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Master of Arts

Journalism

About the Program

We offer master's degrees for students wishing to become journalists or professional communicators in the United States or abroad, as well as for those interested in studying the impact of the media on social, political, economic and cultural decisions and events around the world.

Our programs are designed for students who have a journalism background as well as those who have no previous journalism experience. Full-time students can complete the curriculum in as little as one year. Part-time students are welcome. Excellent undergraduate students can earn an M.A. degree in one extra year through our Accelerated Master's Program.

What Can We Offer You?

Western Regional Graduation Tuition Savings Program (WRGP). The WRPG offers out-of-state students in selected markets 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.

Learn journalism fundamentals. We offer classes in reporting, writing, multimedia, theory, media analysis, law and ethics. 

The Border and the World. Our students report from the U.S.-Mexico border, just 60 miles from campus, as well as the Middle East and Latin America. We are also home to the Center for Border and Global Journalism. 

Science and Environmental Journalism. You can specialize in communicating about science and the environment. The University of Arizona is home to the world-renowned Arizona Institute for Resilience, the Banner – University Medical Center, the Bio5 Institute, Biosphere 2, the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research and the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.

Dual Degrees. Double your options with a dual degree in journalism: Bilingual Journalism, Studies of Global Media, Legal Studies, Latin American Studies; Middle Eastern and North African Studies; Public Administration;  or Environmental Science. 

Graduate Specialties. You can add a specialty to your diploma and transcript in Digital Journalism, Global Journalism, or Science and Environmental Journalism. 

Experienced Faculty. Work alongside award-winning professors who have been professional journalists around the globe with experience at BBC World News, Arizona Public Media, Panamericana Television, the Arizona Daily Star, Nogales International and KJZZ Phoenix. Our tenure-track faculty also have extensive research experience as scholars, including expertise acquired at the Pew Research Center and University of Oxford Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. 

Real-World Experience. Learn by doing with hands-on skills classes, apprenticeships, internships in media outlets around the country and study-abroad classes in Italy. Walk away with a professional project to highlight in job interviews or a thesis that spotlights your research talents. 

Career Pathways

Obtaining an M.A. in Journalism will provide you with several career pathways, including entry to doctoral programs in communication, journalism studies and media. Other positions may include:

  • Journalist
  • News editor
  • Digital content creator
  • Social media manager
  • Sports media professional
  • Science communicator
  • Broadcaster
  • Photojournalist
  • Radio/podcast producer
  • Sports media communicator
  • Videographer
     

Application Deadlines

  • For fall:
    • Preferred deadline: Feb. 15
    • Hard deadline: April 1 (international students), May 1 (domestic students)
  • For spring:
    • Preferred deadline: Sept. 15
    • Hard deadline: Oct. 1 (international students), Nov. 1 (domestic students)

Contact Us

For general questions:
Jan Lauren Boyles

Director

boyles3@arizona.edu

  

For advising questions:

Meredith Edwards
Program Coordinator 
maedwards@arizona.edu

 

For Bilingual Journalism Program questions:

Jessica Retis

Professor
jessicaretis@arizona.edu