Medill Investigative Lab
In the Medill Investigative Lab specialization, you learn to think, research and write like an investigative reporter and publish groundbreaking stories.
About the specialization
Through the Medill Investigative Lab specialization, you will learn by doing and practicing the skills you will need to become an investigative reporter. You will collaborate with a team to determine story topics, learn about researching and interviewing, and then compile stories that shed light on critical issues of our time. Your work may be published in a variety of outlets—including major outlets such as The Washington Post—and these clips will form the basis for your portfolio, demonstrating your real-world journalism experience.
Visit Medill Investigative Lab Website
Medill Investigative Lab starts in the summer quarter. It is an exclusive opportunity that is only available to 10 master's students each year. You will spend the first two quarters in Chicago, and the next two quarters at Medill's campus in Washington, D.C.
Why Medill Investigative Lab?
There’s no shortage of news on this beat. Professional journalists who succeed in investigative reporting win Pulitzer Prizes, change laws and improve people’s lives. You will work side-by-side with veteran journalists on investigations of national importance. The investigative skills you learn in this specialization will serve you well in your career no matter what area of journalism you pursue.
What will I learn?
Inside the classroom, you’ll examine investigative reporting within a framework of history, theory and ethics. This context will provide the background you need to pursue stories that matter. You will learn how to find and research important investigative stories, particularly how to obtain public records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and how to dig deep into data. You will develop skills in sourcing, interviewing and data visualization. You will learn in real-time, working side-by-side with award-winning investigative reporters.
Applying to the specialization
Given the competitive nature and limited spots of the Medill Investigative Lab (MIL) specialization, you may be admitted to the MSJ program but not MIL. In this case, you would be considered for your second choice specialization and placed on a waitlist for MIL.