10 Most Affordable Master’s in Journalism Online

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln confers an online cheap journalism master's degree that is the exact same program as the one taught on campus. Students who enroll in this 100 percent online degree will find that their professors are former journalists with years of experience under their belt. This degree was designed for working professionals who are ready to branch out into digital and new media journalism. This degree has a nearly fully customizable curriculum, with over half of the curriculum being made available for students to make their own specialization. This degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework and a professional journalism project for graduation. Sample courses include Seminar in Media Law, Media Management, and Multi-Platform Journalism.

The University of Alabama confers an online Master's in Journalism that was created for students who are eager to enhance their knowledge of the field as well as choosing a cognate area in which to focus their journalistic efforts in. There are four different cognate areas, including Writing and Reporting, Digital Media and Information, Entrepreneurialism and Management, and Social Science and Research for Journalism. Courses are delivered 100 percent online and through the asynchronous format; the entire program can be completed in less than two years by attending school part-time. Students will find that the majority of their curriculum is focused on their cognate area, enabling them to fully explore the field prior to graduation. This degree requires 31 credit hours of coursework and a professional project for graduation. Sample courses include History of Journalism and the First Amendments, Communication Research Methods, and Contemporary Issues in Journalism.

Professionals interested in an online Master's in journalism will want to check out Ball State University. The school's program can be found either 100 percent online or as a hybrid program; both programs are taught by nationally renown professors and journalists who will instruct students on a variety of different aspects that inform the field. Students will be able to choose between two concentrations: Media Analytics and Management or Reporting and Storytelling. The curriculum is designed so that the majority of the courses taken by a student are focused on their chosen concentration. Courses are delivered asynchronously online and can be completed in two years with full-time study. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework as well as a capstone project or research; a practicum is encouraged for pre-service professionals but it is not a requirement. Sample courses include Media Audiences and Content Strategy, Journalistic Judgments and Sociology of News, and Studies in Journalism and Communication Theory.

The University of South Florida at St. Petersburg confers an online Master's in Journalism that was designed to be completed in just one year with full-time study. Working professionals can complete all of the requirements in just 18 months. This degree focuses on new media in relation to journalism, teaching in-service and pre-service professionals about how digital journalism has changed the face of the field forever. This degree is accredited by the Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The curriculum allows students to tailor their program to their specific needs, including Social Media, Visual Communication, and Business Journalism. Students will be expected to complete at least 36 credit hours of coursework, a thesis or research project, and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include Mass Communications Theory, International Communication, and Race, Gender, and Class in Media.

The online Master's in Journalism conferred by the University of Memphis is an incredible opportunity for in-service and pre-service professionals. The degree is conferred entirely online through asynchronous courses and can be completed in as little as two years with part-time study. Students will be able to choose between four concentrations that will make up more than half of their entire curriculum; these concentrations include News and Storytelling, Integrated Strategic Media, Visual Media, or Research. Each concentration provides students with a wealth of knowledge that pertains to journalism. Most of the courses are also taught by established professionals in the field who have a long track record of excellence in their work. Students can expect to complete 33 credit hours of coursework and an applied journalism project for graduation. Sample courses include Introduction to Journalism and New Media, Ethics in Journalism, and Journalism and Narrative News.

Arizona State University confers an online journalism master's degree that is geared towards professionals who are interested in becoming business journalists. This degree is found entirely online; courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously with each course lasting just seven and a half weeks. This degree can be earned in as little as one year with part-time study. The curriculum is divided into business and journalism courses; students will learn how the business world operates and also how journalism reports on the business world. To earn a degree from ASU is a fantastic achievement indeed; the program is nationally renown for its various awards and is considered one of the top leading journalism schools in the country. Students can expect to complete 30 credit hours of coursework, all taught by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and professionals, and an applied project. Sample courses include Media Law, Data in Business Journalism, and Basics of Leading People, Teams and Organizations: Organization Theory.

Students interested in a journalism master's online degree need to take a look at Kent State University. This school offers a degree that prepares professionals to teach high school students journalism, continue their work as journalists, or even become editors and managers at professional media outlets. This degree offers seven concentrations, including Journalism Educators, Newspaper, and Broadcast. Students will find a 100 percent online degree that has a focus on research and applied projects. Because this is considered a professional degree in the field, students will be required to complete at least one research project or thesis prior to graduating from the program. Students will also be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Research Methods in Journalism and Mass Communication, Legal Problems in Mass Communication, and Advanced Broadcast News Reporting.

Regent University confers an online Master's in Journalism that is offered 100 percent through the school's virtual portal. This degree takes into account how traditional and new media play a role in both how a journalist does their job and how their audience may receive their work. This is a Christian-based degree that puts a spotlight on storytelling; students will learn how to craft a narrative from their reporting in order to keep their audience engaged in the story. Students will also learn how to get their work published by professional media outlets, how to be unbiased in their investigations, and how to use social media to the best of their ability. This degree requires at least 31 credit hours of coursework, a research project, a thesis, and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include News Writing and Reporting, Multimedia Reporting and Mobile Field Production, and Story, Popular Culture, and Worldview.

Students at Clarion University are offered a Master's in Journalism online degree that will help elevate any journalist's career prospects. This degree combines mass media and journalism with a well-rounded curriculum that helps journalists understand how much the internet has changed the field. This degree is available 100 percent online with asynchronous courses and can be completed in as little as 18 months. The program focuses on research, law, and reporting, all of which are necessary for journalists who are moving into new media. This degree also teaches students about the communication process and public relations, ensuring that they understand how their journalism work may be received by their audience. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or research project prior to graduation. Sample courses include Management of the Communication Process, Advanced Public Relations Writing, and Society, Law, and Media Technology.

Harvard Extension School provides an excellent online Master's in Journalism that is provided by one of the country's top schools. Now it's available as a hybrid program; while professionals can take most of their courses online, Harvard requires students take residency for one course on campus. Students will be expected to complete two courses related to the degree prior to applying for the program; this ensures that they are dedicated to the program. There is also an option within the curriculum to specialize in a field of journalism, such as politics or crime; there are a significant amount of graduate certificates that can be earned this way, which may be useful for a pre-service or in-service professional. Students will also find that the program is customizable; once the core curriculum is completed, they can choose the majority of their electives, which make up more than half of the curriculum. The degree, which is 36 credit hours in length, is completed once a student finishes a significant journalism project; this includes a portfolio and published work. Sample courses for this degree include Feature Writing, The Constitution and the Media, News Reporting for the Web, Print, and other platforms.