UA Journalism Department reopens graduate program

The University of Arizona Department of Journalism has reopened its graduate program for students seeking a master of arts in journalism, according to Jacqueline Sharkey, journalism department head. Classes will begin in fall 2008.

"The faculty is thrilled the department is reopening admission to its graduate program," said Sharkey. "This enables us to follow through on recommendations made during our Academic Program Review and during our re-accreditation process that the graduate program be reopened. It also allows us to contribute to the University's research mission, which puts increasing emphasis on graduate education."

Journalism courses are offered in the department's modern, high-tech facilities and are taught by faculty members who have extensive experience as working journalists. Linda Lumsden, an assistant professor of journalism who specializes in journalism history, has been named director of graduate studies.

The UA journalism department is one of the few in the nation that focuses solely on journalism and doesn't offer courses in advertising or public relations. Faculty members teaching in the graduate program include a national teaching award winner, an internationally renowned photojournalist and the leader of a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation.

Sharkey said another attractive feature of the program includes an international component that enables students to examine specific geopolitical regions of the world and take courses on news media in Latin America and the Middle East.

The UA journalism department has been accredited for more than 40 years by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, a non-profit, educational association of journalism and mass communication professionals.

The department began its professional master's degree program more than 30 years ago. Graduates took important leadership roles at major print and television news media. Their work changed federal and state laws and policies and won important national awards. In 1997, the department decided to suspend enrollment in the program while it reexamined the curriculum.

Prospective students should apply through the UA Graduate College by March 15. The department admits new students only in the fall semester. The professionally oriented curriculum offers two tracks to accommodate both professional journalists and those new to the field. A minimum of 30 units, including a thesis or master's report, is required for graduation.

For a full description on the journalism graduate program, including requirements and course descriptions, may be found here. For application and administrative questions, contact Paul Johnson, graduate program coordinator, at 520-621-5710; prj@email.arizona.edu. For advising questions, contact Linda Lumsden, graduate program director, at 520-626-3635; lumsden@email.arizona.edu.

Students also should familiarize themselves with the conditions and regulations of the Graduate College.

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