Journalism (JOUR)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Journalism

Abstract

This Master of Arts (JOUR) degree is mainly intended for experienced journalists seeking a research-focused, academic journalism degree with the goal of a future teaching or Ph.D. program. If you are seeking a master’s degree to provide you with the fundamentals of journalism for a professional career, please see the Journalism (JOMJ) degree. If you’re looking for a Ph.D. program, go to Journalism (JOST). If you're seeking a graduate journalism multimedia certificate, go to Multimedia Journalism (Z071).

The Master of Arts in Journalism is a research-oriented, thesis program of 30 credits. The program is intended for experienced journalists, academics and others who are looking for a more scholarly master’s program. The degree offers a great deal of flexibility by tapping into the resources of the University of Maryland, a top-ranked, public, research institution located minutes away from Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Baltimore. The college’s unmatched access to internships in one of the nation’s top media markets and opportunities to learn from the pros working in today’s multimedia newsrooms make the Philip Merrill College of Journalism a training ground like no other. For Documentary Master's Concentration, please visit:

https://merrill.umd.edu/degrees-programs/masters-degree/documentary-masters-concentration-ma

Our students are fearless and #MerrillMade.

Contact

Serap Rada, Ph.D.
Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Knight Hall
7765 Alumni Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2513
Fax: 301.314.9166
Email: sdrada@umd.edu

Website: http://www.merrill.umd.edu

Courses: JOUR

General Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Letters of Recommendation (3)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)
  • CV/Resume
  • Portfolio PDF Upload (optional)
  • Writing Samples (3)
  • Supplementary Application (optional)
  • Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)

Applicants seeking admission to the master’s program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Undergraduate study of journalism and/or professional experience in journalistic fields are not required. Students must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), provide three writing samples and obtain three letters of recommendation.

For more admissions information or to apply to the program, please visit our Graduate School website: www.gradschool.umd.edu/admissions

Application Deadlines

Type of Applicant Fall Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents January 15, 2025
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants January 15, 2025

Other Deadlines: Please visit the program website at http://www.merrill.umd.edu

 
 

The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, consistently ranked among the world's top journalism schools, develops journalists and media scholars with rigorous reporting, research and analytical skills, a commitment to ethics, and an appreciation for the First Amendment’s key role in a free society.

Located a few miles from the United States capital, Washington, D.C., the college employs acclaimed researchers and repeat winners of journalism’s top awards —  including the Pulitzer, Peabody and Emmy awards — and prepares students to join a dynamic profession.

Merrill College students — who enjoy small classes but also have access to the resources and opportunities available at one of the nation's top public universities — leave Maryland with strong writing and visual skills, a command of technology, and a nuanced understanding of data analysis and audience engagement.

Several online services rank Merrill College among the top journalism schools in the country, including No. 2 by Course Advisor (2023), No. 3 by College Rank (2024), No. 4 by Universities.com (2024), No. 5 by CollegeVine (2024), No. 5 by Transizion (2024), No. 6 by CollegeRanker (2024), No. 6 by Successful Student (2024), No. 7 by AP Guru (2021), No. 8 by College Transitions (2024) and No. 8 by College Factual (2024). 

What To Expect

  • A focus on fundamentals combined with 21st-century video and digital storytelling skills and an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit that journalists need to succeed in a changing world
  • Access to real-world internships in the best regional media market in the world
  • An opportunity to work in the hands-on, teaching newsrooms in Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore that we call Capital News Service
  • The chance to do important work with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, a nationally decorated center that publishes journalism with worldwide impact, or The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism, a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports journalists
  • Small class sizes that ensure one-on-one interaction with some of the best in journalism education today
  • A full-time and part-time faculty that includes a prestigious mix of journalists and scholars who have won Pulitzers, Emmys and other awards
  • An education that will prepare you for success in numerous careers. Many alumni have successful careers in journalism. Others have gone on to law school, started their own businesses or used their communications skills to work for corporations and nonprofits. The skills students learn here are a valued asset in the real world

Merrill College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. 

https://merrill.umd.edu/about

To view faculty information, please visit https://merrill.umd.edu/about/faculty-and-staff

Last Name First/Middle Name Graduate Faculty Status Academic Credentials Positions