Graduate FAQs

Application requirements

When should I apply?
The Cronkite School accepts applications on a rolling basis from September 1 through June 1. The priority deadline for scholarships and assistantships is December 1.

What do I have to submit for my application?
You’re required to submit:

Graduate admissions application and application fee
A resume
A personal statement
Transcripts for all institutions of higher education you have attended
Three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference
Proof of English proficiency

An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. TOEFL scores must be at least 600 for the paper-based examination and 100 for the internet-based.

What is the Cronkite School looking for in my application?
The admissions committee looks at the entire application package when they consider a candidate. The committee, in part, is looking for applicants who are passionate about journalism or strategic communication and have the academic ability to succeed in the program. Your application should demonstrate your ability to handle a rigorous, accelerated program at the graduate level.

Do I need to have previous journalism or communications experience to apply?
No. We welcome students with all backgrounds and experiences, and that includes students without previous journalism or communications experience.

I have questions about the application itself, how can I get help?
Admission Services at ASU operates the application and they have created videos for each section of the application here: https://admission.asu.edu/graduate/apply.

Costs and financial support

How much does the program cost?
Program costs vary depending on where you are coming from and how many credits you take each semester. Use the ASU Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs. Be sure to look at the cost for 12 credits per semester rather than the default 9 credits for the estimator.

How do I apply for graduate assistantships or other funding sources?
All admitted students are considered for the funding the Cronkite School has available. There are no additional steps necessary. Completing your graduate application by the December 1 priority deadline gives you the best opportunity for funding.

Downtown Phoenix living

Is there on-campus graduate housing?
Yes, there is graduate housing at the downtown Phoenix campus, through the Fusion on First residential hall. The hall is newly built and also houses a restaurant and programs from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. You can find more information here: https://housing.asu.edu/housing-communities/residential-colleges/fusion-on-first.

For students who choose off-campus housing, where do they typically live?
Most students live in apartments between North Central Avenue and North Seventh Street, from East Polk Street to East Portland Street.

Can I live in Tempe or somewhere outside of the downtown Phoenix area?
Yes. However, please keep in mind that classes in the first semester start early, and you will want to allow plenty of time to make it to your class.

Is there parking on the Downtown Phoenix Campus?
There are various lots in the downtown Phoenix area. ASU owns or operates a few parking lots that can be paid daily or you may purchase a parking permit for the school year. You can get more information here: https://cfo.asu.edu/permits.

Are there transportation options between ASU’s Tempe campus and ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus?
Yes. ASU provides students with a free shuttle bus service. Each shuttle bus has wifi and air conditioning. The shuttle schedule and other information can be found here: https://cfo.asu.edu/shuttles?check_logged_in=1.

Do I need a car for the program?
You are not required to have a car for the program, however having your own transportation will give you flexibility in producing stories based outside of the downtown Phoenix area.

My question isn’t listed here. Who can I reach out to for help?

You can contact our graduate recruitment team at cronkitegrad@asu.edu.

Program Information

Master of Arts in Investigative Journalism

What will I learn in the MA-Investigative Journalism master’s program?
The MAIJ program prepares students to launch high-level investigative reporting careers, exposing injustice and ensuring accountability and transparency. This program welcomes journalists and career switchers, who bring expertise in law, music, healthcare, education, international relations and other disciplines. Students work with leading journalists, scholars and data scientists to produce national investigations and earn jobs at leading newsrooms around the world.

How long does it take to complete the program?
This master’s program is created to be completed within three semesters (36 credits). This program only starts in the fall semester. Students can choose whether they want to complete the program in 12 months (attending classes in the fall, spring and summer semesters) or take a break from classes over the summer and complete the program in 16 months (fall, spring and fall semesters).

Can I do the program part time?
No. This on-campus master’s program is a full-time program. Students typically take 12 to 15 course credits per semester.

Where will my classes be held?
Courses for the first two semesters are held in the Cronkite School’s state-of-the-art facility on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Students of this program will complete their third semester in the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism in the Cronkite School’s Phoenix building.

Is there specific equipment I need to buy for the program?
No. The Cronkite School provides all of the equipment you will need to produce photo, audio and video content. We also provide free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud for media editing. Students have access to the computers in the Cronkite building if they do not have their own.

