The School of Journalism offers two Master of Arts degree programs: 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 online journalism and new media. 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.

An applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Minimum 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) and should receive a score of at least 630 on the paper-based exam or a score of 267 on the computer-based exam.

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.

Applicants should submit the following materials to the USC Office of Admission: USC formal application with an application fee, affidavit of support (international applicants only), official GRE scores, official TOEFL scores (international applicants only), and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students should consult the USC Application for Graduate Admission for the current fee. The Office of Admission is unable to process an application without this fee.

In addition, students must submit the following materials to Annenberg Student Services: Journalism Supplementary Application, statement of purpose, GRE test scores, TOEFL test scores (international applicants only), official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, one writing sample, journalism essay, a résumé and three letters of recommendation.

The School of Journalism admits students on a rolling basis for the fall semester. The application deadline for admission and a teaching assistantship consideration is January 15 for the fall. The final application deadline for admission with no teaching assistantship is March 1 for the fall. All questions regarding admission policies and procedures should be directed to the director of graduate recruitment at (213) 740-0890. 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 Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of for general regulations. All course work applied toward a degree must be approved by the School of Journalism and the Graduate School.

Studies toward the Master of Arts in the School of Journalism require 40 units of prescribed courses and approved electives in the student’s field of study. With the exception of those enrolling in the Strategic Public Relations program, students must take JOUR 506 and JOUR 507 in the first semester of enrollment. Students may take, with prior approval, two of their electives outside the school. No more than 10 units of 400-level work 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.

The School of Journalism will accept only four units of approved transferred graduate credit. The degree programs for Journalism and Strategic Public Relations require 12 or 13 courses, in addition to JOUR 594ab Master’s Thesis (2-2). 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. These programs may be attended on a part-time basis.

There is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master’s degree.

A master’s degree in Journalism and Strategic Public Relations requires 40 units. To graduate, students may elect to write and defend either a professional project or a research thesis.

Thesis

The thesis 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 tenure-track members, chaired by a faculty member from the School of Journalism. At least two of these members must be on the faculty of the School of Journalism; one may be a faculty member from another school or department. Students must secure approval of the professional project or thesis prior to enrollment in JOUR 594a. Students will enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) normally during their second year of study.

Course requirements (40 Units)		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society	3
JOUR 505	American Media History Seminar	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	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
JOUR 594ab	Master’s Thesis	2-2
Plus 9 units of approved elective courses.

Course requirements (40 Units)		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society	3
JOUR 505	American Media History Seminar	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	3
JOUR 550	Introduction to Online Publishing	3
JOUR 551	Intermediate Online Publishing	3
JOUR 555	Multimedia and Graphics in Online Publishing	3
JOUR 556	Online Journalism Seminar
JOUR 560	Seminar in Mass Communication Law	3
JOUR 594ab	Master’s Thesis	2-2
Plus 9 units of approved elective courses.

Master of Arts in Print Journalism

Course requirements (40 Units)		Units
JOUR 500	Media and Society	3
JOUR 505	American Media History Seminar	3
JOUR 506	Print Journalism	3
JOUR 507	Broadcast Journalism	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
JOUR 594ab	Master’s Thesis	2-2
Plus 9 units of approved elective courses

Course requirements		Units
JOUR 504	Public Relations Research and Evaluation	3
JOUR 508	Introduction to Strategic Public Relations	3
JOUR 530	Strategic Public Relations Management	3
JOUR 534	Case Studies in Public Relations	3
JOUR 535	Specialized Writing for Public Relations	3
JOUR 536	Creating Media for Public Relations	3
JOUR 560	Seminar in Mass Communication Law	3
JOUR 567	Internet and High Technology PublicRelations	3
JOUR 594ab	Master’s Thesis	2-2
Plus 12 units of approved elective courses

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.