Powerful education uniting theory and practice awaits you if you choose Ball State for graduate studies in journalism or public relations. Many of our teaching professionals have been just that—professionals in their journalistic fields, giving them excellent insight into the needs facing students interested in careers in journalism or public relations.
Our master’s programs can focus on journalism or public relations in general, or they can be arranged with several useful specializations. The journalism program includes specializations in literary journalism and business journalism, while the public relations program includes specializations in business, communication studies, public affairs, and sport communications. Our public relations program is offered on campus as well as at the Ball State Indianapolis Center.
In addition, students may choose to enroll in a joint program involving the Department of Journalism and the Center for Information and Communication Sciences. The program is for those who want to combine studies in journalism or public relations with specialized learning in information management and technology.
Whatever you choose, your education will benefit from the presence of student media opportunities that provide hands-on experiences. Examples include The Ball State Daily News, expo magazine, Ball Bearings, a Web-zine, and a public relations agency, Cardinal Communications. These media organizations are frequent award winners, and provide experiences that can be augmented with professional internships.
In addition, graduate students have access to a variety of labs, including an integrated media lab, which offers hands-on experience in media convergence, and an applied research lab allowing students to participate directly in a variety of research projects using various methodologies.
Our graduate programs serve approximately 75 students at a time and nearly 700 have earned graduate degrees since the first was granted in 1966.
Many of our graduate students receive assistantships in our department as well as with other areas across campus. An assistantship in the Department of Journalism provides a tuition waiver and a modest stipend. In addition to a full load of classes, graduate assistants must work 20 hours each week on a variety of assignments.