submit the online USC Graduate Admission Application. Please refer to the Annenberg graduate application guidelines on the Annenberg Web site for details before initiating your application. In addition, for admission consideration, international students must submit an affidavit of financial support and official TOEFL scores.

Applicants must upload the following mate­rials before submitting the online graduate application: statement of purpose, one writing sample, a journalism or public relations essay, and a resume. Letters of recommendation may be submitted online or mailed to the Annenberg Admissions Office by the applicant's recommenders. GRE and TOEFL scores must be reported electronically from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The USC institution code is 4852.

The Annenberg School admits new students to the M.A. in Journalism (print, broadcast and online) and the M.A. in Strategic Public Relations degree programs for the fall semester only. The application deadline for admission and departmental scholarship award consideration is January 2. Students usually receive admission notifications by March 31.

New students are admitted to the M.A. in Specialized Journalism and the M.A. in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) for the summer session only. The application filing period is January 2 – March 2. Students are notified of admission decisions on a rolling basis beginning in late March.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School for general regulations. All course work applied toward a degree must be approved by the School of Journalism and the Graduate School.

Master of Arts

Studies toward the Master of Arts in Jour­nalism and the Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations require 40 units of prescribed courses and approved electives in the student's field of study. Students may take, with prior approval, two of their electives outside the school. No more than 12 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the master's degree in journalism and the master's degree in strategic public relations. Studies toward the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism require 34 units of prescribed courses and approved electives. No more than 10 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the master's degree in specialized journalism. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for all work. Students who fall below a 3.0 grade point average will be placed on academic probation and must improve according to established terms if they are to remain in the school. In the case of courses offered on Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis, faculty review of competence will be substituted for grades.

Residence
The School of Journalism will accept only 4 units of approved transferred graduate credit. Normally, full-time students in the Master of Arts in Journalism and the Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations can complete the program in four semesters. The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism can be completed in a nine-month enrollment cycle that includes the two-week summer session, plus the fall and spring semesters. These programs may be attended on a part-time basis.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements
There is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master's degree.

Course Requirements
A master's degree in journalism requires 40 units and a master's degree in strategic public relations requires 40 units. To graduate, students may elect the thesis or comprehensive examination option. Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units). A master's degree in specialized journalism requires 34 units. Specialized journalism students must complete the professional project thesis option and enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units).

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Examination (GPSE) Requirement
Journalism and strategic public relations graduate students are required to take a diagnostic exam at the Journalism Graduate Student Orientation in August to prepare for the Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Examination (GPSE). Journalism and strategic public relations students will take the GPSE in their first semester of enrollment during final examination week. Specialized journalism graduate students are not required to take the GPSE.

Graduate students who do not pass the GPSE may retake the exam the following spring semester. The GPSE will be offered on two dates in the spring term — the first week in February and the week of spring final examinations. (Students will be notified of the exam dates at the start of the spring semester.)

Graduate students must pass the GPSE by the completion of their second semester of enrollment or they will not be allowed to progress in the program and will be dismissed from the School of Journalism.

Note: Students with disabilities may register with the Disabilities Services and Programs office (DSP) so the DSP staff can assess the nature of the students' disabilities and recommend the appropriate accommodations to be provided for each student.

Thesis/Comprehensive Examination
The thesis option will take one of two forms: (1) a professional project presenting the results of an extensive print, broadcast, public relations or new media project completed by the student; or (2) a research thesis presenting the results of primary research undertaken by the student. In either case, students must establish a guidance committee of three faculty members. The committee must be chaired by a faculty member from the School of Journalism and must include one full-time USC faculty member from outside the School of Journalism, either from the School of Communication or another unit on the USC campus. Students must secure approval of the professional project or thesis prior to enrollment in JOUR 594a. Students who elect the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units), normally during their second year of study. The 4 units will count toward the approved elective units. Specialized journalism students normally enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) in their single year of study.

The comprehensive examination option allows students to complete the degree by passing a comprehensive examination in their last semester of course work. The comprehensive examination option is not available to students in the specialized journalism degree program.

New Media Core Curriculum
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Journalism are required to take 9 units of New Media Core courses (JOUR 501, JOUR 502, JOUR 503) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate studies in journalism at USC. At the end of each New Media Core course, students will be given a comprehensive skills test that must be passed.

In the 21st century it is imperative that all journalists understand the basic techniques of writing, reporting and production for all the new media in print, broadcast and online journalism. Upon graduation, students will be routinely expected to function in all new media, being able to report and write stories for a media corporation's newspaper, Web site, and radio and television broadcasts, and to do this while covering a single story. The 9-unit New Media Core ensures every student has a background in all media before completing the more advanced courses in the 40-unit Master of Arts in Journalism. The three courses are:

JOUR 501 (3 units) is designed to teach the student basic newswriting and ethical framework for print, broadcast and online. The print segment includes basic newswriting, news judgment, construction of print news stories. The broadcast segment includes an introduction to broadcast newswriting with the emphasis on the ear and eye, creation of audio statements and creation of video elements. The online segment includes an introduction to online writing with an emphasis on context and relationship of topics and subjects to the story.

