Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
The Howard Center trains the next generation of reporters through hands-on investigative journalism projects.
Investigate stories and make an impact
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the Cronkite School is a groundbreaking journalism program that advances deeply researched watchdog journalism. The Howard Center, supported by the Scripps Howard Fund, focuses on training the next generation of reporters through hands-on investigative journalism projects. Our students uncover, deeply research and publish stories of significant importance – many of which have won national and regional awards.
Top-performing graduate and undergraduate students produce national and regional investigations in partnership with professional news outlets across the country. View a selection of our investigations below.
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the Cronkite School was made possible by The Scripps Howard Fund, which supports philanthropic causes important to The E.W. Scripps Company and the communities it serves, with a special emphasis on excellence in journalism.
To read more about the Howard Center and its investigations and fellows, go to: https://howardcenter.asu.edu/
Read our investigations
The leadership PAC loophole
A loophole in federal campaign finance law that allows candidates to spend donations for their own personal use, and the only people who can change the law are the ones who directly benefit from it.
Lithium Liabilities
Federal officials are investing billions of dollars to increase domestic mining for lithium, the critical mineral used to power electric vehicles, computers and even military technology. The goal is to decrease reliance on foreign countries.
In the Sheriff We Trust
The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, which experts have labeled anti-democratic and anti-government, has spread its ideology across the nation, a collaborative investigation between the Howard Center and AZCIR has found.
Gaslit
U.S. oil and gas companies have burned off at least 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas over much of the last decade, while unknown amounts of the methane-rich gas have flowed directly into the atmosphere.
Homeland Secrets
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE, have been involved in at least 13 shootings nationwide, most in the last two years, according to an investigation by the Howard Center at ASU.
COVID’s Invisible Victims
Stay-at-home orders take on a whole new meaning when you have no home. The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism explores the pandemic’s impact on America’s homeless population.
Operation Agent Touch
HSI agents went undercover to break up an alleged sex-trafficking ring, but their “investigative techniques” collapsed the case and let suspected traffickers go free.
Course Prerequisites
Students who seek to use this course as a capstone experience must complete the following prerequisites. Please direct questions to the faculty listed below, or your academic adviser.
Undergraduate: JMC 305 and JMC 301/302. It is also recommended that undergraduate students complete JMC 494: Elements of Investigative Journalism or at least one advanced skills class (such as MCO 470: Depth Reporting, MCO 465: Telling Stories with Data, JMC 440: Magazine Writing, or JMC 494: Sustainability Short-Form Documentary).
Graduate: MCO 502. It is also recommended that graduate students complete at least one advanced skills class.
Meet the Team
Get to know the Howard Center Leadership, Faculty and Advisors.