Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications Personalized Interactive Global
Celebrating 15 years
of Distance Education
Designed for the working professional, the master’s degree enhances professional knowledge, skills, and leadership in journalism and mass communications.
The interdisciplinary curriculum combines up-to-date knowledge with practical application and individualized experience.
Real-time interaction between campus and distance students provides a unique perspective on media coverage from around the globe.
The Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications has five specializations, four of which are offered completely online. You can personalize a program to meet your individual interests and needs. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
Advertising (online)
Broadcasting (online)
News-Editorial (online)
Professional Journalism (online)
Marketing, Communication and Advertising (some courses online)
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Media professionals who want to enhance or add areas of expertise
Media professionals who want to advance in their field
Business professionals who design public relations and communication materials for companies
Middle school and high school teachers who produce or work with student staffs to produce school publications
Media professionals who wish to fulfill personal and professional goals
Full-time professionals who want flexible course schedules and delivery options
Independent, self-motivated individuals with a strong commitment to degree completion
Chartered in 1869, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a nationally accredited university.
UNL began offering distance courses in 1929. Students from around the world are enrolled in our internationally-respected distance education programs.
Online courses are taught by the same expert professors who teach on campus. Faculty and staff are responsive to student needs, creating an interactive community of learners.
Students are better equipped to achieve their academic goals, immediately apply what they learn and gain a competitive advantage in the workforce.
Resident Tuition Cost:
Resident Distance Ed. Tuition
Distance Ed. Fee
Registration Fee Per Semester
Tech Fee
Library Fee
Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
Graduate per credit hour
$273.00
$25.00
$20.00
$7.35
$3.00
Graduate 3 credit hours
$819.00
$75.00
$20.00
$22.05
$9.00
$945.05
Non-Resident Tuition Cost:
Non-Resident Distance Ed. Tuition
Distance Ed. Fee
Registration Fee Per Semester
Tech Fee
Library Fee
Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
Graduate per credit hour
$502.75
$25.00
$20.00
$7.35
$3.00
Graduate 3 credit hours
$1508.25
$75.00
$20.00
$22.05
$9.00
$1634.30
Tuition rates are effective as of 7/1/09 and are subject to change in July of each year.
Programs of Study
Advertising, Broadcasting and News-Editorial thesis track (option 1) : This track requires a minimum of 30 semester hours with a thesis. This consists of 9 required hours of course work in the major, 9 hours of electives and either a 6-hour professional project or 6 hours of advanced coursework in the major, and a 6-hour thesis. Eight credit hours in addition to the thesis must be earned in courses opened exclusively to graduate students.
Required Courses
Credit Hours
JGRD 915 Mass Media Theory**
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 919 Mass Media Research**
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 954 Government and the Media**
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 899 Thesis
6 cr. hr.
JGRD 992 Professional project or advanced coursework
6 cr. hr.
**Courses offered to graduates only
Elective Courses
9 hours outside the college or the student's area of specialization.
9 cr. hr.
30 cr. hr. total
Marketing, Communication and Advertising Professional Track (Option II)
Focuses on communication, culture, and organizations as well as marketing, advertising, promotional and communication strategies in cultural and international settings. This track requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit. A thesis is not required. The major consists of 18 hours, 9 hours in each of the two minors outside the college: Marketing and Communications Studies. Eighteen of the required hours in the major are core courses. Twelve credit hours must be earned in courses opened exclusively to graduate students.
Required Courses
Credit Hours
ADVT 881 Advertising and PR Research
3 cr. hr.
ADVT 884Advertising Management
3 cr. hr.
Elective Advertising and PR / Journalism Courses
12 cr. hr.
Required Marketing Courses
GRBA 813 Managerial Marketing *
3 cr. hr.
MRKT 830 Strategic Issues in Mrktg Comm. *
3 cr. hr.
Elective Marketing Courses
3 cr. hr.
Required Communications Studies Courses
COMM 852 Communication and Culture *
3 cr. hr.
COMM 886 Organizational Communication *
3 cr. hr.
Elective Communication Studies Course
3 cr. hr.