JOUR 502 (3 units) is designed to teach the student basic production and ethical framework for print, broadcast and online. The print segment includes copyediting and newspaper production layout, headline and caption writing and design. The broadcast segment includes studio and field produc- tion for radio and television and use of tape recorders and camcorders to produce simple field pieces. The online segment includes database creation and management, online journalism production and Web production.

JOUR 503 (3 units) is designed to teach the student basic reporting and ethical framework for print, broadcast and online. The print segment includes basic reporting techniques, public records reporting and beginning pieces of investigative journalism. The broadcast segment includes field reporting, radio and audio media, TV and other visual media. The online segment includes computer assisted reporting and precision reporting including statistics.

Master of Arts, Broadcast Journalism Emphasis

Course requirements (40 Units)Units
JOUR 500Media and Society3
JOUR 501Newswriting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 502Production: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 503Reporting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 505American Media History Seminar3
JOUR 517Advanced Investigative Reporting3
JOUR 521Broadcast Documentary, or
JOUR 526Advanced Broadcast News Production3
JOUR 560Seminar in Mass Communication Law3
Plus 16 units of approved elective courses*

*Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) and must complete 12 units of approved elective courses. Students electing the comprehensive examination option must complete 16 units of elective courses.

Master of Arts, Print Journalism Emphasis

Course requirements (40 Units)Units
JOUR 500Media and Society3
JOUR 501Newswriting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 502Production: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 503Reporting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 505American Media History Seminar3
JOUR 517Advanced Investigative Reporting3
JOUR 560Seminar in Mass Communication Law3
Plus 19 units of approved elective courses*

*Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) and must complete 15 units of approved elective courses. Students electing the comprehensive examination option must complete 19 units of elective courses.

Master of Arts, Online Journalism Emphasis

course requirements (40 units)units
JOUR 500Media and Society3
JOUR 501Newswriting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 502Production: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 503Reporting: Print, Broadcast, Online3
JOUR 505American Media History Seminar3
JOUR 551Intermediate Online Publishing3
JOUR 555Multimedia and Graphics in Online Publishing3
JOUR 556Online Journalism Seminar3
JOUR 560Seminar in Mass Communication Law3
Plus 13 units of approved elective courses*

*Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) and must complete 9 units of approved elective courses. Students electing the comprehensive examination option must complete 13 units of approved elective courses.

Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations

Course requirements (40 Units)Units
JOUR 504Public Relations Research and Evaluation3
JOUR 508Introduction to Strategic Public Relations3
JOUR 510Legal, Ethical and Social Foundations of Public Relations3
JOUR 535Specialized Writing for Public Relations3
JOUR 568Critical Thinking and Crisis Management3
GSBA 520Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals3
Plus 22 units of approved elective courses*

*Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) and must complete 18 units of approved elective courses. Students electing the comprehensive examination option must complete 22 units of approved elective courses.

Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism

Course requirements (34 Units)Units
JOUR 580Introduction to Specialized Journalism2
JOUR 581Specialized Journalism: Research Methods3
JOUR 582Specialized Journalism: Reporting Decisions3
JOUR 590Directed Research3
JOUR 594abMaster's Thesis2-2

One course from:
JOUR 584Specialized Reporting: Education, Youth and Learning3
JOUR 585Specialized Reporting: Religion3
JOUR 586Specialized Reporting: Science3
JOUR 588Specialized Reporting: Urban Ecology3
JOUR 589Specialized Reporting: The Changing U.S Population3
Plus 16 units of approved elective courses

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism is a program focusing on experienced professionals who are choosing to specialize in a field of journalism that requires advanced reporting skills and subject matter expertise.The program is also open to recent journalism school graduates with records of excellence in their university classes and internships and to other outstanding applicants with demonstrated aptitude and expertise in journalism.

Students must begin the program in mid-August, enrolling in a required 2-unit, intensive two-week summer session course focused on journalism and society. In addition to the formal classes, the course includes noontime discussions and workshops as integral parts. This gateway course provides the master's students with a working knowledge of the specialized journalism background necessary for study in the program and sets the stage for a year of access to courses as substantively broad as a major research university such as USC makes available.

