Master of Arts in Journalism and Strategic Media

We have master's program with four emphases—Integrated Strategic Media, News and Storytelling, Visual Media and Mass Media Research. Students choose an emphasis to guide the courses they take.
We are a great home for individuals who want to improve their skills in journalism, advertising, public relations, strategic communication and visual media. Our courses are also grounded in the theories and practices of today's mass media. Students are then expected to apply that theory while learning practical skills, such as creating multimedia projects, developing cutting-edge audience research, crafting effective crisis messaging and perfecting a story pitch.
Our courses are offered both online and on campus, so students regardless of their time zone can take classes. We also offer 3 graduate certificates: Entrepreneurial Journalism, where students work with faculty and the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship to learn more about the realities and abilities of creating a startup business, with the chance to pitch and promote their ideas to funders and other entrepreneurs in Memphis and the Mid-South; Multimedia Storytelling, where students gain the technical expertise needed to create multimedia projects and the reporting and storytelling skills needed to create compelling content in today's media market; and Social Media Analysis and Strategies, where students gain the knowledge of how to use social media, how to engage the public, and how to analyze the information social media provides in order to improve performance and understanding.
Program objectives are: (1) Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, both in a global context and in the United States. (2) Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications. (3) Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially along racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and ability differences. (4) Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies. (5) Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve. (6) Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. (7) Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. (8) Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts. (9) Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness. (10) Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. (11) Contribute to knowledge appropriate to the journalism and strategic media profession.

Baccalaureate Degree: The applicant must provide an official transcript showing that a bachelor’s degree was awarded by an accredited college or university. If you are a UofM undergraduate student applying to Graduate School at UofM, you do not need to request that an official transcript be sent to Graduate Admissions. This office has access to your transcript. In addition, transcripts from any other college or university attended may be requested. Only transcripts received directly from an issuing institution are considered official. Personal copies are not acceptable as official documents.

GPA: The applicant must have earned an acceptable grade point average, typically a minimum of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0, but departments may make exceptions for students whose overall GPA does not adequately reflect their ability to succeed in their chosen field.

English proficiency test scores accepted by the University:

• Duolingo English Test-110 or higher on the overall score.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 550 or higher on the paper version, 80 or higher on the internet-based test
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- 6.5 or higher
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) - 59 or higher