The Missouri School of Journalism Doctoral Teaching Fellowship Program

The goal of the program is to expand the “Missouri Method” into doctoral training. Participants in this program will learn how to teach undergraduate classes that range from media writing courses to large lectures to seminar classes. Along with learning how to teach, fellows will work with faculty members on research involving teaching pedagogy and instruction.  Just as journalism undergraduate students learn by doing, so will fellows in this program.

Teaching fellows will also learn how to become scholars. Fellows will work with doctoral faculty members in journalism and throughout the university. The Journalism School offers a comprehensive set of real-media experiences, allowing you to connect theory, research and practice in a real-world setting. We strongly encourage doctoral students to participate in interdisciplinary research.

Applicants who have significant professional experience and have earned a master’s degree will learn how to impart that knowledge to the next generation. They will also learn research skills that can help chart a course for the future of journalism.

Program Structure

• Stipends — the annual stipend for a doctoral fellow will be $33,500 a year (fall, spring, summer) for 4 years.
• Full tuition waiver
• Health insurance.
• Up to $5,000 in funding for research and travel to professional and academic conferences.

Synor Doctoral Fellowship Program

The Synor Fellow will be working towards a PhD in Journalism with an emphasis in strategic communication: Advertising, Crisis Communication, Health Communication, or Public Relations.

Synor was a 1942 graduate of the School of Journalism. According to Item Nine of Mr. Synor’s Last Will and Testament, the gift is to “. . .the University of Missouri School of Journalism to establish a fund to provide scholarships to students of all races and creeds, enrolled in the School of Journalism and majoring in advertising.”

Program Structure

• Stipends — the annual stipend for a doctoral fellow will be $33,500 a year (fall, spring, summer) for 4 years.
• Full tuition waiver
• Health insurance.

RJI Doctoral Fellowship

Participants in this fellowship will work with the RJI research director on current research in the areas of journalism and strategic communication. The RJI fellow will develop their own research agenda while also working collaboratively with faculty on current research being done at the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

Program Structure

• Stipends — the annual stipend for a doctoral fellow will be $31,200 a year (fall, spring, summer).
• Payment of tuition and fees.
• Health insurance.

Up to $5,000 a year in funding for research and travel to professional and academic conferences.

• All Funding extends over the four years of the program (three years of course work and one year for dissertation work).
• Fellows will be required to work with the RJI Research Director on applied research that is of immediate interest to the journalism and strategic communication industry. There will be teaching opportunities available after consultation with the RJI Research Director and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. 
• Fellows will also be expected to develop their own research agenda, work collaboratively on other research efforts at the Journalism School and around the country to produce scholarship and actionable guidance for the industry under the supervision of the RJI Research Director.
• Applicants must meet the requirements specified by the MU Graduate School and the School of Journalism for admission to the doctoral program, including substantial professional experience.

Questions?

Call 573-882-4852 or email us at JourGraduateStudies@missouri.edu.