In the fall semester, students will enroll in a research methods course for journalists and a reporting seminar course in the area of demography, education, religion, science or urban ecology. With the advice of their faculty mentors, students will select elective course work totaling 8 units appropriate to their fields of specialization. These courses will be drawn from regular graduate and 400-level courses taught across the university and will require approval of a three-member committee composed of the faculty mentor in the School of Journalism, another member of the journalism faculty and a faculty member from the relevant discipline. Students also will begin research for their master's professional project. These projects may be full-length magazine (print or broadcast) treatments of issues in their field or similar professional work.

In the spring semester, students will enroll in a journalism course focused on the reporting and analysis of decision making and a directed research course, growing out of the fall seminar in specialized reporting. Students will enroll in elective course work totaling 8 units, chosen again from offerings across the university and in consultation with the mentors and approved by a three-member committee. Finally, students will complete their master's professional project.

The nine-month program has been designed for a summer session, fall and spring semester enrollment cycle; however, students may also elect to complete the program on a part-time basis.

Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (The Arts)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (34 UNITS)Units
JOUR 580Introduction to Specialized Journalism2
JOUR 582Specialized Journalism: Reporting Decisions3
JOUR 591Arts Writing Practicum3
JOUR 592Specialized Journalism: Reporting the Arts3
JOUR 593Arts Criticism and Commentary3
JOUR 594abMaster's Thesis2-2
Approved elective courses*16

* The elective course work must be taken from faculty-recommended lists in at least two arts schools, with at least 8 units from one school. The arts schools are Architecture, Cinematic Arts, Fine Arts, Music and Theatre.

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) is a program for journalists as well as recent graduates holding bachelor's degrees in journalism or one of the arts or experienced practitioners with a background in the arts who seek to specialize in coverage of the arts and culture. Students will complete 18 units of specialized journalism course work, including a master's professional project, taken within USC Annenberg's School of Journalism and 16 units of approved elective course work from faculty-­recommended lists in at least two arts schools with at least 8 units from one school. The arts schools are Architecture, Cinematic Arts, Fine Arts, Music and Theatre.

Students must begin the program in mid-August, enrolling in a required 2-unit intensive two-week summer session course focused on journalism and society. In addition to the formal classes, the course includes noontime discussions and workshops as integral parts. This gateway course provides master's students with a working knowledge of the specialized journalism background necessary for study in the program and sets the stage for a year of access to courses as substantively broad as a major research university such as USC makes available.

In the fall semester, students will enroll in an arts writing practicum and an arts reporting seminar. With the advice of their faculty mentors, students will select elective course work totaling 8 units appropriate to their fields of specialization. These courses will be drawn from regular graduate and 400-level courses taught across the arts schools and will require approval of a three-member committee composed of the faculty mentor in the School of Journalism, another member of the journalism faculty and a faculty member from the relevant discipline. Students also will begin research for their master's professional project. These projects may be full-length magazine (print or broadcast) treatments of issues in their field or similar professional work.

In the spring semester, students will enroll in a journalism course focused on the reporting and analysis of decision-making and an arts criticism and commentary course. Students will enroll in elective course work totaling 8 units, chosen again from offerings across the arts schools and in consultation with the mentors and approved by a three-member committee. Finally, students will complete their master's professional project.

The nine-month program has been designed for a summer session, fall and spring semester enrollment cycle; however, students also may elect to complete the program on a part-time basis with the approval of the director of the School of Journalism.

Annenberg International Programs

Graduate Journalism Internships — United Kingdom, Hong Kong or South Africa
Journalism master's degree students may spend eight weeks at internships in London, Hong Kong or Cape Town during the summer after their first year of graduate study at USC. Students apply to Annenberg International Programs in the fall semester of their first year and accepted students enroll in JOUR 529 International Journalism and Public Relations Seminar during the spring semester. From mid-May to mid-July, they then enroll in JOUR 542 Foreign Reporting and JOUR 545 International Internships in the Media while working full-time at internships with prominent media organizations.

For more information, contact Annenberg International Programs at (213) 821-2180 or ascintl@usc.edu.

Graduate Strategic Public Relations Internships — United Kingdom, Hong Kong or South Africa
Strategic Public Relations master's degree students may spend eight weeks at internships in London, Hong Kong or Cape Town, during the summer after their first year of graduate study at USC. Students apply in the fall semester of their first year and accepted students enroll in JOUR 529 International Journalism and Public Relations Seminar during the spring semester. From mid-May to mid-July, they then enroll in JOUR 532 International Public Relations and JOUR 545 International Internships in the Media while working full-time at internships with prominent public relations organizations.

For more information, contact Annenberg International Programs at (213) 821-2180 or ascintl@usc.edu.

Academic Integrity Policy

Since its founding, the USC School of Journalism has maintained a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct and academic excellence. Any student found guilty of plagiarism, fabrication, cheating on examinations or purchasing papers or other assignments will receive a failing grade in the course and will be dismissed from the School of Journalism. There are no exceptions to the school's policy.