May 17, 2025  
Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog

Journalism, MS

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School of Communication and Journalism
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Journalism
 
Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism: Laura Lindenfeld, PhD
Graduate Program Director: Brenda Hoffman, PhD
Graduate Program Coordinator: Stefanie Ambrosio-Mullady, MA
 

 

The Master of Science in Journalism prepares students to tell the stories society needs to understand and combat the significant challenges facing people and the planet. This program takes a modern approach to journalism, offering students firm grounding in solutions journalism,where they become media professionals who understand and are committed to working within and among the communities they cover. They will take classes that that help them develop targeted, meaningful stories for a variety of digital platforms such as online news outlets, social media, and mobile applications. They will gain an understanding of media law and fully engage with journalistic ethics defined by the Society of Professional Journalists. They will learn to how to use data to find and tell stories in ways that are accurate and engaging. Underpinning all of these skills, students will learn to question their own biases and recognize how their experiences shape how they see and interact with individuals and societies.

Designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population, this program welcomes students who are new to journalism, recent graduates, and working media professionals seeking to advance their skills and their careers. Students will learn from a diverse faculty, including leading journalists, Pulitzer-Prize winners, foreign correspondents, and experts in audience engagement and innovation. They will have access to a two-story newsroom, state-of-the-art broadcast studio and control room, and an innovative podcasting studio, to practice and hone their skills. They will complete professional capstone projects and network with industry professionals working in and around Long Island and New York City.

The Master of Science in Journalism is designed to meet programmatic outcomes that are outlined in the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)’s professional values and competencies. For more information about ACEJMC competencies,please visit their website at http://www.acejmc.org/policies-process/nine-standards/

Admission Requirements

Application Website

Note: Applications accepted for fall admission only.

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. CV or Resume
  2. Personal statement (500 words): Applicants should describe why solutions journalism is important to them, their reason(s) for applying to the program, and how they feel as though a degree in journalism will advance their future career goals.
  3. Three letters of recommendation: We are interested in hearing from three different recommenders who can comment on the applicant’s academic strengths, journalistic or professional skills, and/or their potential for success in this graduate program.
  4. Official transcripts: Applicants must demonstrate a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a completed Bachelor’s degree.
  5. Two writing samples: Students may elect to submit two academic/professional writing samples OR one academic/professional writing sample and one creative work.Academic writing samples may include but are not limited to course papers, academic publications, or published news pieces. Creativeworks may include but are not limited to video recorded live broadcasts, professional social media campaigns, or recorded podcast content.
  6. Language proficiency scores (international applicants). Please refer to the most up to date requirements found in the Graduate Bulletin.
  7. GRE scores are optional.

For admissions questions or to meet with an advisor, please email: socj_grad@stonybrook.edu

Degree Requirements

The 33-credit Master of Science in Journalism consists of six required courses (18 credits) and five elective courses (15 credits). Students will work closely with the graduate program director and faculty advisors each semester to develop an individualized plan of study that best fits their interests and career goals. Students may elect to enroll part-time or full-time. Full-time graduate work is defined as a minimum of 9 credits per semester.

Note: Courses marked with an asterisk are offered online with synchronous meeting patterns.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

Elective Courses (15 Credits)

Notes:

Journalism students may complete select COM courses for elective credit, with departmental approval.

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