Journalism, M.A.

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Earning a master’s degree at the Reynolds School requires an intense commitment to thinking and learning about interactive journalism. The program is designed for journalists who want to deepen their understanding of how journalism contributes to democracy, learn how to apply digital media skills to journalistic endeavors and create new forms of interactive journalism.

Contact Information

Patrick File, Associate Professor/Graduate Program Director,
School of Journalism
(775) 784-4894
pfile@unr.edu

Gi W. Yun, Dean
301 Reynolds School of Journalism
(775) 784-6531

Graduate Handbook *

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate program in Media Innovation explores a simple but profound set of questions: What role does, and can, journalism play in helping people generate, evaluate, share and act on civic knowledge? Can we use interactive and innovative forms of journalism to connect citizens in a discussion about public issues that enriches everyone’s understanding?

The program is designed for students with skills in writing and critical thinking. We start off with courses in written and multimedia storytelling and the futureof media. We engage graduate fellows in re-imagining media by applying theoretical groundings, intellectual rigor and practical insights to experiments in media innovation.

Admission Requirements

Those interested in the program should submit an application and all supporting credentials by March 15 for fall admission. Our priority deadline is February 1, applicants recommended for acceptance will be given first priority in the awarding of graduate assistantships. After March 15, applications will continue to be accepted for the fall until the program is full. However, graduate assistantships will be available only in limited circumstances.

Application is available from the Graduate School web site: http://www.unr.edu/grad/admissions. You must create an account before completing the application. The Graduate School must also receive:

Official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
International students whose native language is not English must also provide scores on the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo exam.
Letter of intent explaining why you want to pursue graduate work in this program, what you hope to gain from participating, the assets you bring to the program and how you plan to use the degree after graduation.
Three letters of reference from employers, former professors or deans, or others familiar with your work or otherwise able to assess your likelihood of success in graduate study.
Professional work samples, if available. These could include published articles or photographs, or other examples of your professional experience.

The Reynolds School of Journalism graduate admissions committee will evaluate all candidates based on their success in undergraduate studies, their professional accomplishments, statement of intent, letters of reference and potential for contributing to a robust and well-balanced cohort.

I. Program Requirements

The degree requires completing 30 credits of graduate credit. Students may select the thesis or the non-thesis option. With the thesis option, students enroll in a 6-credit thesis course; with the non-thesis option, students enroll in a 3-credit professional project or research paper course and also sign up for a 3-credit summer internship course. The program features six specific graduate courses and an additional four electives.

A. Maintaining Progress

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree according to the Reynolds School Graduate Handbook and all UNR Graduate School policies.

B. Thesis, Professional Project, or Portfolio

Each student must complete a thesis (6 HRS), a professional project (3 HRS), or A portfolio (1 HR) based on professional work conducted while in the master’s degree program. Students who elect to create the professional portfolio must register for a 1-unit portfolio defense and an additional 2 or 3-unit elective. The topic of the thesis, or the professional project, and its form, will be developed by the student and a graduate faculty advisor, with the intent that the work be of value to the discipline and practice of journalism.

The advisory committee must consist of three or more members of the graduate faculty, one being from a school or college outside the Reynolds School of Journalism. The chair must be a member of the Reynolds School of Journalism graduate faculty. Once approved by the dean of the Graduate School, advisory committee members can be changed only with the Graduate School dean’s approval.

A consultative meeting of the student and the advisory committee must be held to discuss revisions of and refinements to a thesis, a paper or a project proposal. The student must work closely with the committee, and particularly the committee chair, throughout the process.

C. Oral Defense

Upon completion of the thesis, professional project, or portfolio, the master’s candidate prepares an oral defense of the work. It is evaluated as a measure of the student’s conceptual and journalistic abilities. The student schedules the defense, with the consent of the committee, prior to the last day of the program. All members of the committee must have adequate time to read the thesis, or view the project or portfolio before the oral examination. Students should make certain their Program of Study form is filed by the Graduate School deadline and that the Notice of Completion is filed after successful completion of the oral defense.

D. Required Courses

To qualify for the master of arts degree with a major in journalism, a student must satisfy the following academic requirements:

JOUR 695 - Practicum (1-3 units) (NOT required for thesis option)
JOUR 707 - Storytelling I: Writing (3 units)
JOUR 720 - The Future of Media (3 units)
JOUR 755 - Media Engagement and Innovation (3 units)
JOUR 756 - Storytelling II: Multimedia (3 units)
Electives (9 or 12 units)
JOUR 796 - Professional Paper (3 to 5 units) OR
JOUR 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units) OR
A 1-unit portfolio defense and an additional 2 or 3 unit elective
Note(s):
- The 12 units of recommended or other electives are subject to approval by the director of graduate studies.
- Maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall.
- Of the 30 graduate credits required, at least 12 must be in courses numbered 700 or higher for portfolio defense and professional paper students. For thesis students, at least 9 credits must be in courses numbered 700 or higher. Courses numbered lower than 600 are not counted toward the degree. With the exception of JOUR 695 , JOUR 796 , or JOUR 797 , no course may be taken for S/U.

E. Electives

The following is a list of commonly chosen coursework. Students typically find electives both within and outside the School of Journalism. Coursework should be determined in conjunction with an advisor and approved by the graduate program director.

JOUR 601 - First Amendment and Society (3 units)
JOUR 604 - Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Surveillance Society (3 units)
JOUR 613 - Media History (3 units)
JOUR 618 - Magazine Writing (3 units)
JOUR 625 - Audio: Radio, Podcasting, and Beyond (3 units)
JOUR 632 - Creative Solutions for Strategic Communications (3 units)
JOUR 640 - Advanced Media Production Studio (3 units)
JOUR 642 - Advanced Strategic Communications (3 units)
JOUR 643 - Strategic Communications Campaigns Studio (3 units)
JOUR 646 - Crisis Communication (3 units)
JOUR 648 - Data Visualization for Social Engagement (3 units)
JOUR 652 - Web Design for Media Professionals (3 units)
JOUR 655 - Human Centered Design and Innovation (3 units)
JOUR 660 - News Studio (3 units)
JOUR 662 - Documentary Filmmaking (3 units)
JOUR 665 - Noticiero Movil (3 units)
JOUR 680 - Communicating Innovation (3 units)
JOUR 681 - Race, Gender and Media (3 units)
JOUR 682 - International and Cross-Cultural Reporting (3 units)
JOUR 691A - Special Topics in Professional Practice (1 to 3 units)
JOUR 691B - Special Topics in Professional Practice: Journalism Lab (1 to 3 units)
JOUR 793 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)

II. Program Total Hours (30 units)

Notes

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: The Reynolds School of Journalism welcomes applications from international students, believing that mutual benefit is derived when students from other countries are in the program. The school also recognizes that journalism, more than many other fields, requires language skill. International students must be able to follow rapid speech both in the field and the classroom, as well as to deal with abstract ideas communicated in English. International applicants must meet the language requirements established by the UNR Graduate School which may require language exams. Please see the UNR Graduate School Graduate Admission Requirements for more information.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS: Graduate assistantships are available through the Reynolds School of Journalism. Graduate assistants may teach or assist with research. They may work in the journalism school on or more of the School’s initiatives or projects. Graduate assistants receive stipends for one academic year. Stipends are accompanied by grants-in-aid covering tuition. Students applying for assistantships should file their applications with the Reynolds School of Journalism by March 15. Assistantships are awarded only to students who are officially admitted to graduate standing.