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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 to different cities and countries, gain additional skills, meet alumni and industry professionals, and plan for post-graduation.

Quarter Overview

Quarter 1 (summer)

Quarter 2 (fall)

  • Take core MSJ course:
  • Take MSJ courses:
    • News Reporting
    • Context Course
      • Framed: Media and the Marginalized, or
      • The Permanent Campaign: Politics and Social Policy
  • Take a specialization-specific course:
    • Intro to Health and Science Journalism
  • Participate in Medill Fridays events, including speakers, interactive workshops, career-preparation seminars and community-building activities.
  • 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
    • This course is part of Medill Explores. Travel domestically or internationally with students in your specialization to learn about health, environment and science reporting in other geographies.
    • This course also often takes students on field research trips to national labs, conferences and major media hubs such as The New York Times.
  • Take two elective courses. View sample elective courses on our MSJ curriculum page.
  • Participate in Medill Fridays events, including speakers, interactive workshops, career-preparation seminars and community-building activities.

Quarter 4 (spring)

Optional Quarter 5 (summer)

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