Dec 31, 2025  
USC Catalogue 2025-2026 
    
USC Catalogue 2025-2026

Journalism (MS)


Studies toward the Master of Science in Journalism require 30 units of prescribed courses and approved electives in the student’s field of study. No more than 8 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the Master of Science in Journalism.

Students who earn a GPA of below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and must improve according to established terms if they are to remain in the school. In the case of courses offered on Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis, faculty review of competence will be substituted for grades.

Residence

Students in the Master of Science in Journalism can complete the program in eleven months by enrolling in the seven-week summer immersion course and enrolling in a total of 23 units in the fall and spring semesters. The School of Journalism will accept only 4 units of approved transferred graduate credit.

Students may waive JOUR 560  if they have taken a similar course at their undergraduate institution. A syllabus must be turned in and approved by the graduate director. 

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements

There is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master’s degree, but fluency in the English language is needed for success in the program.

Capstone Project

MS in Journalism students must enroll in JOUR 598  (2 units) in order to graduate. Completed projects are judged by a committee appointed by the director of the School of Journalism and degrees are conferred based on the committee’s review.

Emphases


Students interested in specific journalistic platforms are encouraged to select an emphasis and complete the recommended courses for that emphasis: