Master of Arts Program in Medical Journalism

UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication


Program Director: Tom Linden, M.D.

The aim of the Master of Arts Program in Medical Journalism is to teach the skills needed to work as a practicing medical journalist in both print and electronic media. Students will also gain the knowledge and background necessary to pursue further research in medical journalism.

 
For more information on the Master of Arts 
Program in Medical Journalism:

Dr. Ruth Walden
Director of Graduate Studies
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
CB #3365, Carroll Hall
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365

email:  jomcgrad@email.unc.edu
phone: (919) 962-3372
application: http://gradschool.unc.edu/adm.html

January 1, 2001 deadline for fall 2001 admission
 


Mission

The overall mission of the program is to educate journalists so that they can communicate the wonders and complexities of science and medicine in ways that capture the imaginations of viewers, listeners and readers. Competent medical journalists are needed to provide a bridge between the scientist and the consumer.


Who Should Apply

The program would be of interest to both journalists and health professionals who:


Requirements

Master's students in medical journalism must earn at least 30 graduate-level credits (10 courses numbered 100 or above) including credits for a thesis or special project. Course requirements are divided into five categories: basic journalism and mass communication competency, core medical journalism courses, related public health courses and other pertinent courses, core journalism and mass communication courses, and advanced journalism and mass communication courses. Master's students in medical journalism must also take an appropriate elective journalism course, at least at the 100 level, in a professional area other than medical journalism.

Basic Journalism and Mass Communication Competency

All master's students must pass the School's spelling and grammar examination by the end of their first semester. This is a basic requirement for graduation for undergraduate students and normally poses no major problem for graduate students. Information on the spelling and grammar examination, including instructions on how to study for it, is included in the orientation packet sent to new students each summer. All master's students in medical journalism must either test out of JOMC 53 ("Newswriting") at the beginning of their first semester, or take the course that semester.

Core Medical Journalism Courses

Students must take the following medical journalism courses offered in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication:
 

After successfully passing JOMC 195, students must then take the following course:
 


Related Public Health Courses and Other Pertinent Courses

All master's students must take three courses outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. One of these courses must be from the following courses offered by the School of Public Health:

In addition, students must take a third course outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in a pertinent discipline. The course must be approved by the director of the program in medical journalism.

Master's students in medical journalism must also take one other JOMC course at the 100 level or above, or a 100-level course outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with the approval of the director of the Program in Medical Journalism.

Core Journalism and Mass Communication Courses

All master's students must take the following journalism and mass communication courses:

If the student makes an "L" in either course, he or she must pass a comprehensive examination during the second semester. If the student fails the exam, he or she will be allowed to retake the course. If the student again makes an "L," he or she will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Advanced Journalism and Mass Communication Courses

All master's students must also take the following 300-level courses:

Thesis, Project or Articles

Master's students in medical journalism have the option of writing a thesis or doing a nonthesis project. Examples of such a nonthesis project include preparing a broadcast-quality television or radio report; writing a series of medical journalism articles suitable for publication in a magazine, newspaper or Web-based format; or preparing a medical journalism multimedia project, among others.

Length of Program

Students will complete the master's program in two years by attending classes full-time during the first three consecutive semesters and then completing the thesis or nonthesis project during the fourth semester. There is no provision for part-time students in the master's program in medical journalism.

Graduate Committee

Students select a three-member advisory committee. Headed by the director of the medical journalism program or another appropriate professor who serves as the student's adviser, the committee acts as a resource as well as referee of the thesis or nonthesis project. One member of the committee should be from outside the School, preferably from a health- or science-related discipline.