UF launches professional master's degree in multimedia journalism

January 19, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications will launch a professional Master of Arts degree in mass communication with an emphasis on multimedia journalism, with specializations for both telecommunication and journalism students beginning this summer.

The new degree program, slated to start in July with a summer boot camp, will emphasize multimedia reporting and news production and is geared for students aiming for careers in professional journalism.

Students in the program will learn principles and advanced techniques, with courses in entrepreneurial and multimedia journalism, newsroom management and issues management. Students also will gain extensive applied newsroom experience through internships in newspaper, magazine and broadcast properties throughout the country, as well as by working in the college’s seven multimedia properties.

The degree work culminates in a master’s project seminar leading to a final project. This allows journalists to gain practical experience working with their newly acquired communication strategies.

“The industry is seeking journalists prepared to produce materials in digital audio and video formats, as well as text,” said Debbie Treise, associate dean of graduate students for the College of Journalism and Communications. “UF’s graduate programs in mass communication consistently rank in the top ten nationally according to U.S. News and World Report, and we believe there is a strong market of people who want advanced professional multimedia training in order to be more competitive in the ever-changing media industry and increase their attractiveness to employers.”

Completed in two years, the deadline to apply is Feb. 15 and students will start classes at the beginning of the University of Florida’s second summer session. For more information about the professional master’s degree, the curriculum or admission requirements, visit http://www.jou.ufl.edu/grad/prof-mamc-jm-mm/ for the journalism emphasis, and http://www.jou.ufl.edu/grad/prof-mamc-tel-mm/ for the telecommunication emphasis.