Photo of students in news studio

Department of Journalism » Broadcast

Broadcast Journalism Overview: Graduate

The graduate curriculum in broadcast journalism is designed to give the highly qualified student an opportunity to develop professional understanding and experience in all forms of news and public affairs programming for the electronic media. Initiative in original reporting for news programs and diligent researching for public affairs programs are emphasized as essential to broadcast journalism. Students write copy for news broadcasts and public affairs programs and learn how to seek out the information needed for such productions. This curriculum is appropriate for the student who wishes to pursue a career in television, radio news, or public affairs as a reporter, writer, editor, or producer.

The Master of Science Program in Broadcast Journalism is designed to produce highly trained professionals for careers in the fast-changing world of electronic news. The three-semester curriculum offers cutting edge training in new areas of telecommunications while continuing to stress the importance of ethics, content, accuracy and solid reporting and writing skills for television and radio and their related Internet Web sites. Graduates go on to become reporters, producers, editors, writers and news executives at the top television, cable and radio networks and stations.

Students must produce a thesis or creative project to graduate. If approved by the director, special degree completion arrangements may be made for students who are working in the field by their third semester. In the electronic classroom, students work in small groups and benefit from close faculty interaction.

Students learn on the latest digital equipment, including the new AP NewsCenter computerized newsroom system used by networks and more than 200 television stations. Students also use a modern television studio and control room and a new digital audio newsroom for radio.

Because Boston is the nation's fifth largest media market, students have many opportunities to intern at local, network and cable stations, as well as the regional New England Cable News channel. WTBU is a student-operated radio station at Boston University broadcast over the Internet. Also providing real-world experience is WBUR, Boston's National Public Radio station owned by Boston University.

Faculty members are or have been top broadcast journalists with excellent ties to the industry. Program Director Jim Thistle has held Vice President or News Director positions at the major network stations in Boston. Other professors have worked for CBS, ABC, CNN and NPR. These professors are valuable resources for placing students in jobs.

For additional information, contact Broadcast Journalism Program Director Jim Thistle by e-mail at bjthis@bu.edu or by phone at 617/353-2960.

View the Curriculum Guide.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Sciece degree in Broadcast Journalism must complete a minimum of 48 credits of required and approved elective classroom work and a thesis or professional project. Normally, this requires three semesters of enrollment. If approved by the director, special degree completion arrangements may be made for those students who are working in the field by the third semester.

Broadcast Journalism Curriculum

First Semester
  • COM JO 525 Media Law and Ethics
  • COM JO 707 Writing and Reporting Broadcast News
  • COM JO 711 Electronic News Production
  • COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
Second Semester
  • COM JO 733 Enterprise Reporting
  • COM JO 734 Broadcast Journalism
  • COM JO 736 Television Newsroom COM elective
Third Semester
  • COM JO 735 Broadcast Journalism II
  • COM JO 737 Broadcast Journalism Internship
  • COM elective
  • COM or University elective

Washington Journalism Center

This unique program offers seniors, and graduate and post-graduate students the chance to develop their writing and reporting skills, focusing on covering national affairs and politics in Washington, D.C.

Students serve as the Washington correspondents for New England news outlets such as The Manchester Union Leader, The Bangor Daily News, and The Quincy Patriot Ledger through the BU Washington News Service. Students have the opportunity to create a portfolio of front-page national stories. The BU newsroom, also equipped with state-of-the-art television and radio equipment, is located in the Boston University Washington Center on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington.