Bilingual Journalism

Master of Arts

Bilingual Journalism

“The Bilingual Journalism Program is a great opportunity for experienced journalists to return to academia. As a Colombian journalist working in Arizona, it meant new knowledge on migration issues and updating myself on digital media, radio, podcasting and television production in this era,"

-Paula Diaz Soet, a master’s student in the Bilingual Journalism Program.

Hablas español? This program is for you!

About the Program

The master’s degree in Bilingual Journalism is a cutting-edge program that offers professional and academic training for students who want to report about and/or for Latinx communities in the United States and abroad. It is one of the only fully bilingual programs in the country. Graduates will acquire a robust set of skills in both Spanish and English that will translate into a significant competitive edge in the workplace.

Innovation and new models of storytelling in the digital age also set this master’s degree apart from other programs. Students will explore entrepreneurial models of journalism, such as crowd-funding and nonprofit or donor-based hyperlocal and translocal projects. In addition, students will practice innovative ways of reporting and disseminating news for non-legacy media by incorporating the conversational style of the internet, social media, community engagement and advanced understanding of their audiences.

This program is offered by the School of Journalism in collaboration with the Center of Latin American Studies, the Department of Mexican American Studies and the Department of Spanish & Portuguese.

Our program is designed for students who have a journalism background as well as those who have no previous journalism experience. Part-time students are welcome.

Students must be fluent in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese. They must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (U.S. or abroad).

course Requirements

GRADUATE HANDBOOK

What Can We Offer You?

Fully Bilingual Program. This is one of the only M.A. programs of its kind in the country. Graduates will gain strong skills in both English and Spanish, which will give them a competitive edge in the workplace.

Comprehensive Understanding of Latinx Communities. This two-year master’s degree will advance students’ understanding of the history and culture of Latinx, Mexican American and other bilingual populations in the United States and Latin America.

Cultural Competency. The program goes beyond teaching how to report on Latinx issues in two languages by offering courses about historical, social, cultural, geographic and political issues relevant to Latinx communities in Arizona, the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and the Latin American countries where many U.S. immigrants originated.

Welcoming School Culture. Our program is small, with a strong camaraderie and frequent opportunities to interact with other graduate students. You'll receive personal attention from faculty and staff during your time studying with us.

Bilingual Instructors. Through a combination of skills-based and conceptual courses, incubator labs, fieldwork and internships, students will work alongside bilingual professors and Spanish-language and English-language media professionals to innovate and explore new ways of storytelling.

Bilingual Courses. Some classes will be taught in Spanish only, others in English and Spanish—or Spanglish. Instead of translating from one language to another, students will understand linguistic diversity and cater to bilingual communities.

Bilingual Internships. Students will have opportunities to intern at Latinx media in the United States and abroad.

Global Study. Students can go on a study abroad program or take classes at an affiliated campus overseas.

Hispanic-Serving Institution. This bilingual journalism degree advances the University of Arizona’s strategic goal to strengthen programs that invest in Hispanic students.

The Border, the World. Our students report from the Mexican border, just 60 miles away, as well as in Latin America.

Western Regional Graduation Tuition Savings Program (WRGP). The WRPG offers out of state students the in-state tuition rate to attend the following master's programs: Journalism, Bilingual Journalism, and the Accelerated Master’s Program. Click here to learn more.

Dual Degrees. Double your options with a dual degree in journalism and Latin American Studies. You can also opt for one of the following: Legal Studies; Middle Eastern and North African Studies; Public Administration; or Environmental Science. See Dual Degree Options.

Application Deadlines

  • For fall: Rolling deadline, preferably by Feb. 15, but applications will be accepted until April 1 from international students or July 1 from U.S. students
  • For spring: Rolling deadline, preferably by Aug. 1, but applications will be accepted until Sept. 1 from international students or Nov. 1 from U.S. students

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona
  • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Must be bilingual in either Spanish or Portuguese/English.

No. The Master’s program is also open to graduate students with degrees other than journalism.

Yes. Program participants must speak and write English and Spanish fluently. We will also accept students who can speak and write English and Portuguese. As the program evolves, we will incorporate other languages, including Indigenous languages.

International students and others whose native language is not English need to submit recent English proficiency test scores (no more than two years old). Minimum required TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores must be at least 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) and 250 (computer-based). The minimum required IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score is a 7 (with no subject area below a 6). The UA has its own English Proficiency test called the CEPT Full Academic exam. The Graduate College requires a minimum total score of 110.

If you have not lived in a Spanish-speaking country, we will contact you to assess your level of Spanish. It is recommended that you have taken AP Spanish classes in high school and/or college Spanish.

You will receive advice and tutorials to support your progress in English or Spanish. You can also take specific classes in one of the two languages to reinforce your progress.

Currently, the program is face-to-face. But we’re planning to offer an online program very soon.

All Bilingual Journalism Programs begin during Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.

Although we indicate a preferred date for the deadline (before Feb. 15), we have a continuous admission policy. Applications will be accepted until we reach the quota of students for the second cohort. International students should apply by April 15 because securing a visa takes time.

Each student must complete a minimum of 33 units to obtain the master’s degree in Bilingual Journalism. The program is usually completed in two years (four semesters). Some students choose to increase their academic load each term, or take advantage of courses offered in winter/summer semesters in order to graduate sooner.

Cost varies depending on residency status. You can find specific information here: journalism.arizona.edu/graduate-tuition-funding

Yes. Admitted students can apply for specific scholarships from our program, from the university, from the State of Arizona and from the United States. We also have information on international scholarships to which you can apply.

The application form can be found at this link: journalism.arizona.edu/ma-journalism/apply

Once you create your account on the GradApp site, you must provide the following documents:

  • A statement of purpose summarizing your objectives for the program.
  • Recommenders need to fill out an online questionnaire on your behalf.
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Your unofficial transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Minimum GPA for last 60 hours of undergraduate work is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Two writing samples (they can be an essay and/or a journalistic or news piece).
  • English proficiency test scores.

Yes. The journalism school has several dual degree options. You can find more information at this link: journalism.arizona.edu/dual

In 2018, the University of Arizona was officially designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). This means that the university is actively involved in ensuring all the opportunities associated with this designation, such as striving to support the growing enrollment of students from diverse populations, particularly Hispanic and bilingual students. This is part of the university's strategic plan and is reflected in its support for the recruitment and retention of Hispanic students. We have a specific support office for Hispanic students where they can find information and advice for internships and job search, financial aid, academic success, health and wellness, student organizations and cultural centers, among others.

We'll be happy to answer any of your questions. See our contact info below.

Contact Us

For advising and curriculum questions:

Jessica Retis
Professor. Director, School of Journalism
Director, Bilingual Journalism Program
520-621-7556
jessicaretis@arizona.edu

 

Liliana Soto
Assistant Professor of Practice
Assistant Director, Bilingual Journalism Program
520-621-7556
lilianasoto@arizona.edu