Graduate Degree Requirements
General Assignment Journalism – Master of Science in Journalism
Students who prefer to focus their MS degree broadly by choosing general assignment journalism will be expected to complete 12 courses (48 credits) designed to achieve three major goals:
- Mastery of the basics of journalism and an understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws and practices of the profession;
- Working knowledge of several of the mainstream specialties in journalism;
- The ability to work in more than one format.
Students in this concentration expect to be generalists and can take courses in a cross-section of course offerings and should expand their knowledge and ability as well by learning to work in at least one other format, such as magazines, electronic media, radio or television. Familiarity with other journalistic formats increases versatility and is designed to take into account the many formats used to convey news and informed opinion.
The subject area and format electives may be chosen from the lists below, or from the University catalog with permission of your advisor.
Any request to vary from the requirements must be petitioned for approval by your advisor and the department chair.
General assignment concentrators who want to participate in the Washington or Statehouse programs should consult with their advisors about waiving an elective.
Core Requirements
| COMJO525 – Media Law and Ethics |
| COMJO721 – Journalism Principles and Techniques |
| COMJO722 – Advanced Journalism Seminar |
Choose One from the Following
| COMJO503 – Jo Research |
| COMJO807 – Advanced Journalism Research |
Subject Area Requirements
Choose Three (3) from the Following
| COMJO501 – Introduction to Business and Economic Reporting |
| COMJO502 – Journalism Special Topics |
| COMJO511 – Covering Government and Politics |
| COMJO514 – Sports Journalism |
| COMJO516 – Foreign Reporting |
| COMJO545 – Reporting Military Affairs |
| COMJO546 – Statehouse Program |
| COMJO724 – Science in the Crosshairs |
| COMJO954 – Washington Newsroom |
Electives: Formats
Choose Three from the Following
| COMJO506 – Columns and Editorials |
| COMJO513 – Advanced Photojournalism |
| COMJO519 – Narrative Radio |
| COMJO534 – Broadcast News for Nonmajors |
| COMJO538 – Feature Writing |
Other Electives
Choose Two from the Following
| COMJO502 – Journalism Special Topics |
| COMJO504 – Arts Criticism |
| COMJO506 – Columns and Editorials |
| COMJO509 – Creative Nonfiction |
| COMJO535 – INVESTIGATIVE AND PROJECT REPORTING |
| COMJO703 – Magazine Writing |
Some courses have prerequisites which are not listed above. All Journalism requirements, prerequisites and course descriptions are listed on the Boston University Academics website.
