National Sports Journalism Center

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana University Board of Trustees unanimously has approved what is believed to be the nation’s first master’s degree in sports journalism.

The Master of Arts Degree in Sports Journalism would be a 30-credit hour program housed at the Indiana University School of Journalism at IUPUI. The program would begin in the Fall 2010 semester.

The new sports journalism degree still must be approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The commission likely will make a decision on the new sports journalism degree within the next three to four months.

The new master’s degree is part of a larger effort to make the Indiana University School of Journalism the home of America’s most comprehensive sports media program. The school launched the National Sports Journalism Center in January, and it began a series of undergraduate courses at the IU-Bloomington and IUPUI campuses this fall.

The Associated Press Sports Editors, the nation’s largest professional sports journalism organization, announced in May that it would be headquartered at the center. And in September, the center launched a comprehensive Web site with breaking news, information and commentary on the sports media industry.

The degree program would prepare graduates for sports journalism positions in traditional mass media organizations, as well as in new media outlets locally, nationally and internationally.

There would be courses offered in digital sports journalism, sports broadcasting and sports writing. Students also would receive instruction on the business of sports media, sports law, coverage of amateur athletics and sports public relations.

“Our goal is to be the nation’s premier sports media center, and having the nation’s first master’s degree in sports journalism would take us closer to that objective,” said Tim Franklin, director of the National Sports Journalism Center and the Louis A. Weil, Jr. chair. “I’m grateful to the IU Board of Trustees and my colleagues for their support. The sports industry in Indianapolis is huge, and it’s a dynamic field nationally. This would give students cutting-edge instruction and experience that would prepare them well for their careers."

Prospective students likely would be drawn primarily from two arenas: graduating seniors who seek to pursue graduate work, as well as professionals with varied life experiences.

James W. Brown, the executive associate dean of the School of Journalism at IUPUI, said Indianapolis is the perfect location for a master’s in sports journalism, because of all of the national sports organizations based in the city. Indianapolis is the home of the NCAA, the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Federation of High School Associations, the Black Coaches Association, USA Gymnastics, USA Track & Field, USA Diving, U.S. Synchronized Swimming, the Indy Racing League, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever, among others.

“I am delighted the Indiana University Board of Trustees approved our proposal for a Master’s in Sports Journalism," Brown said. "This new degree will make maximum use of the amateur and professional sports organizations in Indianapolis and nationally. The programs of our National Sports Journalism Center, headed by Tim Franklin, have already brought national attention to the IU School of Journalism and to IUPUI and have generated requests for graduate studies.

"The graduate academic curriculum, co-developed by Franklin and Pam Laucella, promises to be the most extensive program with a focus on sports journalism and is a welcome complement to our undergraduate track in sports journalism. Indiana University is the place to study sports journalism.”