Students enter the graduate program in journalism directly from bachelor's programs as well as from the workforce. In both the fall and spring terms, students take one course each from the three main subject areas of the written form, journalism and social issues, and new information technologies. Projects undertaken during the clinical include writing stories for publication and preparing news reports to meet professional broadcast standards. During the summer term, students undertake either an independent research project or an internship, depending on their level of experience. In all cases, students are brought together with working professionals in a major news outlet.
Faculty members help coordinate student projects and provide on-campus guidance and support.
Students working on an independent project explore an issue of major importance in law, business, health, diversity, politics, or social policy. Students placed in internships gain direct professional experience in a real working environment. Research Facilities Opened in 1993, the Ed McMahon Mass Communications Center is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind. The center provides students with hands-on experience in studios, radio and TV control rooms, and video and audio editing suites. The newest addition to the center is the news technology center.