CoPress

With more and more student journalists thinking about graduate school, there are many factors to consider in making the choice. In a rapidly changing industry, the options can seem a little daunting. In fact, this list was originally intended to be the “Top 10 Online Journalism Graduate Programs,” but further examination found that, well, a lot of online journalism programs look alike. Most require a similar laundry list of courses. They go a little something like this: take a class on video, one on audio. Then, take a class on the changing face of news, followed by one on ethics, etc. All these classes are followed by the introductory one which teaches the basics of reporting.

Luckily for you, however, there are a few programs that are head and shoulders above the rest.

5. Columbia University — New York, NY

While I tried not to include this classic in journalism education on the list, it was difficult to ignore them. Their faculty and the access you will gain to distinguished alumni still make Columbia a great institution no matter what area of journalism it is. Having professors like Sreenath Sreenivasan brings credibility and a forward-thinking attitude to the school.

What makes Columbia stand out: The faculty – some of the best of the best in the industry.

4. Stanford Graduate School of Journalism — Stanford, CA

While the program offers no specific program for online journalism, it’s location near the Silicon Valley brings to it some very tech-y faculty and some interesting courses, such as “Media Enterpenuership.” They’ve even recently launched a online publication for new media news for their students, entitled iStanford.

What makes Stanford stand out: Location, Location, Location.

3. Missouri Graduate School of Journalism — Columbia, MO

Any school that requires iPhones for its incoming journalism students is either crazy or insanely advanced. I vote the latter. Other than its famous new requirement, Missouri is known for one thing: options. Their long list of masters options really makes it possible for you to make a “create-your-own” masters program (after your complete the core curriculum, of course) to ensure that you’re learning exactly what it is that you want.

What makes Mizzou stand out: iPhone requirement and varied masters program

2. Medill at Northwestern University — Evanston, IL

It’s graduate program is broken down into two sections: training in technical skills and training in reporting skills. Does it get any more straightforward than that? Most recently journalism students joined with computer science majors to create new journalism tools, including:

• A program that creates computer-generated sports stories from box scores and play-by-play
• A Microsoft Word plug-in that allows reporters to speedily research and fact-check stories as they write them without having to switch to the internet
• An iPhone web application that provides the daily news in five- 10- and 20-minute chunks for news-hungry readers with limited time
• Two Twitter-based applications.

What makes Medill stand out: Rich history and detailed, modern curriculum.

1. CUNY Graduate School of Journalism — New York, NY

This new school has an advantage over the others – it’s brand new. Created in 2007, the school was able to create the nearly perfect online journalism program for what the industry faces today. Where else can you take a class in enterpenurial journalism and then have your idea be given the chance to receive start-up funds? Not to mention the fact that CUNY is currently leading the pack in not having separate tracks for the various mediums of journalism. With the mantra, “One media is all media,” no one really compares.

What makes CUNY stand out: Faculty (Including Jeff Jarvis and Eric Alterman), and a unique, top of the line approach to curriculum.