Which program is best for me?
That depends! The Master of Mass Communication program has the most flexibility for students to select a combination of advanced skills courses in journalism and strategic communications. However, students who are committed to investigative reporting will be best served by the MA-Investigative Journalism program, and students wanting to work in sports journalism or for sports teams and organizations are best served by the MA-Sports Journalism program.

What kinds of classes will I take in the first semester?

Required courses

MCO 502 – Journalism Skills (8 credits)
MCO 530 – History, Philosophy and Ethics of Journalism (3 credits)
MCO 544 – Accountability in Journalism (1 credit)

Electives

MCO 535 – Latino and Transnational Issues (3 credits)
MCO 550 – Issues in Coverage of Business and the Economy (3 credits)
MCO 561 – Defining the Digital Audience (3 credits)

What kinds of classes will I take in the second semester?
In this semester, the MAIJ program really digs into the specialized skills required for sophisticated investigative journalism. MCO 510 and MCO 545 are taught by veteran investigative journalists at the top of the field. You’ll learn how to develop an investigative story from beginning to end, including public records research, backgrounding, data analysis, R programming and in-depth interviewing. Then, to deepen your research skills even more, you’ll take six credits of MCO 591, which we call broadly “interdisciplinary research skills.” These are courses taught by faculty from across ASU, teaching research techniques from their respective disciplines. Previous courses have been taught by faculty from the W.P. Carey School of Business, the Mayo Clinic’s Alix School of Medicine, ASU’s Center on the Future of War and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Required

MCO 510 – Data Journalism – MAIJ section (3 credits)
MCO 545 – Techniques in Investigative Reporting (3 credits)
MCO 591 – Interdisciplinary Research Skills (6 credits)

Elective

In addition to these 12 credits of required coursework, you’re welcome to select an advanced skills elective. These typically include courses focused on specific mediums (Advanced Podcasting or Advanced Photojournalism, for example), specific topics (Sustainability Documentary or Bilingual Journalism), or specific roles (Advanced News Producing or the News21 Investigative Reporting Seminar).

What classes will I take in the third semester?
The third semester is focused on developing your professional portfolio to set you apart in the job market. You will apply all of the skills and experiences you’ve gained so far on a national investigative project side-by-side with classmates and faculty in the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism.

This experience is 9 credits and can be completed in either the summer or the fall. In the summer, 9 credits requires five full days per week working in the professional program. In the fall semester (longer than the summer semester), 9 credits requires four full days per week.

Students also complete MCO 503 – Media Law. In the summer and fall, Media Law is available as a Session A online course. In the fall Media Law is also offered on campus.

Required

MCO 570 – Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
MCO 503 – Media Law

Master of Arts in Sports Journalism

What will I learn in the MA-Sports Journalism master’s program?
The Cronkite School’s 12-month MA in Sports Journalism prepares students to be leaders in sports media and strategic sports communications. Immersive, hands-on learning opportunities abound at the Cronkite School in Phoenix, home to five pro athletic teams (and MLB’s Spring Training). Our students cover them all and more, producing dynamic multimedia content on teams and events in the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, NASCAR, PGA, LPGA and Division I athletics. Coursework includes sports reporting, strategic communications, live sports production and more.

Can I do the program part time?
No. This on-campus master’s program is a full-time program. Students typically take 12 to 15 course credits per semester.

Where will my classes be held?
Courses for the first two semesters are held in the Cronkite School’s state-of-the-art facility on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Students in this program can complete their third semester in the Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau or the Cronkite News Los Angeles Sports Bureau.

What classes will I take in the first semester?
The first semester is about developing a strong foundation across a broad range of storytelling platforms. This includes learning how to tell stories using text, photo, video and audio, for both broadcast and digital audiences. For some, reporting and story production are entirely new skills. Other students come into the program with experience in one or two mediums, wanting to broaden their skill sets to include others. No matter what kind of academic or professional experience you have, you bring something unique and valuable to the cohort. You will learn to lean on your classmates for help with tasks or concepts that are new and share your knowledge of areas that are familiar.

