Journalism Education (M.A. and Graduate Certificate)
Kent State’s graduate-level programs in Journalism Education give current and future educators the tools needed to effectively teach journalism and advise scholastic media at the high school/post-secondary level. The School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) offers two fully online tracks to meet this demand:
- Journalism Education Graduate Certificate
- Journalism Education Concentration, Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
These programs are ideal for high school teachers who are currently teaching journalism/yearbook classes or advising scholastic media and wish to earn graduate credit and certification. Media professionals who wish to take graduate coursework to facilitate teaching in the post-secondary space will also find these flexible programs to be a great fit.
Coursework for both programs is fashioned using information and guidelines from the School’s Center for Scholastic Journalism, an advocate for student press freedom and national clearinghouse for information for and about student journalists and their advisers. The Center is supported by an endowment for the John F. and James L. Knight Foundation.
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."