Graduate Degree Requirements
International Reporting – Master of Science in Journalism
Students pursuing a Journalism MS degree-International Reporting concentration are generally preparing for assignments as foreign correspondents. Students must take 12 courses for a total of 48 credits.
Preparation includes:
- Mastery of the basics of journalism and an understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws and practices of the profession;
- Depth in this chosen area of expertise—possibly language skills and two or more courses focused on a region, country or topic area such as the developing world, Islam, or international terrorism;
- The ability to work in more than one format.
Students in this concentration must capture the basics of journalism, take our specialty courses and borrow from course offerings of our International Relations Department. They may become expert in a specific geographical area or a global topic like international development or terrorism and hone their skills in a particular language. Employment prospects expand when candidates can also work in at least one other format, be it broadcast, magazines or computer-driven. Students should also take a course unrelated to their foreign affairs studies but of considerable value or great personal interest.
Except for London-bound students, requests to vary from the requirements to take four (4) core journalism requirements, at least five (5) concentration courses and at least one (1) elective focused on formats must be petitioned for approval by the department chair.
Core Requirements (4)
| 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 (4 or 5)
Required Courses
| COMJO516 – Foreign Reporting |
Chose Three (3) or Four (4) from the Following Courses
| COMCM831 – International Communication |
| COMJO501 – Introduction to Business and Economic Reporting |
| COMJO545 – Reporting Military Affairs |
| Three CAS-IR (Regional or Topical Courses)* |
Electives: Journalism Formats
Choose One (1) or Two (2) from the Following
| COMJO506 – Columns and Editorials |
| COMJO513 – Advanced Photojournalism |
| COMJO534 – Broadcast News for Nonmajors |
| COMJO703 – Magazine Writing |
Suggested Other Electives
Choose One (1) or Two (2) from the Following**
| COMJO500 – Media Criticism |
| COMJO502 – Journalism Special Topics |
| COMJO509 – Creative Nonfiction |
| COMJO514 – Sports Journalism |
| COMJO535 – INVESTIGATIVE AND PROJECT REPORTING |
| COMJO724 – Science in the Crosshairs |
London Summer Courses (Done in 1st and 2nd “sessions”)
| COMCM744 – International Mass Media |
| COMCM745 – Comparative Political Systems |
| COMJO737 – Broadcast Journalism Internship |
*A CAS Economics class can substitute for an IR course.
**London students must take all JO core courses and three (3) concentration courses, plus at least one (1) format course.
Some courses have prerequisites which are not listed above. All Journalism requirements, prerequisites and course descriptions are listed on the Boston University Academics website.
