Sports Journalism, MA
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Combine your sports knowledge with the art of in-depth reporting or strategic communications. Sports journalism graduate students regularly cover major professional and collegiate sports in Arizona and some of the world's largest sporting events. This Cronkite master's degree will prepare you to accelerate your career through hands-on reporting and production courses.
Sports media is among the fastest-growing sectors of the media industry. The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication's MA in sports journalism is a 36 credit hour, three-semester program providing students with unparalleled preparation for careers in sports media and communication.
Students begin with intensive multimedia skills courses, which teach them to produce sports and news coverage across broadcast, digital and print platforms. From there, students choose advanced classes in sports reporting, videography, podcast production, live sports production, play-by-play delivery, narrative writing and documentary video before finishing the program in sports bureaus located in Phoenix or Los Angeles, or at the Cronkite Agency, an immersive strategic communications agency experience at the journalism school.
Students learn the values and principles embodied by Walter Cronkite in classes that focus on sports journalism ethics and media law, and they can complete the degree program in as little as 12 months.
- College/school:
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
36 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Electives or Research (3 credit hours) Other Requirement (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (9 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.
MCO 503 Media Law (3)
MCO 510 Data Journalism (3)
MCO 526 Advanced Issues in 21st Century Sports and Media (3)
MCO 529 Ethics and Diversity in Sports Journalism (3)
MCO 540 Sports Reporting (3)
MCO 502 Journalism Skills (8)
MCO 504 Cronkite Master's Seminar (1)
MCO 570 Master of Mass Communication Capstone (9)
Students must complete a total of eight credit hours of MCO 502, which is offered at variable credit hours and can be taken multiple times.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement of interest (350 to 500 words in length)
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. TOEFL scores must be at least 100 for the internet-based examination.
The Cronkite School's graduate committee reviews complete and on-time applications on a rolling basis, with priority for admission and funding for applications received by December 1.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Final |
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Evaluate the principles of journalism, such as accuracy, fairness, timeliness, diversity and privacy, and apply such principles to their course requirements.
- Evaluate ethical, diversity and legal standards relevant to the journalism industry and create culturally proficient communication.
- Develop the tools, technology and techniques for sports content creation that adheres to accepted journalistic standards and practices, and which prepares them for careers in sports media and communication.
Studying abroad is possible for graduate students. There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find more information on the Global Education Office website.
Expertise in the sports journalism field is in high demand across sports organizations, news networks and digital media outlets. The high-value takeaways and tactical skills gained in the sports journalism master's degree program turn students into competitive job candidates and sports journalism leaders.
Career opportunities for graduates with a sports journalism master's degree include:
- sports editor
- sports news reporter
- sports play-by-play announcer
- sports podcast or radio host
- sports PR and strategic communications professional
- sports television and video producer
- sports television reporter
- team, league or conference reporter
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 302
cronkitegrad@asu.edu
602-496-5555
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
