UW-Madison's School of Journalism and Mass Communication will introduce a restructured master's program at an open house and mini-conference Nov. 7.
The program will require students to choose a specialty to study under the guidance of an advisor. Areas of study will include science, health and technology reporting, political and civic journalism and international reporting. Students will be required to develop a portfolio of at least five clips or projects from classes, independent projects and freelance work.
Our new professional-track master's program provides a mix of skills classes, broad discussion about the challenges and practice of journalism and the individualized instruction in key specialty areas that journalists need to excel in the 21st century,"" journalism school Director James Baughman said in a statement.
Over the last two years, journalism professors Sue Robinson and Deborah Blum led the planning of the new program.
A mini-conference, hosted by the journalism school, will introduce the program and will discuss journalism and democracy with a keynote speech from John Nichols, the associate editor of the Capital Times. The event will be held in the Nafziger Conference Room in Vilas Hall from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
According to university officials, the school graduates approximately 15 students a year, beginning with its first year as a master's program in 1916. Students graduate with both professional and research thesis tracks.
Graduates have clinched careers in various news organizations including the New York Times, CNN, Discover.com and the Associated Press.
