Professional MA

The Professional MA typically leads to careers in news and information production. In collaboration with an advisor, students construct a program of required and elective courses that emphasizes in-depth coursework in a variety of nonfiction genres such as investigative reporting or literary journalism. This 30-credit degree should combine a mix of courses on practical communication skills, conceptual knowledge of journalism and mass communication, and an area of specialization.

Skills classes are a significant component of this program. However, a hallmark of the Wisconsin method of journalism education is that press theory and the role journalists play in society are given equal weight. The development of a specialty in journalism is a central component of this program. As such, all applications will be considered, however preference will be given to those seeking to pursue and build journalistic credentials within a specialty area in order to seek a job in the professional world.

This program is particularly well suited for people with undergraduate degrees in non-journalism areas seeking journalistic skills to enhance existing areas of interest or general assignment reporters who seek a specialization. Thus, applicants should have a strong notion of what kind of specialty they might want to pursue before enrolling and indicate that interest on the application.