36 cr. hr. total **
* Course open exclusively to graduate students
* Twelve hours must be courses open exclusively to graduate students
Professional Journalism non-thesis track (option III) :
A minimum of 36 semester hours of credit, at least 18 of which must be in courses open exclusively to graduate students (800 or 900 level without 400 or lower counterparts). The program must include no fewer than 18 hours in the major. Capstone project and intensive coursework in place of a minor. 15 hours of coursework is required and student select 21 hours of electives.
Required Courses
Credit Hours
JGRD 901 Mass Media Issues & Ethics
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 902 Multi-platform journalism
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 903 Media Management
3 cr. hr.
JGRD 992 Professional project
6 cr. hr.
Elective Course
21 cr. hr.
36 cr. hr. total **
Tech Requirements
High speed Internet connection is required. Check the Graduate Distance Catalog to learn the specific requirements for your program.
USB camera and headset with microphone are required.
Some distance courses have supplemental materials on videos or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. You will interact with the professor and other students through e-mail, phone conferencing, and Blackboard.
Blackboard™ Requirements and Browser Configurations:
To effectively use Blackboard the Javascript and cookies on your computer must be enabled. Some content for features may require additional software. Pop-up blockers should be disabled for Blackboard (My.UNL). The browsers below are officially supported.
Internet Explorer: 7.0 or higher
Firefox: 2.0 or higher
Safari: 2.0 or higher
Older versions of the above or alternative browsers (such as Mozilla and Opera) may be compatible, but some features might not be available. To download the latest browsers, click the “help” button in Blackboard (My.UNL) and access the Downloads area.
Operating Systems:
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and up, or Mac OS X, 10.2 and up are strongly recommended. Older operating systems (Microsoft® Windows® 98SE/ME, MacOS 8/9) or alternative platforms (Linux) are compatible, but may not have full functionality. Blackboard (My.UNL) is not currently compatible with handheld devices or Web-enabled phones.
Windows
Macintosh
Minimum System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System:
Windows XP SP 2
(Home or Professional)
Operating System:
OS X (10.2)
Processor:
1 GHz
Processor:
G3 800 MHz
RAM:
256 MB
RAM:
256 MB
Recommended System Requirements
Recommended System Requirements
Operating
System:
Windows XP SP 2
(Home or Pro)
or Windows Vista
Operating
System:
OS X (10.4) or OS X (10.5)
Processor:
2 GHz or higher
Processor:
G4 1.25 GHz or higher
RAM:
768 MB or more
RAM:
768 MB or more
Note: Using Blackboard with AOL: While you can use AOL as your service provider, you cannot use the AOL Web browser to access Blackboard (My.UNL). If you try to use the AOL browser, you will find that it will automatically log you out every few minutes and you will experience problems with some of Blackboard’s services including assessments (tests and quizzes).
If you are an AOL user, once you’ve connected to the Internet, use a different Web browser to access the Internet.
Steps to Apply
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications related area
If you are interested in a graduate assistantship, you must be admitted to the program and apply for a position by March 15 (for fall) or by October 15 (for spring). Graduate Assistantship Application (8K PDF)
Review Process
Graduate Studies performs a preliminary review after receiving your online application, $45 application fee and transcripts. Your file is then forwarded to the Department Graduate Committee for review.
Department Graduate Committee conducts a departmental review only after all materials are received. The Department Graduate Committee notifies Graduate Studies of their admission recommendation.
Graduate Studies conducts a final review. If you are admitted, Graduate Studies will notify you by e-mail and mail.
For information regarding courses offered and department admission contact:
Graduate Advising:
Frauke Hachtmann
Associate Professor
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
141 Andersen Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0443 Phone: (402) 472-9848 Fax: (402) 472-8597 E-mail:fhachtmann1@unl.edu Web: http://www.unl.edu/journalism/
Extended Education & Outreach
900 North 22nd Street
P.O. Box 888805
Lincoln, NE 68588-8805 Phone: (402) 472-2715 Fax: (402) 472-4345 E-mail:unlextended@unl.edu Web:onlinegraduate.unl.edu
