Investigative Journalism, MA
Accountability Journalism, Criminal Justice, Data Journalism, Documentary, Enterprise Reporting, Health, Investigative Journalism, Investigative Reporting, Journalism, Journalist, Magazine, investigation, media, writing
Spring and Summer applications are only open to current undergraduate Cronkite students in the accelerated master's program.
Launch into a high-level reporting career with the nation's first master's degree in investigative journalism. Once you combine your existing experience with what you learn from award-winning investigative journalists, you'll be ready to expose injustice and produce stories with national impact. In as few as 12 months, you can prepare to become a powerhouse investigative storyteller.
The Master's of Arts program in investigative journalism prepares students to launch high-level investigative reporting careers at the world's most prestigious news organizations.
This program is designed for career switchers who have experience in fields such as law, health, business, government and the arts, and for early-career and mid-career journalists who want to develop specialization in investigative techniques.
Students combine their existing knowledge with investigative reporting techniques, multimedia production skills and interdisciplinary research methods to produce storytelling with deep public impact.
- College/school:
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
36 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570)
Required Core (12 credit hours)
MCO 503 Media Law (3)
MCO 510 Data Journalism (3)
MCO 530 History, Philosophy and Ethics of Journalism (3)
MCO 545 Techniques of Investigative Reporting (3)
Other Requirements (9 credit hours)
MCO 502 Multimedia Storytelling (8)
MCO 544 Accountability in Journalism (1)
Research (6 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (9 credit hours)
MCO 570 Master of Mass Communication Capstone (9)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students must complete a total of eight credit hours of MCO 502, which is offered at variable credit hours and can be taken multiple times.
Students must complete six credit hours of interdisciplinary research methods courses offered under the MCO 591 course listing. Selection of these courses will require departmental approval.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any discipline or related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- professional resume
- letter of intent
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants must receive a score of 100 or better on the TOEFL iBT® taken in a testing center. IELTS scores must be at least 7.5. Duolingo scores must be at least 135.
Applicants should provide a 300- to 500-word statement describing interest in investigative journalism, career goals, and how previous work and academic experience have prepared the student for success.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Final |
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Evaluate the principles of journalism, such as accuracy, fairness, timeliness, diversity and privacy, and apply such principles to their course requirements.
- Evaluate ethical, diversity and legal standards relevant to the journalism industry and create culturally proficient communication.
- Develop the tools, technology and techniques for investigative reporting that adheres to accepted journalistic standards and practices, and which prepares them for high-level investigative reporting careers.
Studying abroad is possible for graduate students. There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find more information on available programs on the Global Education Office website.
Investigative reporting is in high demand in news organizations of all sizes, and graduates of Cronkite's MA program in investigative journalism are particularly prepared to excel in these positions, applying experience with investigative reporting techniques, data analysis and immersive storytelling using text, photo, video and audio content.
Graduates have accepted investigative positions at news organizations across the country and around the world, such as NPR, The Associated Press, Inside Climate News, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, OpenSecrets, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 302
cronkitegrad@asu.edu
602-496-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
