The Missouri School of Journalism awarded the first master’s and doctoral degrees in journalism in 1921 and 1934, respectively. The master’s and doctoral programs at the School enjoy superb reputations, both among scholars and among practitioners in news, advertising, public relations and strategic communication.
For the master’s program, Missouri Journalism offers a complete set of real-media experiences. We operate the only network affiliate (NBC) television station in the country used to train journalism students. We publish a community daily newspaper (not a campus paper), and we operate four major web sites, a local magazine and an international magazine. Students also may train at our campus-based NPR affiliate.
Our strategic communication students design media campaigns for local and national clients. Our students have created advertising and public relations campaigns for Nokia, Apple, Dr Pepper, Anheuser-Busch, Duncan Hines, DuPont, Dow Chemical, Kinko’s, Eastman Kodak and many other leading international brands.
We operate educational programs in Washington, D.C., New York, and Brussels where many of our students carry out their capstone projects or do research. We also partner with educational programs around the world.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
Admission criteria
Application Deadline
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 15* |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 undergraduate; 3.5 graduate
- Applicants should have an earned master’s degree (or will be earned by their selected start term) and a demonstrated interest, education or professional experience in journalism, advertising, public relations, mass communication or a related field. A degree (bachelor’s or master’s) in one of those fields or two years of full-time professional media experience is preferred. All required information must be received before the admission review can begin. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with the doctoral faculty as part of the review process. Students who did not write a thesis in their master’s program may be required to complete a project to demonstrate their ability to do independent research.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores**
**Note: Every non-native English-speaking applicant who is applying to a graduate program at the Missouri School of Journalism must submit an English proficiency test score even if they meet all the criteria set by the University to be exempt from the English language requirement.
Suggested GRE Scores***
| When did you take the GRE? | Verbal + Quantitative |
| Prior to August 1, 2011 | 1100 |
| On or after August 1, 2011 | V: 156+; Q: 146+ |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Journalism Doctoral Program
Please upload the following application materials into the Graduate School online application:
- Upload unofficial copies of all transcripts (in English) to the Academics of your application.
- Résumé
- Writing sample (such as thesis proposal, sole authored or first authored papers)
- 3 letters of recommendation (use the online Graduate School application system)
- GRE score (will be waived for the Fall 2025 applicants)
- Statement of Doctoral Objectives: The purpose of the statement of doctoral objectives is to give the admissions committee additional insight into the applicant’s background, research interests and goals. The statement should include the following elements:
- Tell us about yourself. How did you become interested in the field? If your undergraduate and master’s degrees are in different fields, explain how your education prepared you for a research degree in the field of journalism or strategic communication. Take this opportunity to share details about your relevant experiences.
- Research Interests: Explain your research interests and identify which of our main research areas you would like to explore if accepted into the doctoral program. Explain your interest in this area (or areas) and how your research plans align with it. You should also identify the research methods you have used in any prior research – such as your MA thesis or conference papers – and those you would incorporate in your future research.
- Fit within the program and “Why Missouri.” Describe how you see your research interests aligning with the strengths of the School; this may include specific research strengths or faculty within the school. What about the doctoral program at the Missouri School of Journalism appeals to you? Specifically, why do you want to pursue a doctoral degree here?
- Future Goals: What is your motivation to pursue a doctoral degree? What sort of position would you pursue when you complete your doctoral studies?
Master's
On Campus
Admission criteria
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- Current undergraduate students in the Missouri School of Journalism are eligible to apply to this program
Campus program deadlines
| Entrance Term | Apply by |
| Fall | January 1 |
| Spring | September 1 |
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application.
For the Journalism Master’s Program
Please upload the following application materials into the Graduate School online application:
- Upload unofficial copies of all transcripts (in English) to the Academics section of your application.
- 3 essays as specified on the School of Journalism website
- Résumé
- 3 letters of recommendation (use the online Graduate School application system)
On Campus Requires Campus Visits
The program offers an on-campus Master of Arts in Journalism and an online Master of Arts in Journalism. The areas of study the online MA program offers are Health Communication, Interactive Media, Media Management, and Strategic Communication.
Admission criteria
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours
- 3 years professional experience in a journalism or communication field (online program only)
Campus program deadlines*
| Entrance Term | Apply by | Course work begins |
| Fall | January 1 | August |
Online program deadlines*
8 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester or session
| Entrance Term | Apply by | Course work begins |
| Summer | April 14 | June |
| Fall | June 13 | August |
| Fall, second 8-week session | August 26 | October |
| Spring | November 25 | January |
| Spring, second 8-week session | January 20 | March |
*Note: Deadlines are adhered to strictly, and no applicant is considered for admission until all required information is received.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores**
**Note: Every non-native English-speaking applicant who is applying to a graduate program at the Missouri School of Journalism must submit an English proficiency test score even if they meet all the criteria set by the University to be exempt from the English language requirement.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Journalism Master’s Program
Please upload the following application materials into the Graduate School online application:
- Upload unofficial copies of all transcripts (in English) to the Academics section of your application.
- 3 essays as specified on the School of Journalism website
- Résumé
- 3 letters of recommendation (use the online Graduate School application system)
Graduate Certificate
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 15
Certificate description:
The Graduate Certificate in Interactive Media prepares students in the use of interactive, digital and social media. It provides insights into how people perceive and process digital messages. Students will investigate the psychological, social, ethical and legal issues regarding the roles and effects of digital news, advertising and public relations on society.
Certificate web site:
https://journalism.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/graduate-degrees/online-certificates/
Admission Criteria
Application Deadlines: 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester or session
| Entrance term | Apply by | Course work begins |
| Summer | April 14 | June |
| Fall | June 13 | August |
| Fall, second 8-week session | August 26 | October |
| Spring | November 25 | January |
| Spring, second 8-week session | January 20 | March |
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores*
*Note: Every non-native English-speaking applicant who is applying to a graduate program at the Missouri School of Journalism must submit an English proficiency test score even if they meet all the criteria set by the University to be exempt from the English language requirement.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- Writing sample (optional)