Required

MCO 502 – Journalism Skills (8 credits)
MCO 530 – Ethics and Diversity in Sports Journalism (3 credits)
MCO 504 – Cronkite Master’s Seminar (1 credit)

Electives

MCO 535 – Latino and Transnational Issues (3 credits)
MCO 550 – Issues in Coverage of Business and the Economy (3 credits)
MCO 561 – Defining the Digital Audience (3 credits)

What classes will I take in the second semester?
In this semester, MASJ students deepen their sports reporting and storytelling skills, as well as knowledge of the industry. Data Journalism and Advanced Sports Reporting focus on developing and telling enterprise sports stories. Advanced Issues in Sports and Media prepares students to play leadership roles in discussions and decisions about the future of sports and sports communications. Finally, students select one to two advanced skills courses.

Advanced skills courses typically focus on storytelling techniques (podcasting, photography, narrative writing, documentary film, bilingual reporting, opinion writing, etc.), subject matter (sustainability, borderlands, healthcare, business, etc.) or media roles (producer, editor, strategist, on-air broadcaster, writer, etc.). Sports-specific advanced skills courses have included Advanced Broadcast Reporting (sports-only section), Game Day Production, Sports Marketing and Campaigns, Calling the Game, and Opinion in the Digital Age. Sports students are also welcome to take any other advanced skills course and apply the techniques of the course in a sports context.

Required

MCO 510 – Data Journalism – sports section (3 credits)
MCO 526 – Advanced Issues in Sports and Media (3 credits)
MCO 540 – Advanced Sports Reporting (3 credits)
Advanced Skills Class (student choice) (3 credits)

Optional

Additional Advanced Skills Course (3 credits)

What classes will I take in the third semester?
The third semester is focused on developing your professional portfolio to set you apart in the job market. Students apply all of the skills and experience they’ve gained so far into one (or in some cases a combination of two) of the Cronkite School’s signature “professional programs.” These are newsrooms, labs and agencies that produce professional content under the direction of Cronkite faculty. A full list of the professional programs is here. MASJ students may complete the third semester in Phoenix or the Cronkite News Los Angeles Sports Bureau.

These experiences are 9 credits and can be completed in either the summer or the fall. In the summer, 9 credits requires five full days per week working in the professional program. In the fall semester (longer than the summer semester), 9 credits requires four full days per week.

Students also complete MCO 503 – Media Law. In the summer and fall, Media Law is available as a Session A online course. In the fall Media Law is also offered on campus.

Required

MCO 570 – Master’s Capstone Experience
MCO 503 – Media Law

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

What will I learn in this master’s program?
Students in the Strategic Communication program will gain the media skills, techniques, critical thinking and leadership capacity to advance careers across strategic communication in agencies, sports, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students will begin their experience developing anchors in communication history, theory, and ethics. An emphasis on content creation prepares students to produce both traditional public-relations campaigns, persuasive writing, and media-relations plans, as well as innovative strategic content from client-video storytelling to digital content hubs. This program prepares students for professional roles in public relations, social media, brand storytelling, digital marketing, creative campaigns and media relations.

How long does it take to complete the program?
This master’s program is created to be completed within three semesters (30 credits). This program only starts in the fall semester. Students can choose whether they want to complete the program in 12 months (attending classes in the fall, spring and summer semesters) or take a break from classes over the summer and complete the program in 16 months (fall, spring and fall semesters).

Can I do the program part time?
No. This on-campus master’s program is a full-time program. Students typically take 12 course credits per semester.

Where will my classes be held?
All the courses for the program are held in the Cronkite School’s state-of-the-art facility on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. In the third semester, students of this program will primarily be working in the Cronkite Agency within the Cronkite School’s Phoenix building.

Which program is best for me?
That depends! The Master of Mass Communication program has the most flexibility for students to select a combination of advanced skills courses in journalism. However, students who are committed to investigative reporting will be best served by the MA-Investigative Journalism program, and students wanting to work in sports journalism or for sports teams and organizations are best served by the MA-Sports Journalism program. The MA-Strategic Communication program will be best suited for students who wish to gain skills or enhance their abilities to advance their careers across strategic communication.

What kinds of classes will I take in the first semester?

