Master’s of Arts Degree in Sports Journalism approved by Indiana Commission of Higher Education
March 12, 2010 12:20 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission of Higher Education on Friday approved what is believed to be the nation’s first master’s degree in sports journalism.
The Master of Arts Degree in Sports Journalism will be a 30-credit hour program housed at the Indiana University School of Journalism at IUPUI. It is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2010 semester.
The new sports journalism degree was approved unanimously by the Indiana University Board of Trustees in December.
“I’m grateful that the commission has cleared the way for IU to be the nation’s groundbreaker in offering a master’s degree in sports journalism,” said Tim Franklin, director of the National Sports Journalism Center and the Louis A. Weil, Jr. chair.
“This unique program will provide students who are serious about sports media with a full immersion, giving them the tools they need for careers in broadcast, digital, print or public relations.”
Prospective students should be able to apply online on the IUPUI Web site by the end of April.
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 2009, and it began a series of undergraduate courses at the IU-Bloomington and IUPUI campuses this past 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 will 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.
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.
“The IU School of Journalism at IUPUI now moves forward with our plans to be the place in the country to study sports journalism,” Brown said. “The newly approved Master’s expands our already developed undergraduate curriculum in sports journalism and public relations. The Master’s curriculum offers the most extensive array of sports courses in the country.
“Indianapolis, known as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World, provides unmatched resources for practical experience through internships with amateur and professional sports organizations.”
The Master of Arts Degree in Sports Journalism will be a 30-credit hour program housed at the Indiana University School of Journalism at IUPUI. It is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2010 semester.
The new sports journalism degree was approved unanimously by the Indiana University Board of Trustees in December.
“I’m grateful that the commission has cleared the way for IU to be the nation’s groundbreaker in offering a master’s degree in sports journalism,” said Tim Franklin, director of the National Sports Journalism Center and the Louis A. Weil, Jr. chair.
“This unique program will provide students who are serious about sports media with a full immersion, giving them the tools they need for careers in broadcast, digital, print or public relations.”
Prospective students should be able to apply online on the IUPUI Web site by the end of April.
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 2009, and it began a series of undergraduate courses at the IU-Bloomington and IUPUI campuses this past 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 will 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.
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.
“The IU School of Journalism at IUPUI now moves forward with our plans to be the place in the country to study sports journalism,” Brown said. “The newly approved Master’s expands our already developed undergraduate curriculum in sports journalism and public relations. The Master’s curriculum offers the most extensive array of sports courses in the country.
“Indianapolis, known as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World, provides unmatched resources for practical experience through internships with amateur and professional sports organizations.”
June 19th, 2011 at 3:29 am
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again!