Journalism, M.J.
LEW KLEIN COLLEGE OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
About the Program
Temple’s one-year Master of Journalism program directly engages with the rich and diverse communities of Philadelphia. Coursework and reporting projects focus on the problems and opportunities of urban life. Hands-on multimedia work is combined with the study of journalism’s evolving roles and practices. Students learn by experiencing what it is like to work in today’s ever-changing media environment. In recognition of the exciting evolution underway in the news industry, the program is designed to help current and aspiring journalists develop into engaged and innovative professionals.
The program benefits greatly from its location at Temple University in the fourth-largest media market in the United States, one ripe with innovation. Philadelphia is full of journalistic initiatives, including startups and nonprofits that are rethinking metropolitan, niche, and ethnic media. The city’s daily newspapers are owned by a nonprofit organization, an experiment many hope will represent a path to sustainability for news organizations around the country. Students interact with journalists and innovators from these organizations. The program takes advantage of rich reporting opportunities in the Philadelphia area, a city with a vibrant culture, a highly diverse population, and significant challenges common to other cities, including crime, development controversies, economic inequity, educational equity, and race relations. Because these issues are ongoing, they are sometimes underreported in the city’s mainstream news media. The Urban Reporting Lab and the capstone reporting project provide opportunities for M.J. students to tackle such problems in innovative ways as they pursue their graduate education and seek to make a difference.
The one-year, 30-credit program is designed to provide rigorous training as a cohort experience, encouraging students to work together and learn from one another as well as Master of Journalism faculty, local journalists, and other innovators. This process begins with an immersive training experience before the first academic term and ends with a capstone project in the summer term in which students do independent reporting work with the goal of producing a journalistic masterwork.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program is expected to be completed on a full-time basis.
Areas of Specialization: Coursework is demanding and prepares students to work as professional journalists in the media of their choice. Specialized training is available in broadcast journalism, community journalism, entrepreneurial journalism, investigative reporting, podcasting, and various forms of digital journalism. Students develop a specialization through an elective course and a self-guided capstone project.
Job Prospects: The program is dedicated to training professional practitioners in journalism and media careers. Former students have also found success as freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are encouraged to begin with introductory and required courses. If accepted to the program, those courses may be applied toward the degree program, provided grade requirements have been met. Consistent with Graduate School policy, students are permitted to take up to 9 credits before deciding whether to apply formally to the program.
Financing Opportunities: The program offers limited scholarships for outstanding applicants.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: February 15
Admission is open for the Fall term only. Applications are accepted after the deadline, but late applications cannot be guaranteed full scholarship consideration.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members, professional supervisors, or others familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional competence. At least one letter should be from an academic reference.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required for admission. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in fields other than journalism and communication are welcome provided they can demonstrate sufficient interest in and proficiency with journalistic communication and practice.
Statement of Goals: In approximately 1,000 words, explain:
- your interest in journalism and your view of its place in society,
- your career goals in journalism, and
- your interests, experiences, and the academic or professional achievements you bring to the program.
This statement is used to assess “fit,” or how you will benefit from our program and what you will contribute to our learning community. Toward this end, please review the descriptions of our program, curriculum, and faculty, and incorporate this content into your statement. The strongest statement integrates your answers to the above prompts into a coherent essay.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional. Scores submitted are preferred to be at least 65% on the verbal section with a writing score of at least 3.5. If you elect to not submit GRE scores, a writing sample is required.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 105
- IELTS Academic: 7.0
- PTE Academic: 72
Resume: Current resume or curriculum vitae is required.
Writing Sample: A writing sample is strongly encouraged, but required if not submitting GRE scores. Published journalistic works (e.g., in professional outlets or college media) are preferred. You may also submit a formal academic paper from your undergraduate studies that represents your best writing. In this case, please indicate on a cover sheet when, for what course, and at which institution the paper was produced.
Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the M.J. program, subject to approval of the Master of Journalism committee. Requests to transfer credits must be submitted during the first term of matriculation so that the student’s future curriculum can be planned. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Summer II | ||
JRN 5301 | Introduction to Urban Journalism | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 3 | |
Fall | ||
JRN 5302 | Urban Reporting Lab 1 | 6 |
JRN 5303 | Journalism Concepts | 3 |
JRN 5304 | Editing the News | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 12 | |
Spring | ||
JRN 5305 | Urban Reporting Lab 2 | 6 |
JRN 5306 | Journalism and the Public Interest | 3 |
JRN Elective | 3 | |
Term Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year 2 | ||
Summer I | ||
JRN 5307 | Capstone Reporting Experience | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 3 | |
Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Culminating Events:
Capstone Project:
JRN 5307 Capstone Reporting Experience constitutes the culminating event.
Courses
JRN 5001. Crit Perspectives Journ. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5002. Reporting and Writing I. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5004. Computer-Assisted Reporting and Research. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5005. Communication Law. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5012. Reporting and Writing II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5013. Editing the News II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5003|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5102. International Reporting. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5121. Magazine Writing. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5151. Literary Writing in Journalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5201. The American Magazine. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5211. Media Management. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5212. The Entrepreneurial Journalist. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5213. Solutions Journalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5221. Journalism and Mass Communication History. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5251. Mass Communication Research Methods. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5252. Models of Journalism Around the World. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5301. Introduction to Urban Journalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5302. Urban Reporting Lab 1. 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5303. Journalism Concepts. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5304. Editing the News. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5305. Urban Reporting Lab 2. 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
JRN 5302|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
JRN 5306. Journalism and the Public Interest. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5307. Capstone Reporting Experience. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
JRN 5601. Temple Journalism Review. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(JRN 5012|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
AND JRN 5013|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
JRN 5602. Documentary Journalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(JRN 5012|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
AND JRN 5013|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
JRN 5603. Urban Reporting Lab. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(JRN 5012|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
AND JRN 5013|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
JRN 5700. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5710. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5720. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5730. Seminars in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5740. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5750. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5760. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5770. Seminars in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5780. Seminars in Communication. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5790. Seminars in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5800. Seminars in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5810. Seminars in Communication. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5820. Seminars in Communication. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5890. Seminars in Communication Abroad. 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5982. Directed Projects. 1 to 8 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5983. Directed Readings Comm. 1 to 4 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
JRN 5986. Internship. 1 to 4 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://klein.temple.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-journalism
Department Information:
Lew Klein College of Media and Communication
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
2020 N. 13th Street, 344 Annenberg Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6015
215-204-8560