Curriculum

The MSJ Health, Environment and Science curriculum provides you with a solid foundation in the principles of modern journalism as well as in-depth subject area knowledge in reporting on topics related to health, the environment and science. You’ll also have an opportunity to take a few additional elective courses that match your interests and career goals.

In addition to coursework, the MSJ program offers a variety of experiences that enable you to travel, gain additional skills, meet alumni and industry professionals, and plan for post-graduation.

We often add new courses and revise course content to remain at the forefront of the rapidly changing journalism and media landscape. As such, our courses are subject to change.

Quarter Overview

Quarter 1 (summer)

Take core MSJ courses:
Take Health and Science Seminar
Participate in Medill Fridays events, including speakers, interactive workshops, career-preparation seminars and community-building activities.

Quarter 2 (fall)

Take core MSJ course:
- Foundations of Interactive Journalism or Foundations of Video Journalism
Take MSJ courses:
- News Reporting
- Context Course
Take an elective. View sample elective courses on our MSJ curriculum page.
All students select a practicum site as part of the Science Reporting Seminar for a first-hand research experience at national laboratories, university labs, museums, national parks, alternative energy hubs, CERN, Earth and space observatories and many other options. Comer Scholars cover the latest global climate research at the Comer Climate Change Conference and contribute these stories to Medill’s Climate Change site and to other media.

Quarter 3 (winter)

Take Advanced Health and Sciences Reporting
Take two elective courses. View sample elective courses on our MSJ curriculum page.

Quarter 4 (spring)

Embed with scientific researchers for three to five to report on new research.
Take an elective course. View sample elective courses on our MSJ curriculum page.

Medill Explores (Quarter 3 or Quarter 4)

In either your third or fourth quarter, Medill will offer the Medill Explores course that includes a week of travel. Learn about different cultures and report from a new location.