Graduate Bulletin

Journalism, M.J.

SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1

Spring:  November 1

All application materials must be received by the appropriate deadline to be eligible for assistantships and scholarships. Any application completed after a deadline may be considered for the following semester of admission.

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 familiar with the applicant's academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

No specific courses are required for admission, but a professional background is highly recommended.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your focus in the program; and your talents and achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

Standardized test scores at or above the 65th percentile are expected. Acceptable tests include the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MAT. All scores must be less than 5 years old.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 105 iBT or 620 PBT.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Writing Sample:

Professional, published articles or papers are preferred as a writing sample.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the M.J. program but must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 8.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 40

Required Courses:

JRN 5001:  Contemporary Issues in Journalism

JRN 5002:  News Reporting

JRN 5003:  News Editing

JRN 5004:  Computer Assisted Reporting and Research

JRN 5005:  Communication Law

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Students must pass an examination in three fields of study. Students have a week to complete three questions submitted by faculty members in separate fields. Students must have a 3.0 overall grade point average to graduate.

Culminating Events:

Comprehensive Exam:

The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to demonstrate competence in three areas of study in the Master of Journalism Program. Students request three major professors to submit three separate questions for the exam. Students have a week to complete it. Students must take Communication Law or Communication History as one area of the exam, but may choose two other areas from subjects studied. The examination is taken during or after the last semester of coursework.

The graduate faculty in the Master of Journalism Program participate based on the student's choice and that of the M.J. Director. The graduate faculty members who write the questions also evaluate the answers. Each examination is evaluated by two faculty members, each voting to pass or fail the student. If the members are not in agreement, a third faculty member reads and evaluates the examination and determines the outcome. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. Students must successfully pass all questions on the exam in order to qualify as satisfactorily completing the requirement. Comprehensive examinations are administered at various times during the year.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

http://smc.temple.edu/journalism/

Department Information:

Master of Journalism Program
316 Annenberg Hall
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122

nmckenna@temple.edu
215-204-1497

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Nicole McKenna
nmckenna@temple.edu
215-204-1497

Program Director:

Edward Trayes, Ph.D.

trayes@temple.edu

215-204-8344

Chairperson:

Andrew Mendelson, Ph.D.

amendels@temple.edu

215-204-5020

About the Program

The Master of Journalism Program provides both introductory and advanced study for students who wish to begin or advance their careers in news and information, including broadcast and print reporters, magazine editors and writers, media managers, and those working in online news and information. Students receive instruction from award-winning media practitioners from the Philadelphia region and have the opportunity to study under a well-regarded faculty at a Research I institution. Students may find many freelance and internship opportunities in the nation's fourth largest media market.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location:

Main, Center City

Courses are primarily offered at the well-equipped and professional facility of Temple University Center City (TUCC) campus, a location across from the Philadelphia City Hall and appropriate for a professional news training program. Some classes are also offered on Main Campus, 15 minutes away by subway, bus, or automobile. Parking is available at both sites.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Master of Journalism Program
316 Annenberg Hall
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122

nmckenna@temple.edu
215-204-1497

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework for students who may find appropriate coursework in areas outside the Master of Journalism Program. Students are encouraged to select courses from other university departments if those courses are appropriate to the student's career goals.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

M.J. students may participate in the London Program offered by the School of Media and Communication in the Summer and Fall semesters.

Ranking:

The Master of Journalism Program at Temple University is the only one of its kind in the state and one of just a handful of programs in the United States. The program is proud that it provides professional training within a University liberal arts context appropriate for individuals who seek to be leaders in their field.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Coursework is offered in the following areas: news reporting for print, broadcast, and online distribution; magazine writing; news and magazine management; law and ethics; communication history; and specialized classes in sports writing, documentary photography, electronic information gathering, computer-assisted reporting, Web design, and other areas.

Job Placement:

The program is dedicated to training professional practitioners in mass media, newspaper and broadcast reporters, magazine writers, and professionals in emerging fields such as Web design and the Internet. The program also emphasizes critical thinking, ethical concerns, historical context, and the development of specialized knowledge bases.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students may apply up to 4 credits to the program requirements with the permission of the Master of Journalism Program Director and/or the Master of Journalism Committee. Non-matriculated students may choose to take JRN 5001: Contemporary Issues in Journalism and JRN 5002: News Reporting on a space-available basis.

Financing Opportunities

The program offers limited Teaching and/or Research Assistantships. Applications for the assistantships should be made at the time of application for admission. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis that includes consideration of, among other things, GRE scores. Assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition remission (up to 9 credits each semester). Applications should include a statement of experience, areas of interest, and future goals; transcripts; and a curriculum vitae.

Updated 4.21.14