Weekend Program for Working Professionals
WHY APPLY FOR THE NEWS MEDIA STUDIES MASTERS?
Students in the News Media Studies program find they benefit enormously from the intellectual byplay of their classes. And they take away practical, very useful insights about news media and their roles, influence, and place in a complex democratic society. Students also enhance their research skills, learn about teaching at the university level, and examine conventional wisdom about the news media and their influences. And they find they learn a lot from their fellow students.
Who should apply?
The News Media Studies program is designed for working professionals who are employed by, work with, or want to know more about the news media. It also can be a pathway for professionals who are contemplating university-level teaching.
The program’s alumni include American and international journalists, congressional aides, public relations professionals, military public affairs personnel, and high school teachers. The diversity of backgrounds is one of the program’s many appealing features.
What is involved?
Students in the News Media Studies program earn a master’s degree in 20 months by attending class on Saturdays. Each three-credit class meets for six, day-long sessions on the AU campus. Classes are small, and usually taught seminar-style—meaning there’s a hearty blend of lecture and discussion. The workload is demanding, but manageable.
Some distance learning courses are offered during the summer.
Who are the faculty?
Some of the top fulltime journalism faculty in the School of Communication teach in the News Media Studies program.
They include: Jane Hall (who has taught Contemporary Media Issues), John Watson (Legal Aspects of Communication), Chris Simpson (Research Methods), Amy Eisman (Teaching Communication), Rick Rockwell (Research Studies), and W. Joseph Campbell (Seminar in Public Affairs).
More Information
Contact Prof. Rick Rockwell, Journalism Division Associate Director at (202) 885–2067 or at rockwell@american.edu