Required courses

MCO 502 Journalism Skills (8)
MCO 504 Cronkite Master’s Seminar (1)
MCO 519 Strategic Communication Leadership and Ethics (3)

What kinds of classes will I take in the second semester?
In this semester, the MASC program really digs into the specialized skills required for sophisticated strategic communication.

Required

MCO 525 21st Century Media Organization and Entrepreneurship (3)
MCO 537 Strategic Communications Writing (3) OR
MCO 561 Defining the Digital Audience (3)

Elective

In addition to these 6 credits of required coursework, you’ll work in consultation with the program advisor to select 6 credits of department-approved advanced skills electives.

What classes will I take in the third semester?
The third semester is focused on developing your professional portfolio to set you apart in the job market. You will apply all of the skills and experiences you’ve gained so far in the Cronkite Agency in public relations or digital marketing projects side-by-side with classmates and faculty. This experience is 3 credits and can be completed in either the summer or the fall. Students also complete MCO 506 – Media Law.

Required

MCO 506 Media Law for Strategic Communication (3)
MCO 570 Capstone (3)

Master of Mass Communication

What will I learn in the Master of Mass Communication program?
The Master of Mass Communication program prepares students to tell stories that matter. Whether you want to produce award-winning journalism, engage communities in addressing social justice issues or develop strategic communications for a global brand, you can develop the skills and the confidence you need to make an impact.

Can I do the program part time?
No. This on-campus master’s program is a full-time program. Students typically take 12 to 15 course credits per semester.

Where will my classes be held?
Courses for the first two semesters are held in the Cronkite School’s state-of-the-art facility on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Students in this program can choose to complete their third semester in Phoenix or in Cronkite News bureaus in Los Angeles or Washington, D.C.

MCO 502 – Journalism Skills (8 credits)
MCO 530 – History, Philosophy and Ethics of Journalism (3 credits) OR

MCO 519 – Strategic Communications Leadership and Ethics (3 credits)

MCO 504 – Cronkite Master’s Seminar (1 credit)

Electives

MCO 535 – Latino and Transnational Issues (3 credits)
MCO 550 – Issues in Coverage of Business and the Economy (3 credits)
MCO 561 – Defining the Digital Audience (3 credits)

What classes will I take in the second semester?
In this semester, MMC students have maximum flexibility to create a schedule of courses that best serves their career goals.

Each student will take one class focused on quantitative skills (PR Research for those focused on strategic communications and Data Journalism for those focused on journalistic storytelling). 21st Century Media Organizations and Entrepreneurship gives journalism students a solid footing in understanding the business of media, much in the same way Writing for Public Relations and Strategic Communications Ethics and Leadership (from first semester) do for strategic communication students.

Advanced skills courses are where MMC students develop their own areas of expertise in terms of storytelling techniques (podcasting, photography, narrative writing, documentary film, bilingual reporting, opinion writing, etc.), subject matter (sustainability, borderlands, healthcare, business, etc.) and media roles (producer, editor, strategist, on-air broadcaster, writer, etc.). All MMC students will take at least two advanced skills courses (3 credits each), and they’re welcome to take a third advanced skills class or elective.

Required

MCO 510 – Data Journalism (3 credits) OR MCO 536 – Public Relations Research (3 credits)

MCO 525 – 21st Century Media Organizations and Entrepreneurship OR MCO 598 – Writing for Public Relations (3 credits)
Advanced Skills Class 1 (student choice) (3 credits)
Advanced Skills Class 2 (student choice) (3 credits)

Elective

Additional Advanced Skills Course (3 credits)

What classes will I take in the third semester?
The third semester is focused on developing your professional portfolio to set you apart in the job market. Students apply all of the skills and experience they’ve gained so far into one (or in some cases a combination of two) of the Cronkite School’s signature “professional programs.” These are newsrooms, labs and agencies that produce professional content under the direction of Cronkite faculty. A full list of the professional programs is here.

These experiences are 9 credits and can be completed in either the summer or the fall. In the summer, 9 credits requires five full days per week working in the professional program. In the fall semester (longer than the summer semester), 9 credits requires four full days per week.

Students also complete MCO 503 – Media Law. In the summer and fall, Media Law is available as a Session A online course. In the fall Media Law is also offered on campus.

Required

MCO 570 – Master’s Capstone Experience
MCO 503 – Media Law