Description
    This program, presented as an option within the M.A./M.S. degree, is designed for those holding bachelor’s degrees who have little or no academic or professional media background and who want to acquire professional skills within an intellectual context.  Areas of specialization are news-editorial journalism and magazine journalism.
    The Graduate Affairs Committee carefully considers each applicant and determines their readiness for the advanced graduate curriculum. The program begins with a summer of background and preparatory work and is followed by at least three quarters of course work and a quarter devoted to the creation of a professional project. In addition,  a quarter devoted to a professional internship is strongly recommended.
   
Course Requirements
News-Editorial and magazine areas of specialization emphasize different skills, but have the following in common:
∑ 46 credit graduation requirement, 24 of which must be graded
∑ 15-18 month program
∑ a summer preparatory experience
∑ two 600-level core courses:  J611 and J625
∑ a final professional project

News-Editorial Professional Master’s Program Requirements
1. Summer background and preparatory work (no graduate credit awarded): Readings in Mass Media & Society, Reporting and Information Strategies (J408), Photojournalism Workshop (J408) and Newspaper Editing (J561).
2. Introduction to the Faculty (J625) and Mass Communication & Society (J611)
3. 500- or 600-level ethics course or other conceptual course approved by adviser.
4. At least four graduate-level craft courses in news-editorial or a directly related area chosen from the following list and selected by the student and adviser based on the student’s professional objectives: Reporting II, Specialized Reporting, Advanced Editing, Newspaper Design, Journalistic Interview, Newspaper Editing  (see the Graduate Secretary before registering for this class).
5. Three 500- and 600- level electives within the SOJC, including any graduate seminars and craft courses the student and adviser deem pertinent.  Essential courses outside the SOJC may be included with adviser’s endorsement.

Magazine Professional Master’s Program Requirements
1. Summer background and preparatory work (no graduate credit awarded):  Readings in Mass Media & Society, Reporting and Information Strategies (J408), Photojournalism Workshop (J408) and News Editing (J561).
2. Introduction to the Faculty (J625), Mass Communication & Society (J611)
3. 500- or 600-level ethics course, or other conceptual course approved by adviser.
4. At least four 500-level craft courses in magazine journalism or a directly related area chosen from the following list and selected by the student and adviser based on the student’s professional objectives: Magazine Writing II, Writing the Nonfiction Book, Magazine Feature Editing, The Magazine Editor, Magazine Design and Production, Journalistic Interview (see Grad Secretary before registering for these classes).
5. Three 500- and 600-level electives within the SOJC, including any graduate seminars and craft courses the student and adviser deem pertinent.  Essential courses outside the SOJC may be included, with adviser’s endorsement.

 
 
 News-Editorial and Magazine Professional Master’s Checklist

At least 46 graduate (500 or 600 level) credits (at least 24 graded) with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Summer Preparatory Courses No graduate credit earned (except for J561)
        Readings in Mass Media and Society
        Reporting and Information Strategies (J408)
        Photojournalism Workshop (J408)
        News Editing (J561)


Conceptual Core:
        J625 Introduction to the Faculty (1)
        J611 Mass Communication & Society (4)
        J5/600 Additional conceptual course

At least 4 craft courses approved by adviser

        J500/600
        J500/600
        J500/600
        J500/600


Elective graduate level credits (must be approved by adviser and may include courses outside SOJC)

        500/600
        500/600
        500/600


Terminal Project

        J609 Terminal Project (minimum 6 credits)


Terminal Project Checklist – Should be completed in order
        Adviser selected           
        Second reader selected
        Terminal project proposal approved and completed, and filed with SOJC
        Human Subjects Research Compliance Approval (if needed)
        Enrolled for at least 3 graduate credits during graduating term (at least 1 of J609)
        Foreign language requirement completed (MA students only)
        Applied for graduation on Grad Web by second week of term in which you plan to graduate
        One copy of terminal project submitted to SOJC







Admission


Coursework


Choose adviser/chair, second reader
and write project proposal

Proposals for a thesis or project must be in writing and approved by adviser and second reader no later than the end of the quarter before the student plans to graduate. For December graduates, we recommend that students complete this process in the Spring term.


Project research and writing

Students complete this step during the quarter in which they plan to graduate.  Students register for J609 while working on their project.  A final copy of the project must be submitted to the SOJC Graduate Secretary before the Grad School will approve graduation.


Diploma



Term-by-term Professional Master’s Worksheet
Summer (Term 1)
Required    Required    Required
J408 Reporting and Information Strategies
    J408 Photo Workshop     J561 -News Editing

Fall (Term 2)
Required    Required    Required    Recommended
J611 Mass Comm and  Society    J563  Journalistic Interview     J625 Intro to Faculty     J573 Magazine Feature Editing OR J568 Advanced Newspaper Editing

Winter (Term 3)
Required    Recommended Crafts (2)    Recommended
J6XX Journalistic Writing I.     Photo, The Mag Editor, Mag Design, Mag II, Reporting II, Specialized reporting options (Arts, Environmental Writing; Power Reporting)
    J Ethics or Theory course approved by adviser


Spring (Term 4)
Required    Recommended Crafts (2)    Elective
J6XX: Journalistic Writing II.     Flux, Photo or Advanced Photo, Mag Editor, Magazine II, Reporting II, Specialty Reporting Classes (Arts, Envir Writing; Power Reporting)
   

Summer (Term 5)
Strongly Recommended    Optional   
Internship    Final project credit   

Fall (Term 6)
Required    Elective   
Final Project Credit