Multimedia Journalism

The M.S. degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Multimedia Journalism requires 36 credit hours, including 30 hours in “core” multimedia journalism courses. Students will take an additional six credit hours outside of mass communications, in a collateral area. Students will learn the theory and practice of journalism in an immersion news environment. The students may specialize through graduate electives, projects and stories in any number of “beat” areas. For example, students may focus on coverage of health or the environment or concentrate on learning about international coverage.

The graduate multimedia journalism program builds on the School’s already strong undergraduate journalism program, which has been in the forefront of schools in the nation that are requiring undergraduate students to acquire multimedia skills. A number of faculty in the School are recognized for their expertise in new media and do extensive newsroom training and education for professional journalists. Top-level industry professionals also teach in the graduate program.

The multimedia program has a cohort admission and scheduling of courses.

The field of journalism requires a new generation of communications professionals who are able to function at the highest levels of professional practice and apply sophisticated writing and reporting skills to a multi-platform media environment.

The Master of Science in Mass Communications (Multimedia Journalism) is designed to help professionals working in journalism or those with undergraduate journalism degrees achieve higher levels of professional competence. Admission requirements include academic background in journalism (university degree) or at least two years of appropriate journalism experience. Experienced senior-level professionals and members of the School’s full-time faculty teach in the program.

Classes will meet during 46 intensive Friday evening and Saturday periods scheduled over 15 months. The two collateral classes are taken during evening class times scheduled by the collateral department or on non-conflicting weekend times.

The professional program requires each student to choose one of a collateral area for study. Each student will take 6 credits of graduate electives to complete this requirement.

To apply to the, contact June Nicholson, Director of Graduate Studies by email at jonichol@vcu.edu or phone 804-827-0251. She will provide additional information.

Read the program description in the VCU Bulletin.

To apply online, complete the application form available at the VCU Graduate School Website. Note that this program has a summer admission only. Pay the online application fee. Send official, sealed transcripts for all graduate and undergraduate work to the VCU Graduate School. Make sure that your official GRE scores also are sent to the VCU Graduate School. Deadlines for admission are Jan. 15 and March 15 for preferred consideration. The school may admit other students who submit materials beyond those deadlines, depending on availability of spaces.

Send to the Director of Graduate Studies:

• An updated résumé .
• A personal statement of educational and professional objective.
• Three official graduate references, using the graduate reference forms available on the VCU Graduate School Website.
• Portfolio material from your undergraduate and/or graduate and/or professional experience.
• Unofficial or official transcripts of all graduate or graduate work.
• GRE scores (you may self-report those).

Send to:

June Nicholson
Director of Graduate Studies
VCU School of Mass Communications
Virginia Commonwealth University
901 W. Main Street
Room 1108