School of Journalism Northeastern University

Specialized Graduate Journalism Studies at a Top-ranked University

Northeastern University (NEU) is a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The university's focus on experience-based learning has earned it a number one ranking by both the "U.S. News and World Report" and the "Princeton Review."

Northeastern's School of Journalism has been educating future journalists for over 50 years. Alumni of the School of Journalism hold positions at established media organizations such as Boston's CBS affiliate TV station, the US Government Printing Office, and well-known newspapers such as the "Boston Globe."

Northeastern University offers a Master of Arts in Journalism (MA) in 3 concentrations: professional, journalism in public policy, and research. Class sizes are small, usually 10 to 15 students. Full-time students can complete the MA program in one year. The program also accommodates part-time graduate students or working professionals who need to take required classes in the evening.

Professional Concentration for Journalism Students from all Backgrounds

The professional concentration prepares journalism students for work in the media industry, usually as reporters or editors. This concentration attracts a wide range of students with different levels of experience. Some students have undergraduate degrees in journalism, while others have been working in the field. Those with little journalism experience are welcome in the program and begin with an intensive skills course.

Students in the master's professional concentration take general journalism courses such as enterprise reporting, research methods in journalism, and perspectives on journalism and professional ethics. Real-life experience is imperative in this concentration, so students are encouraged to participate in the co-op option which includes a 6-month paid position in the media at an area employer.

Research Concentration Combines Journalism and Specialized Studies

Students who choose the research concentration typically have established experience in the journalism field and wish to specialize in an area or topic of journalism, such as politics. This program is designed both for journalists who aspire to cover a specialty field and for individuals who wish to begin careers as journalism instructors.

Master's students in this concentration take 9 graduate journalism classes, but also each choose a course of study outside of the journalism department in an area such as history, education, religion, or political science. Students take 3 graduate courses in this specialty. Finally, students in this concentration each complete a thesis on a media issue related to their specialty.

Journalism and Public Policy Concentration

The journalism and public policy concentration at NEU is designed by both the School of Journalism and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Students in this concentration study how government and politics interact with the media. Most students have backgrounds in journalism, either though undergraduate education or careers.

Students take graduate classes from both the School of Journalism and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs in areas such as public policy reporting and enterprise reporting with an urban reporting focus. Students entering the program without journalism experience are encouraged to take prerequisite courses in intensive reporting.

Graduates often work in politics or public relations, which can include campaign work, blogging, political consulting, or staff positions for government officials. These positions are writing and reporting intensive.

Experiential Education Offers Real-World Journalism Experience

Students in the School of Journalism graduate programs can participate in a paid co-op in order to gain real-world experience. Participation in a co-op usually delays graduation by 6 months, but allows the student to work as a reporter or editor in a media company during that time, earning a salary and gaining invaluable work experience.

Many students choose to take advantage of the media opportunities in Boston and seek a co-op employer in the area, but others choose to travel across the US or internationally. Past co-op employers include "Boston Globe," "Boston Herald," Dr. Oz, ESPN, Global Post, MSNBC, Reebok, and Vogue.

Prize-winning Faculty Members with Industry Experience

The School of Journalism faculty is comprised of instructors with at least ten years of industry experience in journalism. Each faculty member continues to be a part of the industry through writing, editing, or producing.

The graduate faculty includes Walter Robinson, an investigative reporter from the "Boston Globe" and leader in a Pulitzer-Prize-winning investigation. Former "U.S. News and World Report" correspondent Nicholas Daniloff teaches foreign and Washington correspondence courses. Charles Fountain, a former professional sportscaster, teaches sports journalism and sports writing.

Admission to Graduate Journalism Programs at Northeastern

Applicants to Northeastern's School of Journalism graduate programs must have bachelor's degrees. The MA in Journalism at Northeastern University requires applicants to each have a GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate studies or show exceptional aptitude in journalism.

A student applying for the research concentration should have a journalism degree or industry experience. To be considered for entry into the program at Northeastern, applicants must submit an application, application fee, personal statement, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.

New England First Amendment Center

The New England First Amendment Center is a group venture between the New England First Amendment Coalition, the Northeastern School of Journalism, and the University's Center for Urban and Regional Policy. The center was founded in response to growing concerns over records and meetings becoming increasingly restricted to journalists and the public.

Many of the Northeastern University journalism faculty members conduct research at the center. In addition, the New England First Amendment Center coordinates educational programs and seminars that students and the general public may attend.

A Vibrant Campus in the Heart of Boston

Northeastern's main campus is located in the heart of Boston, in walking distance to some of the city's most well-known and historic attractions including the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, and Boston Common.

Boston's vibrant media scene provides a perfect backdrop for journalism education. The city is home to media outlets such as "Boston Globe," "Boston Herald," "Boston Phoenix," and "Boston Magazine."

More information is available regarding The College of Arts, Media, and Design, graduate applications and graduate studies at Northeastern University.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Arts (MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 14
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Required for some
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied58
• Accepted42
• Acceptance Rate72%
• Enrolled11
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline February 1st February 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test, minimum GPA of 3.0
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesNot Reported

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsMarch 1
• Types of financial support availableTuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans, Graduate Assistantships

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchOnline journalism, broadcast news, foreign reporting, presidential debates, sporting society
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported