Master of Science in Journalism

Journalism – MS6931

(*MS6927 - Reserved for students participating in the Hong Kong Baptist Transfer Program)

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus. Some elective classes may be offered online.

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The master’s degree program in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is one of the nation’s elite graduate study programs. It is designed for (1) students with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication who wish to further their studies before entering the workforce; (2) students with an academic background outside journalism/mass communication who wish to gain an advanced degree and a solid foundation in journalism/mass communication skills; (3) journalism/mass communication professionals who wish to add skills in additional communication platforms; (4) professionals who seek a graduate degree to expand career opportunities; and (5) excellent students who wish to prepare for admission to a PhD program with a goal of conducting research and teaching journalism/mass communication at the university level.

The program provides opportunities to study professional journalism or prepare for further academic work by blending professionally oriented classes with mass communication principles, theory and research. Professional courses are available in data journalism, mobile journalism (including drones), podcasting, audio/video/broadcast journalism, magazine journalism, news writing/editing, strategic communication (public relations and advertising), and multimedia, which includes AR/VR, interactive design, web design and data visualization (with Media Arts and Studies and Visual Communication). The more theoretical courses teach students to apply principles of mass communication research and theory, focus on writing academic research papers of a quality to be presented at a conference and published in an academic journal, and prepare for application to a doctoral program.

This is a two-year program. Normative time to complete the program is two academic years.

Program Learning Outcomes

Master’s students contribute to knowledge appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. All graduates should be able to comprehend and discuss appropriate areas below connected to their teaching, research and general fields of study, including:

• understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
• demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
• demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications; demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society;
• understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
• demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
• think critically, creatively and independently;
• conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
• write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
• critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
• apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
• apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/journalism/graduate/masters-program

Contact Graduate Director Dr. Aimee Edmondson at edmondso@ohio.edu

Admission Requirements

Minimum qualifications for admission are a four-year bachelor’s degree;  TOEFL of 100 or its equivalent for non-native-English speakers; IELTS score of at least 6.5 (out of 8) across all four bands: listening, speaking, reading, and writing; and a GPA of 3.0. Applicants do not need journalism or other mass communication experience or classes to apply.

Up to eight credit hours of transfer credit will be considered.

The application also requires:

• Official transcripts from all universities previously attended.
• Resume/CV
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be submitted but are not required. 

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements 

Complete a minimum of 38 credit hours as follows: