Five-Year BJ/MA Model
Computer-Assisted Reporting

Graduate Studies Administration

Margaret Duffy Strategic Communication Chair View All Graduate Faculty

Graduate Master's Studies Staff

Adviser: MA Program Martha Pickens Graduate Advising Staff Ginny Cowell Graduate Studies Staff

Journalism MA Program

About the MA Curriculum Application Form Checklist (Domestic) Checklist (International) Financing Your Degree Frequently-Asked Questions Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF: 21K) MU Graduate School 2006-2007 Handbooks Two-Year Master's Handbook (PDF: 891K) Five-Year BJ/MA Handbook (PDF: 762K) 2005/2004 MA Handbooks 2005 Two-Year Master's Handbook (PDF: 410K) 2004 Two-Year Master's Handbook (PDF: 341K)

Graduate Publications

List of Master's Projects List of Theses/Dissertations Grad Studies Newsletters AEJMC 2008 (PDF: 546K) May 2008 (PDF: 521K) Feb. 2008 (PDF: 410K) Jan. 2008 (PDF: 534K) Oct. 2007 (PDF: 622K) Sept. 2007 (PDF: 494K) AEJMC 2007 (PDF: 387K) May 2007 (PDF: 581K) April 2007 (PDF: 575K) March 2007 (PDF: 846K) Jan. 2007 (PDF: 405K) Nov. 2006 (PDF: 498K) Oct. 2006 (PDF: 720K) View All Available Newsletters Submit a News Item

Today's best reporters use sophisticated techniques to gather information. Often, this involves tapping into government and non-government databases and analyzing information on computers. This model allows students to build an area of specialization in this important field by receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in five years. At least one summer session is required. Students in this program work directly with faculty involved in managing Investigative Reporters and Editors and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting. IRE, based at the School, is the nation's leading support organization for investigative reporters. NICAR, a joint venture of IRE and the School, trains working reporters in the same techniques students learn.

Note: Some courses will not be offered every semester. Plan accordingly by checking with your graduate adviser and the Registrar's Schedule of Courses Online for current course availability.

Prerequisites

• JOURN 7430 Computer-Assisted Reporting (3 Credits) Highly recommended.
• JOURN 7460 Advanced Reporting (3 Credits)

Program Core: 6 Credits

• JOURN 8000 Mass Media Seminar (3 Credits)
• JOURN 8006 Quantitative Research Methods (3 Credits) or
  JOURN 8008 Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)

CAR Reporting Core: 8 Credits

• JOURN 7050 Communications Practice (2 Credits: 1 Credit Each Semester)
• JOURN 7436 Investigative Reporting (3 Credits) Highly recommended.

Students must choose one of the following:

• JOURN 7410 Intermediate Writing (3 Credits)
• JOURN 7416 Science, Health and Environmental Writing (3 Credits)
• JOURN 7438 Business Journalism and Economics Reporting (3 Credits)
• JOURN 7986 Advanced Writing (3 Credits)
• JOURN 8046 Controls of Information (3 Credits)

Outside Electives: 6 Credits

• ECONOM 7315 Public Economics (3 Credits)
• ECONOM 7316 State and Local Finance (3 Credits)
• ECONOM 7322 Economics, Regulation and Antitrust (3 Credits)
• ECONOM 7325 International Monetary System (3 Credits)
• ECONOM 7326 Economics of International Trade (3 Credits)
• ECONOM 7329 Banking System and the Money Market (3 Credits)
• SOCIOL 7315 Social Demography (3 Credits)
• SOCIOL 7335 Social Change and Trends (3 Credits)
• SOCIOL 7510 Social Movements and Conflicts (3 Credits)

Capstone: 10 Credits

• JOURN 8098 MA Project Seminar (1 Credit) and
  JOURN 8190 Area Problem in Journalism (9 Credits)
  
  

• JOURN 8100 MA Thesis Seminar (1 Credit) and
  JOURN 8090 Research in Journalism (9 Credits)

Total Suggested for Graduation: 30 Credits

Note: The University requires at least half of a graduate student's coursework to be in 8000-level (or greater) courses. 4000-level (and below) courses do not carry graduate credit. Please plan accordingly; check with your graduate adviser.

Two-Year MA Program Models

Five-Year BJ/MA Program Models