Online Master's Degree for Journalism Educators
From the latest technology for multimedia storytelling to gaining strategies to protect students' First Amendment rights, the range of course content covers what teachers and media advisers need to know to be effective 21st century journalism educators.
In 2007, we became the first journalism school in the country to offer a Master of Arts degree for journalism educators that is entirely online. The program emphasizes skills and theory teachers can study today and use in their classrooms tomorrow.
WHY PURSUE THIS DEGREE?
The typical student for this degree includes licensed/certified secondary school teachers, typically with English/Language Arts credentials, with responsibility for advising student media and a desire to gain more journalism skills; long-time advisers who want to upgrade their skills; and newsroom professionals seeking graduate credentials to bolster prospects for teaching in the post-secondary space. In recent years, we have noted increased numbers of newsroom professionals seeking out our program, and we welcome the synergies that develop from having both experienced teachers and professional journalists in our classes.
WHY CHOOSE KENT STATE?
Our School of Media and Journalism is accredited and has a national reputation for excellence.
Rigorous coursework ensures no one can question the validity of your degree. In fact, you may find yourself working harder because of all the resources at your fingertips.
We offer the only completely online master’s degree for educators through a School of Media and Journalism.
Kent State is home to the Center for Scholastic Journalism. Center staff includes a Knight Chair for Scholastic Journalism, Director Candace Perkins Bowen and Assistant Director John Bowen.
Students get to know their instructors and classmates through real-time chats, threaded discussions and interactive technology.
Coursework focuses on concepts and lessons that can be used in participants’ classrooms right away.
Students enrolled in this program pay the in-state tuition rate.
For details of admissions requirements, see the Graduate Admissions website.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CREDIT HOURS
For a complete list of the current course requirements, see the university catalog: http://catalog.kent.edu/colleges/ci/mdj/media-journalism-ma/
Required Course Work (33 Credit Hours)
WORDS FROM STUDENTS

Val Kibler, M.A. '14, teacher/adviser, Harrisonburg (Virginia) High School, JEA Vice President
"Being a graduate student in the KSU Master's program for journalism teachers was the best professional development I've ever done. Almost every single lesson in each class could be adapted to my classroom the following day. I loved the practicality of each course I took!”

Erinn Harris, M.A. '20, teacher/adviser, Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Humanities, Fairfax County, Virginia
"I have so many favorite things about the Kent State Journalism education master's program, but if I was to pick two (because it is impossible to narrow it down), I would start with the fact that, no matter where you are in your career, it just makes you better.
If you’re just starting out, the program will give you all the tools you need to be successful as well as a network of support that will be behind you for your whole career. If you’ve got some experience under your belt, this program will open your eyes to details - big and small - that you never considered while in the day-to-day grind of advising. No matter your experience level, what you'll learn will help you engage and energize your students become skilled and responsible journalists.
One thing I did not expect from the program was how I would come to see my professors not only as mentors, but also friends. It's a community of students and teachers that have come together - and stay together long after graduation - because they share in the knowledge that journalism and journalism education is important. Now more than ever."

Colleen King, M.A. '21, former executive producer, MSNBC
"I came to Kent State after 17 years in television news, and through the Journalism Educators program, I've been able to develop my newsroom skills into classroom lessons. The professors are incredibly supportive and experts in their fields. The camaraderie with fellow students is phenomenal. And by learning online, we can share our experiences and build our networks across the country.
I would recommend this program to anyone interested in this field, and especially to fellow journalists who would someday like to teach their craft to the next generation."