MA in Journalism
The School of Journalism is now accepting applications from students interested in a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism. We’ll choose our first class in April of 2010 and begin the new program the next fall. The application deadline is February 15.
The new master’s program responds to a critical need for journalists trained to tell compelling stories that illuminate the complex relationship between nature and society. Our graduate students will work with world-class science and journalism faculty to produce cutting-edge stories in a spectacular physical and academic setting.
Set in the heart of the Northern Rockies, surrounded by wilderness, forests, rivers and national parks, the University hosts interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Studies, Climate Change Studies, and Natural Resources Conflict Resolution. Together with journalism’s new graduate focus, these programs draw from disciplines ranging from the hard sciences to geography, ethics and the law to create a dynamic intellectual community concerned with understanding the relationship between humanity and the earth.
UM is also home to the internationally acclaimed College of Forestry and Conservation, with programs studying ecosystem management, forestry, wildlife biology, and the interaction of society and nature, from research facilities in space, in forests and rangelands, and on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the western United States.
Beyond their practical training and research in environmental journalism, our students will choose courses from an array of subjects reflecting the University of Montana’s commitment to the conservation of nature and the well-being of humanity.
They will produce print and photo stories, multi-media projects, web and broadcast documentaries that address global as well as regional issues like wilderness policy, environmental health, endangered species, forestry and mining practices, and the management of public lands, climate change and natural resources.
Where will our graduates work?
Our graduates will find work everywhere that journalists are working today and in the future, from traditional news media to online news organizations, nonprofits, government agencies and educational institutions. The practical skills and special knowledge they acquire in Montana will expand the venues for them to practice their craft.
Who can apply to the program?
We want applicants with degrees or professional experience in journalism. We also seek applicants with undergraduate degrees in science, environmental studies and natural resource issues who are willing to take foundational journalism courses to qualify for admission to the program. Similarly, journalists without a background in the sciences may have to take foundational science courses that will not count toward the degree.
What does the admission process include?
All applicants must apply through the online process established by the Graduate School. Beyond the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must submit a resume, a statement of interest and five samples of their professional or academic writing. Applicants with a background in broadcast, photo or multimedia journalism must submit samples of such work as well.
In addition, applicants must:
• Submit GRE scores. We do not consider LSAT scores.
• Show strong academic potential for successful completion of the program.
• Show evidence of potential and strong interest in the field of journalism.
International students
Environmental issues must be addressed around the world, which is why we highly encourage qualified international students to apply.
The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam may substitute for the GRE under the following conditions: TOEFL scores must be at least 600 (paper-based exam), at least 250 (computer-based exam) or at least 100 (Internet-based exam); IELTS scores must be at least 7.0; MELAB scores must be at least 82.
Due to journalism’s necessary emphasis on language skills, applicants for whom English is not the native language may be asked to successfully complete an interview in English with the program director.
All international applicants should make themselves familiar with the Graduate School’s policies regarding international students.
What are the degree and course requirements?
Students working toward the 36-credit degree must successfully complete:
• 18 credits in journalism (15 credits in required courses and 3 credits in journalism electives).
• 12 credits in approved non-journalism graduate courses in natural resource issues and/or environmental science.
• 6 credits of professional project work in journalism.
Required journalism courses:
• J505/Seminar in Environmental Journalism
• J567/Studies in Press and Broadcast Law
• J570/Environmental Science and Natural Resource
• J575/Story Lab
• J690/Externship
• Journalism elective
Required non-journalism courses:
Students also are required to successfully complete 12 credits of approved non-journalism courses relevant to the coverage of natural resource issues or environmental science. Registration in such courses is subject to availability, prerequisites and consent of instructor.
To help students in their choices, we’ve assembled a list of potential courses, divided into specialties. Students are not limited to the courses on this list, and they may select courses from each specialty. We’ve contacted department heads or instructors for permission to advertise each course on this list.
General studies:
• GEOG 432 – Human Role in Environmental Change
• ECON 433 – Economics of the Environment
• PHIL 504 – Colloquium on the Philosophy of Ecology
• HIST 564 – U.S. Environmental History
Policy studies:
• LAW 650 – Introduction to Environmental Law (Students would also be welcome in Environmental Law II and in a new course, the Law of Climate Change.)
• FOR/RSCN 422 – Natural Resource Policy and Administration
• FOR 513 – Natural Resources and Environmental Dispute Resolution
• FOR 622 – Advanced Problems in Environmental Policy
• WBIO 410 – Wildlife Policy and Biopolitics
• COMM 575 – Seminar in Rhetoric & Environmental Controversy
• ECON 445 – International Environmental Economics and Climate Change
Science studies:
• WBIO 470 – Conservation & Wildlife Populations
• BIO 575 – Frontiers in Conservation Research
• GEOSCI 488 – Snow, Ice & Climate
• FOR 532 – Forest Ecosystem Analysis
• FOR/RSCN 570 – Graduate Seminar in Political Ecology
• FOR/RSCN 571 – International Conservation and Development
• FOR 501 – Research Methods
Analysis & Representation studies:
• GEOG 468 – Community & Regional Analysis
• GEOG 580 – Seminar in GIS & Cartography
• MATH 444 – Statistical Methods
• FOR 503 – GIS Methods and Applications
What will the professional project entail?
All students must produce a professional project, a work of journalism suitable for online dissemination at reputable, credible Web sites. The work must represent an original and in-depth contribution to the public knowledge of environmental science and natural resource issues, subject to the approval of a faculty project committee. Students may choose to produce one large, documentary-style project or three shorter but thematically related pieces.
Project committees must include a chair and reviewer chosen from the School of Journalism faculty and a faculty member from another school or department.
Financial Assistance
For campuswide financial aid information, see the Money section of the Graduate School’s Web site.
Teaching Assistantships
The School of Journalism offers two graduate teaching assistantships each academic year: one for a photojournalist and one for a broadcast journalist. TAs assist faculty in a variety of ways, including researching class materials, grading assignments, delivering some lectures and leading labs and discussion groups. The assistantships are available only to students admitted to full-time (nine-credit) graduate status by the Graduate School. Full-time TAs work approximately 15 hours per week for 15 weeks each fall and spring semester. In addition to their salaries, TAs receive a tuition waiver and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Students must reapply each semester for their assistantships. Both current and incoming graduate students are urged to apply.
To be considered for an assistantship, please indicate your interest on the online application or by e-mail to the director of the journalism graduate program
Fellowships and Scholarships
The School of Journalism offers the several special fellowship and scholarship opportunities, and we encourage student to express their interest in the following:
• The Kim Williams Fellowships are awarded to graduate students in journalism who are interested in environmental reporting.
• The Billings Family Fellowship is awarded to a female graduate student with outstanding potential as a public affairs reporter.
• The Ted Delany Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student with outstanding potential as a writer.
Graduate students frequently receive other journalism scholarship awarded each spring at the school’s Dean Stone scholarship banquet.
