Broadcast and Digital Journalism Master’s Curriculum

Our curriculum—short, intense, exciting.

The broadcast and digital journalism (BDJ) master’s program has a 40-credit curriculum that begins the week after the July Fourth holiday and ends in August of the following year.

During that time, you’ll launch yourself into our summer Boot Camp, which will immerse you in the experience of working in a real newsroom. During the year, you’ll go into the field to produce packages and report live, develop your skills in writing for the ear, and finish with a capstone experience reporting in Washington, D.C.

Broadcast and Digital Journalism Master’s Program Schedule

Summer Session II – 6 credits (July)

BDJ 611Writing for Broadcast and Digital News
Basic techniques of writing broadcast and digital news stories. Emphasis on learning to write radio, web and television stories under deadline pressure. Interviewing and information gathering are also studied.
3 credits
BDJ 663News Reporting I
News reporting, writing for broadcast and web, and newscast production using audio as the principal technology. Students cover real news stories on deadline, using state-of-the-art digital audio editing equipment.
3 credits

Internship – 1 credit

Students are required to complete a one-credit internship in either the fall or spring of their program. The internship credit can also be completed over winter break. If you choose this option the internship will be done over break but the credit will be listed as part of the spring semester.

Fall Semester – 11 credits

BDJ 510Topics in Specialized Practice
Development of skills that enhance the news product. Different sections could focus on different specialized practices such as internet research or vocal performance.
1 credit
BDJ 664News Reporting II
Gathering and reporting news on deadline using electronic means. Involves shooting video, video editing, reporting, and writing for broadcast and Web. Taped and live performance are both emphasized.
4 credits
COM 647
or
COM 698
Applied Media Research
Application of communications research techniques to specific problems of broadcasting, advertising, newspapers, magazines, and public relations. Individual and group projects.
or
Media Law
Problems in media law, including libel, privacy, fair trial/free press, obscenity.
3 credits
Elective3 credits

Spring Semester – 12 credits

BDJ 636Critical and Historical Perspectives on Broadcast Journalism
History, economics, and traditions of broadcast journalism with particular emphasis on contemporary ethical challenges. 
2 credits
BDJ 667News Reporting III
Planning and production of longer news-related program segments of professional quality. Writing, research, and execution of mini-documentaries, enterprise reports and multi-media web stories.
4 credits
COM 647 or
COM 698
Applied Media Research
Application of communications research techniques to specific problems of broadcasting, advertising, newspapers, magazines, and public relations. Individual and group projects.
or
Media Law
Problems in media law, including libel, privacy, fair trial/free press, obscenity.
3 credits
Elective3 credits

Summer Session I – 6 credits

BDJ 665News Producing and Presenting
Students produce television newscasts and file stories to a website. Students rotate in positions including producers (newscast and web), writers, editors, anchors, sports, and weather. The newscasts are delivered on a professional news set.
6 credits

Summer Session II – 4 credits

BDJ 675Washington Professional Experience
The D.C. experience is a capstone course for Broadcast and Digital Journalism graduate students. Its key elements are a substantive internship in the D.C. area and seminars with top journalists and high-level government officials.
4 credits