Specializations
As an MSJ student, you will select a specialization area that matches your career goals and interests. In addition to foundational MSJ courses, you will take classes specific to your specialization. All students select a specialization, and you will indicate which specialization you want to pursue on your application.
Some specializations start in summer and others start in fall.
Summer Start Specializations
Business, Economics and Money
Business, Economics and Money will teach reporters how to uncover financial stories and present them in ways that help their audience understand their critical importance.
Health, Environment and Science
Follow your passion for medicine, healthcare, science and the environment as you pursue stories anywhere in the world, from medical research labs to environmental hot spots.
Media Innovation and Content Strategy
Combine your love of journalism with your entrepreneurial spirit and learn how to lead, launch or build digital media businesses.
Medill Investigative Programs
Work side-by-side with veteran journalists on investigations of national importance. The investigative skills you learn in these specializations – one entirely in Chicago and one with time in Washington, D.C. – will serve you well in your career no matter what area of journalism you pursue.
Politics, Policy and Foreign Affairs
Learn to cover politics and policy and the latest in foreign affairs as a credentialed reporter in the nation’s capital.
Fall Start Specializations
Magazine
Learn how print and digital magazine content is assembled and published. Write, edit and conceptualize stories and gain an understanding of strong narrative storytelling.
Social Justice and Solutions Journalism
Use your journalism skills to shine light on injustice and inequality. Learn how to make a difference in the lives of those who are disenfranchised, vulnerable or oppressed.
Sports Media
Go beyond game coverage by learning to tackle commentaries, profiles and analyses that sports fans love. Your training will take you onto the field and behind the scenes at sporting events.
Video and Broadcast
Develop your skills in areas such as TV news, video storytelling and documentary. Use our state-of-the-art video equipment and studios to hone your craft.