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Kent State Graduate

Media and Journalism - M.A.

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.

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IMPORTANT: We are no longer accepting applicants into our M.A. in Media and Journalism. This page remains active as a resource for current master's students who are completing the coursework already begun. 

NOTE: We now offer a standalone master's degree in Journalism Education. To learn more about this innovative, online degree, visit linked the program page.

Master’s Degree in Media and Journalism

Kent State University’s Master’s Degree in Media and Journalism provides students with an advanced understanding of media production, journalism practices, and the evolving digital landscape. The program focuses on enhancing skills in multimedia storytelling, investigative reporting, media ethics, and audience engagement across traditional and digital platforms. Students gain hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge to adapt to the rapidly changing media environment, preparing them for leadership roles in the industry.

Program Information for Media and Journalism - M.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Media and Journalism is designed to give students a solid background in preparation for a professional career. Students are able to take a mix of online and face-to-face courses that allow them to craft a graduate degree that reflects their career interest. Courses are dynamic, challenging and professionally relevant. With small class sizes, students are able to learn from their professors and from the experiences of their fellow classmates, many of whom are working media professionals or nationally recognized journalism educators.

The School of Media and Journalism provides its students with a strong foundation to achieve their goals in the rapidly changing media industry. All students take a series of core courses that provide the foundation for a career in media and journalism and develop a specialization through the selection of elective courses that can be within or outside of the school. One student may choose to hone skills as a multimedia journalist focusing on public affairs, while another may seek to develop expertise as a public relations professional for not-for-profit organizations.

Admissions for Media and Journalism - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the M.A. degree in Media and Journalism are not being accepted at this time.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or vitae
  • Goal statement
  • Writing sample1
  • Two letters of recommendation2
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:3
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

A minimum of one writing sample will be required. The writing sample may be a news article, script from a news story, paper submitted for a college course, personal essay about a topics of interest or some other original non-fictional written work.

2

At least one letter must be from a college professor who is familiar with the applicant's work. If the applicant has significant work experience (five or more years), the letter from a college professor may be replaced with a letter from an employer who is familiar with the applicant's work.

3

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Admission Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: March 15
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: November 15
  • Summer Term
    • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively across multiple platforms.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of relevant ethical and legal frameworks in their disciplines.
  3. Ground their professional work in relevant theories.
  4. Represent high levels of professionalism.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MDJ 60011THEORY AND SOCIETAL ROLE OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM 3
MDJ 60012MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS 3
MDJ 61001PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF DIGITAL MEDIA 3
MDJ 66011REPORTING, WRITING AND EDITING FOR MEDIA 3
Major-Approved Electives, choose from the following:15
Communication Studies (COMM) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Health Informatics (HI) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Knowledge Management (KM) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Library and Information Science (LIS) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Media and Journalism (MDJ) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
User Experience Design (UXD) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Visual Communication Design (VCD) Graduate (50000 level or higher) Courses
Advisor-Approved Courses
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:3-6
MDJ 60199
THESIS I
MDJ 60399
MASTER'S PROFESSIONAL PROJECT
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Minimum 50 percent of coursework must have the Media and Journalism (MDJ) course subject.
  • Maximum 4 credit hours of workshop courses (xxx93) may count toward the degree.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Applications to the M.A. degree in Media and Journalism are not being accepted at this time.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Media and Journalism - M.A.

Graduates of Kent State University’s Master’s Degree in Media and Journalism can pursue careers as journalists, media producers, editors, public relations specialists, or content strategists. They are also well-suited for roles in digital marketing, broadcast media, and communications management. With their advanced skills, graduates can take on leadership positions in news organizations, media companies, and nonprofit organizations, or explore opportunities as freelance writers and consultants in the media field.

Communications teachers, postsecondary

3.2%

about as fast as the average

35,600

number of jobs

$71,030

potential earnings

Editors

-7.3%

decline

118,700

number of jobs

$63,400

potential earnings

News analysts, reporters, and journalists

-11.2%

decline

52,000

number of jobs

$49,300

potential earnings

Proofreaders and copy markers

-2.7%

decline

10,300

number of jobs

$41,140

potential earnings

Public relations specialists

7.2%

faster than the average

274,600

number of jobs

$62,810

potential earnings

Writers and authors

-2.3%

decline

131,200

number of jobs

$67,120

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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