Kent State University offers an online Master of Arts in Journalism Education that is designed to prepare teachers to engage in journalism instruction and mentorship at the high school level. This program also supports media professionals who want to build careers in higher education as journalism instructors and advisors. The program is offered through the College of Communication and Information’s School of Media and Journalism, and is affiliated with the Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State, which promotes quality journalism education in secondary schools across the nation.
The MA in Journalism Education can be completed entirely online without making any campus visits. Kent State University uses the Blackboard Learn learning management system for its online degree programs. Through Blackboard Learn, students can access their course materials, submit assignments, communicate with instructors and classmates, participate in online discussion boards, access university services, and more.
The Master of Arts in Media and Journalism requires 30 credit hours of study and can be finished in approximately two years of full-time enrollment. The curriculum is broken down into 18 credits of core courses (six courses), followed by 12 credits of electives (four courses). The core coursework introduces students to the central theories and societal impact of mass media and journalism, media ethics and law, advising media students, teaching media literacy, the principles and practices of effective digital media development, and the best practices for journalistic reporting, writing, and editing. Each of the six core courses requires the completion of a deliverable that is relevant to journalism education, such as a media-related class activity, lesson plan, guidebook, or instructional video.
For their electives, students can select courses that cover topics ranging from modern information ecology to the foundations of recordkeeping in society, information literacy for youth, applying digital technologies to media data analysis, and information systems management in the Internet age. Students also have the freedom to choose electives from other graduate programs within the College of Communication and Information (with guidance and approval from their faculty advisor) to customize their course of study to their individual career goals.
For their culminating experience in the program, students must complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates their professional qualifications and growth as graduates of the MA in Journalism Education. Students refine the deliverables from their core courses to include in their portfolio, and add other projects from their coursework that they find relevant to their professional path. In addition, students must write reflections on the deliverables that they include, discussing how each project illustrates the skills and knowledge that they will translate to their careers. Students must present their completed portfolio to their faculty advisor as part of their final graduation requirement.
Kent State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Online Master of Arts in Journalism Education
Overview
Department: School of Media and Journalism
Websites: Department
and Program
Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Classes use a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in as few as 2 years
Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 30 credits (10 courses plus capstone)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Digital portfolio
Example Courses: Theory and Societal Role of Media and Journalism; Media Law and Ethics; Principles and Practices of Digital Media; Reporting, Writing and Editing for Media; Advising Student Media; Teaching Media Literacy; Media Content Creation; Advising Yearbook
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree; resume or CV; goal statement; two letters of recommendation
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA 2.75
Testing Requirements: GRE not required
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~$18,872.70 + fees (In-State); ~$19,202.70 + fees (Out-of-State)
Cost per Credit Hour: $571.90 per credit hour (Ohio residents); $581.90 per credit hour (Out of State residents)
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
