Best Online Master’s in Journalism Programs

Harvard University can university offers an online master’s degree in journalism that prepares graduates for success in today’s digital era.

This degree program covers 12 courses, most of the coursework can be accessed online, and they must complete at least one on-campus course.

Courses explored in the program include feature writing, the U.S. Constitution and the media, and a journalism capstone. Students can streamline their degrees by earning a certificate in digital storytelling, marketing management and digital strategy, and business communication.

Applicants are required to complete two journalism courses and earn a minimum 3.0 GPA before submitting a formal application. Harvard holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Emerson College was established in 1880, this college is focused greatly on academic excellence, innovation, and accessible coursework. The college offers a wide variety of online degrees to increase accessibility.

Remote students at Emerson can earn a master’s in journalism. This degree features 40 credits and is typically completed in a year.

Core courses explored in this program include long-form multimedia storytelling, reporting and writing, data visualization, and law and public policy for journalists. This degree requires students to complete a culminating 12-week capstone course with an internship.

Remote learners access online coursework through the Canvas learning management system, the course is usually delivered in an asynchronous format.

Emerson is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The University of Missouri offers over 300 degree programs, including 97 undergraduate majors and 96 master’s degrees.

Mizzou offers an online master’s degree in journalism that does not require students to visit the campus. This degree features 37 credits and students are allowed to streamline their degree by choosing a concentration track in interactive media, health communication, strategic communication, and media management.

Most remote courses are delivered in an asynchronous format and follow an eight- or 16-week format. However, some courses may require live chat sessions and proctored quizzes or exams.

Mizzou charges online journalism graduate students the same tuition rates regardless of residence. Mizzou is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of Iowa operates 11 colleges and offers more than 200 majors, minors, and certificate programs.

Journalism students at UI can earn an online master’s degree in strategic communication. The curriculum of this program features 30 credits, divided into 15 core credits and 15 elective credits.

Core courses explored include copywriting for strategic communication, media management for strategic communication, and foundations of strategic communication. Students are required to complete a capstone course and online courses meet synchronously once a week.

Applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores like GRE. The University of Iowa holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of Alabama was founded in 1831, it was the first public college in Alabama. The university values civic engagement, student-centered learning, and research.

The University of Alabama offers an online master’s degree in journalism that features 31 credits, including 13 core credits, 15 cognate elective credits, and three professional project credits.

Students typically complete this program in under two years. Core courses explore communication theory, contemporary issues in journalism, digital media production tools, and entrepreneurial journalism.

Applicants are required to submit a professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. The University of Alabama holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Nebraska Lincoln is the leader in distance education and has a graduate enrollment of over 4,500 students. This college values accessible coursework, service, and research.

Graduate students at the University of Nebraska can earn an online master of arts in journalism and mass communications that does not require campus visits. This degree features 36 credits, including 12 core credits and 24 elective credits.

Elective options include theories of organizational communication, marketing and globalization, intercultural communication, and strategic database marketing.

Online courses are delivered in an asynchronous format, this allows students to complete their assignments at their convenience and within deadline dates.

UNL is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of South Florida St. Petersburg offers over 27 undergraduate programs and 17 graduate programs, including an online master’s in digital journalism and design.

This online journalism master’s program features 33-39 credits, including 15-18 core credits and 15-18 elective credits, students can earn their degree in a year.

Core courses cover virtual reality and alternative storytelling, magazine design and production, telling stories with data, and neighborhood news bureau.

USFSP is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Ball State University offers the lowest tuition in the Mid-American Conference. The college also values immersive learning and affordability.

Remote learners can earn a master’s degree in journalism that does not require them to visit the campus. This program features 36 credits and requires students to complete a capstone course.

Students can choose from two specialization tracks: digital storytelling and media analytics and management. Core courses covered in this program include media audiences and content strategy and studies in journalism and communication theory. Ball State is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Regent University is a Christian institution that is also military-friendly. The school has a graduate enrollment that includes over 4,000 students.

Regent offers an online master’s degree in journalism taught through a Christian lens. This online program does not require students to visit the campus for any reason.

Courses explored in this program include feature writing and specialty reporting, social media and internet marketing, reporting on the American government, and multimedia reporting and mobile field production. This program also requires a research project and the online courses follow an eight-week format.

Regent is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

National University was founded in 1971,  the college prioritizes accessible programs. The university is a military-friendly school and offers nontraditional students access to over 75 programs.

NU offers an entirely online master’s in journalism that covers topics like international journalism, enterprise reporting, and data journalism. Students develop a professional portfolio over the course of the program, and NU encourages students to engage in internship opportunities.

Remote learners focus on one course each month,  join a cohort, and build meaningful relationships with their peers. National University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.