University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications - Online Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications Program

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers an online Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications through its College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The program offers two tracks: Integrated Media Communications and Professional Journalism, and can be completed online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. UNL uses Canvas, a learning management system designed to facilitated online instruction. Through the platform, students can access their course materials, communicate with their classmates, submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, and contact their instructors. The program can generally be completed in approximately 24 months of study.

Depending on the electives students choose within the MA in Journalism and Mass Communications, they may also be able to earn graduate certificates in Public Relations and Social Media, and Sports Promotion, without taking additional courses. Similarly, students who complete either the graduate certificate in Public Relations and Social Media or the graduate certificate in Sports Promotion are eligible to transfer the course credits from these certificates to the full MA degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, provided they apply to the MA program and gain admission.

Integrated Media Communications Specialization

The Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications, Integrated Media Communications specialization is designed for professionals in advertising, marketing and public relations who want to sharpen their comprehensive marketing and multimedia development skills. This specialization requires 30 credit hours divided between 18 credits of core courses (six classes) and 12 credit hours of electives and specialization coursework (four classes). Instead of a thesis or professional project, this specialization requires students to complete a capstone course during their final semester.

Required coursework for the Integrated Media Communications specialization introduces students to the fundamental concepts and practices within the field, including advertising, public relations, branding, and media analytics and research. Specific core courses include: Advertising and Public Relations Research, Strategic Communications – Issues and Strategies, Digital Insight and Analytics, Emerging Technologies in Media, Brands and Branding, and Ethics and Issues in Mass Communications.

After completing their core coursework, students select from a variety of electives and specialization coursework, creating a program of study that aligns with their professional development goals. Sample elective and specialization courses include: Global Advertising, Crisis Management in Corporations and Nonprofits, The Social Media Landscape, Content Strategy for Sports Promotion, Public Relations Management and Case Studies, and Social Media Theory and Practice. Students may also take courses outside of the program and within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, as long as their chosen courses are relevant to their career goals in integrated media and they receive formal approval from their faculty advisor.

Students’ culminating experience is a capstone project wherein they apply all of the skills, concepts, and principles that they have learned to a deliverable that solves an integrated media communication issue in a real-life context. Students also complete a final paper and present their project to faculty advisors and peers.

Professional Journalism Specialization

The Professional Journalism track is designed for media and journalism professionals who want to gain the advanced training needed to work in a rapidly changing media environment. This track teaches students how to research, analyze and produce news across multiple media platforms. The specialization requires 30 credits divided between 9 credit hours of core courses (three courses), 15 credits of electives and specialization coursework (five courses), and 6-credit professional project for their final graduation requirement.

The three required courses cover major areas within journalism, including Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication, Multi-Platform Journalism, and Entrepreneurial Journalism. These courses enable students to establish a foundation in contemporary journalism principles and tactics, as well as an understanding of the ongoing challenges within the space. For electives, students can choose from a variety of courses in areas such as Interactive Media Design; Race, Gender, and Media; Graduate Writing, Reporting, and Editing; Sports Promotion and Engagement; Politics and the Media; and Mass Media Law. coordinate with their faculty advisor to select courses that best meet their academic Students may select graduate-level electives outside of the MA in Journalism and Mass Communications program and within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, pending their faculty advisor’s review and approval of their course selections.

Students’ final graduation requirement is a six-credit Professional Project that is completed during the final two semesters of the program. For the Professional Project course, students work to translate a social, political, economic, environmental, or similarly significant news topic into a print and/or electronic media deliverable for mass audiences. Students receive guidance from faculty advisors during their work, and must present their final project to peers and faculty at the end of the program.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.