The School of Journalism offers four Master of Arts degree programs: Print Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations and International Journalism. The Print Journalism sequence 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 sequence is for those students interested in television news, public affairs and documentary programming. The curriculum is similar to the Print Journalism sequence with the focus shifted to the development of writing and production skills for the broadcast media. The Public Relations sequence is designed to train students for professional work in the communication of information, problem-analysis and decision-making for the public and private sectors. The International Journalism sequence combines elements of both the print and broadcast sequences with an emphasis on foreign affairs reporting, in particular Latin America.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

An applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. With the exception of those applying to the International Journalism sequence, the M.A. program is designed for those who do not have an undergraduate degree in journalism or mass communication.

Criteria

Standard criteria for consideration are a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work and all graduate work, and a score of 500-verbal and 1000-cumulative (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE General Test. International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

In addition, applicants are judged on a statement of purpose explaining why they wish to pursue graduate studies in journalism, an essay and three letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf. Professional experience in journalism and communication is also considered. Journalism applicants are encouraged to submit samples of their writing for review.

Procedure

All application materials, including the USC general application (with application fee), the School of Journalism's supplementary application, official transcripts, test scores, essay, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and writing samples should be sent directly to the Graduate Studies Office of the School of Journalism.

The School of Journalism admits students on a rolling basis for the fall semester. The final application deadline is April 1 for the fall semester; for International Journalism applicants the final application deadline is March 1. All questions regarding admission policies and procedures should be directed to the Graduate Studies Office at (213) 740-3911. Students applying during the school year usually receive notification of the Admission Committee's decision within six weeks of receipt of all application materials.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Graduate School and the Requirements for Graduation, 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 the School of Journalism require 36 or 37 units of prescribed courses and approved electives in the student's field of study. With the exception of the International Journalism program, JOUR 506, 507 and 508 are the prerequisites for all JOUR 500-level courses with the exception of JOUR 500, 505, 560 and 590. Students may take, with prior approval, one of their electives outside the school. No more than 10 units of 400-level work (no more than eight units for the International Journalism sequence) may be applied toward the master's degree. 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 four units of approved transferred graduate credit. The degree programs for Print, Broadcast and Public Relations require 12 or 13 courses. Normally, full-time students can complete the program in four semesters. To complete the program in three semesters, a student must take at least four courses for three consecutive semesters. For International Journalism, see below.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements

With the exception of the International Journalism sequence, there is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master's degree.

Course Requirements

A master's degree in Print, Broadcast or Public Relations requires 36 or 37 total units, depending on whether the student chooses the thesis or comprehensive examination option. For International Journalism, see below.

Thesis/Comprehensive Examinations

The Thesis Option (37 units) allows students to complete the M.A. degree by writing and successfully defending a master's thesis. The thesis option is not available to students in the International Journalism sequence. Students who wish to pursue the thesis option must establish a guidance committee of three members of the full-time faculty and secure approval of their thesis proposal prior to registration for thesis units. Students who write a thesis enroll in JOUR 594ab Thesis (2-2 units) in lieu of one elective course. A thesis may take one of two forms: (1) a research thesis presenting the results of primary research undertaken by the student and supervised by a committee of three full-time faculty members, or (2) a professional thesis presenting the results of an extensive print, broadcast or public relations project completed by the student and supervised by a committee of three full-time faculty members. Print and Broadcast Journalism students who elect to do a research thesis must complete JOUR 501.

The Comprehensive Examination Option (36 units) allows students to complete the degree by passing a written comprehensive examination upon completion of all academic work.

Course requirements		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society	3
JOUR 505	American Media History	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	3
JOUR 508	Public Relations	3
JOUR 517	Advanced Investigative Reporting	3
JOUR 520	Advanced Broadcast Newswriting	3
JOUR 521	Broadcast Documentary	3
JOUR 522	Advanced Broadcast Documentary Production, or
JOUR 526	Advanced Broadcast News Production	3
JOUR 560	Seminar in Mass Communication Law	3

Plus two approved elective courses

Master of Arts in Print Journalism

Course requirements		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society	3
JOUR 505	American Media History	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	3
JOUR 508	Public Relations	3
JOUR 511	Editing and Design	3
JOUR 513	Advanced Newswriting and Reporting	3
JOUR 517	Advanced Investigative Reporting	3
JOUR 512	Advanced Interpretive Writing, or
JOUR 519	Advanced Magazine Writing	3
JOUR 560	Seminar in Mass Communication Law	3

Plus two approved elective courses

Master of Arts in Public Relations

Course requirements		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society, or
JOUR 505	American Media History	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	3
JOUR 508	Public Relations	3
JOUR 501	Mass Communications Research, or
JOUR 504	Public Relations Evaluation	3
JOUR 530	Public Relations Management	3
JOUR 534	Case Studies in Public Relations	3
JOUR 535	Advanced Public Relations Media	3
JOUR 560	Seminar in Mass Communication Law	3

Plus three approved elective courses

Master of Arts in International Journalism

This program requires one semester of study in Mexico City and 30 units.

Course requirements		Units
JOUR 540	International Journalism Seminar I	3
JOUR 541	International Journalism Seminar II	3
JOUR 542ab	Foreign Reporting	3-3
JOUR 543	Field Study	3

Plus three area studies elective courses (must be approved by the Director, Center for International Journalism)

In addition, those who have earned a B.A. in Journalism recently and working journalists with less than five years of experience will enroll in JOUR 560. Working journalists with more than five years experience will enroll in one journalism elective at the 500 level, in place of JOUR 560.

The Center for International Journalism academic advisor will guide students to select electives related to Latin America, the Third World and U.S. foreign policy and international relations. No more than eight units of 400-level course work may be applied to this degree.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination. This is a two-day exam (four hours each day) designed to test the student's knowledge of mass communications and international journalism as well as journalistic skill.

Certificates in International Journalism

Candidates with more than four years of professional experience have the option of choosing between a master's degree and a certificate program. By opting for a certificate, they must enroll in 16 units for credit. In lieu of the comprehensive examination, a paper must be submitted that would reflect investigative journalistic skills. See below.

Foreign Language Requirement

Prior to the second semester, students in the International Journalism sequence must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish equivalent to two years of college course work. Language proficiency will be based on the standard examination given by the USC Testing Bureau.

Certificate in International Journalism

An alternative program is the Certificate in International Journalism. It follows a format similar to the degree program but affords greater flexibility.

Candidates for admission must have (a) a B.A. degree or its international equivalent and (b) a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. (A = 4.0) for all undergraduate work. The Graduate and International Admissions Office will recognize the "egresado pasante'' as a suitable equivalent solely for the certificate program. Preference will be given to candidates with significant professional experience in journalism and fluency in both English and Spanish. International candidates must submit both TOEFL and PAEG scores and are expected to achieve minimum scores of 600 on both exams.

Certificate candidates must complete a minimum of 16 units of course work, including JOUR 540 (at USC), 541 (in Mexico) and 543 (in Mexico). Elective course work should focus on global topics of an historical or contemporary nature. Certificate candidates must also produce a lengthy paper demonstrating academic research capabilities and reportorial skills.

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 immediately 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.

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