The Master of Science degree in Communication and Information with a concentration in Journalism and Electronic Media has two tracks:

The professional program emphasizes training in journalism for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the web. Students do a culminating project for their final course. The research track is for students who may want to pursue a doctorate and go into teaching or research for a career. These students will complete a thesis.

In their core courses, students will receive a solid background in research, theory, and law and will learn advanced skills in reporting and editing. Also, students will select electives to give them specialized information in fields like magazines, science communication, broadcast news operations, Web reporting, etc. Students will be assigned advisors who will help them design a program to meet their needs and goals.

The program attracts two types of students:

Those with a professional background who wish to expand and update their skills and those who have an undergraduate degree in a field outside of journalism and no professional experience. For the second group of students, the program requires two three-hour courses in the summer before the program starts. These two intensive workshops provide a thorough background in the skills and knowledge necessary for a quality graduate program. No other prerequisites are required. Therefore, students with a professional background can complete the program in a calendar year and students without the background can finish in 13 months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Must I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism to enter the master’s program?
It is not required for you to have a degree in journalism or another related communications field to be admitted to our program. In fact, our professional track is perfectly suited to recent graduates or mid-career professionals without a journalism degree or background. Students without a journalism background will take two intensive journalism workshop courses during the summer school semester prior to beginning the master’s program, which have been designed to bring students up to speed prior to the beginning of graduate coursework.

What is the length of the master’s program?
Our master’s program is designed to take one calendar year to complete, not including the 6-week workshop courses, if required. The fall and spring semesters are spent taking coursework, and the summer semester is spent working on the internship/project, professional project, or thesis.

What is the difference between the professional track and the research track?
The professional track is designed to provide students who have little or no journalism background with advanced education in journalism issues and with training in journalism skills across the media. The capstone experience in the professional track focuses on an internship plus project or professional project, which can be tailored to be directly applicable to the student’s future career aspirations. The professional track also requires a competency exam.

The research track, which can also work for students with little or no journalism background, is designed primarily for students who may be planning to work on a doctoral degree in mass communication. The track requires an additional research methods course and the completion of a thesis.

Can I enter the program and start my coursework in the spring semester?
No. Our program is designed to begin in the fall semester. The admissions committee reviews applications, selects, and notifies the candidates chosen for admission during the spring semester. If a candidate accepts, he or she will begin classes either with the intensive workshop offered during the second summer session or in the fall.

To apply, go to UTK Graduate School’s website: university application form.

For more information on the programs, application procedures, and scholarship and assistantship opportunities, visit the College’s Office of Graduate Studies.

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