Graduate & Professional Degrees

The program of study that leads to the Master of Social Work degree consists of 60 units. The program is available at these locations:

• University Park Campus (campus-based and some online classes)
• Virtual Academic Center (VAC) (all online classes via the Internet)

The MSW program can be completed in a full-time (four semesters) program or part-time/extended (five or more semesters) program. 

The basic generalist curriculum introduces students to the range of social welfare problems and programs, and to the varieties of human behavior with which social work is concerned. At the same time, students learn the methods by which the social worker, the social agency and the organized community work with people and problems. Practicum instruction, under supervision in a social agency, is scheduled for two or three days a week for most students, enabling students to apply theory to practice. All content areas include content on social work values and ethics, advocacy and populations at risk. At the completion of foundation requirements, students are expected to have acquired a sense of professional responsibility and the ability to use knowledge on behalf of the individual, the group and the community.

This curriculum is organized around three specializations:

1. Children, Youth and Families (CYF)
2. Adult Mental Health and Wellness (AMHW)
3. Social Change and Innovation (SCI)

Students will select one of these specializations upon completion of the generalist curriculum, take required courses and electives focused on their chosen specializations. Students take six required specialization courses, a required diversity course, and three electives focused on the student's individual interests.

Specific course content includes:

This specialization prepares students to address the needs of children, youth and families from the earliest years of childhood through adolescence and the transition to adulthood. Course work focuses on promoting wellness and preventing trauma, as well as which kinds of service programs are showing the best results for families from a variety of groups. Students are trained to serve families in a variety of service settings, including health, mental health, early education, schools, child welfare and juvenile justice.

Adult Mental Health and Wellness (AMHW)

This specialization is focused on enhancing the health and well-being of younger and older adults within families, agencies, institutions, communities and other environments. The curriculum offers course work in mental health and substance use, integrated primary and behavioral health care, wellness and recovery, promotion of healthy aging, social welfare policy, and program and policy evaluation and analysis.

Social Change and Innovation (SCI):

This specialization prepares students to lead bold, large-scale solutions to social problems and drive positive change in organizations, businesses and government agencies. Students can customize their learning experience by taking courses on social change, advocacy, organizational planning and development, workplace interventions, military social work, and evaluation research. 

This system of curriculum offerings provides a strong educational program with a continuing commitment to a generalist base and a focused set of specialized content, in combination with a range of options to meet special interests. This program enables graduates to move into the social work community with a combination of knowledge and skills in a broad arena, as well as in-depth knowledge and skills in both practice methods and a specific client population, setting or system.

The curriculum builds on a liberal arts foundation that all entering students are required to have. The applicant should have a range of undergraduate courses in the humanities and the social and physical sciences.

General Requirements

The Master of Social Work degree requires a minimum of 60 semester units of courses, including practicum education.

The degree is not awarded solely on the basis of credits earned but also requires evidence of competence in both theory and practice. At their discretion, the faculty may require courses or practicum work or both beyond the minimum requirements.

Time Limit

For most students, the master's degree program will be completed in four semesters of full-time study.

Grade Point Average Requirement

A grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) is required for admission to the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. In some instances, applicants with less than 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission through a special review. An overall GPA of 3.0 for graduation from the master's degree program.

With the enrollment of a small group of highly qualified experienced social workers, the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work established the first social work doctoral program in the Western United States in 1953. Over the years, the school has continued the tradition of providing opportunities for learning in small classes, seminars and tutorials.

The major goal of the doctoral program in social work is to produce social work scholars who will have the capacity to make valuable and significant contributions to the knowledge base of the profession. Students acquire the skills necessary to become professional scholars and develop a significant capacity for professional leadership. Toward this end, the school is committed to pursuing excellence in education with persons of definite promise and to seeking gifted students.

Through training in specific areas, graduates of the program develop theoretical, conceptual, critical and analytic skills which can be applied to social, organizational, interpersonal and personal problems. They emerge from the program with substantive knowledge and analytic skills that enable them to contribute to understanding social problems and ways of solving them. With these skills, they are able to take a disciplined approach to the issues confronting the profession of social work and the field of social welfare and are prepared to make a significant contribution to the research and scholarship that informs society's effort to improve the human condition.

The PhD program in social work is administered by the Doctoral Committee of the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in accordance with the policies set by the Graduate School. The requirements listed below are special to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must meet the following requirements:

1. A master's degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or from another field related to social work.
2. Academic promise, as evidenced by above average achievement in undergraduate and professional education and a personal statement outlining the applicant's scholarly goals.
3. Professional competence as demonstrated through substantial experience in responsible social work, internships or other positions either during or subsequent to the master's program.
4. Personal qualities compatible with performance in social work and indicating a potential for leadership in the field: skill in relationships, flexibility and openness to new ideas, maturity, identification with the profession of social work, and commitment to furthering the development of the profession.
5. Satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for all international students prior to the date of application. Existing test scores are valid and may be submitted if the TOEFL or IELTS has been completed no more than two years of your intended first term at USC. For example, no earlier than August 1 two years prior if applying for the fall term. Information may be obtained from the USC Center for Testing and Assessment, 3501 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089-4354, (213) 740-1188.
6. Submission of application materials as required. Instructions for application to the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work program are available online only at: sowkweb.usc.edu/admissions/doctor-of-philosophy/application-process

Under unusual circumstances, applications from persons who do not meet these requirements, including those who have just been awarded the MSW degree, will be considered. In cases where the MSW (or its equivalent) has recently been granted and the applicant does not have the prerequisite post-master's degree employment experience, it may be required that such experience be acquired concurrent with enrollment in the doctoral program.

Under very unusual circumstances, applications to the doctoral program in social work will be considered from those who do not hold the MSW or an equivalent degree. Such applicants, in order to be admitted to the program, must have a master's degree (or its equivalent) in a field related to social work and a demonstrated commitment to the field of social work as evidenced by substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the profession. Admission decisions on applicants who do not hold an MSW or equivalent degree will be made by the full Doctoral Program Committee of the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work rather than by a subcommittee of that body.

Priority will be given to applications that are completed by December 1.

Application Procedure

All applicants to the doctoral program must submit the following information: (1) graduate admission application using the university's online system; (2) statement of purpose which is submitted as part of the online application; (3) current resume which is uploaded as part of the online application; (4) all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, upload unofficial transcripts which is part of the online application until USC Office of Graduate Admission receives the official sealed transcripts sent directly from the institution(s); (5) four letters of reference, at least three of which are from persons who can assess the student's scholarly potential; (6) recent TOEFL or IELTS scores; (7) documented evidence of financial support is required of all international applicants; (8) PhD supplemental information which is part of the online application; (9) career plans and goals which is part of the online application and (10) scholarly writing sample which is uploaded as part of the online application. 

Foreign Language/Research/English Language Requirements

There is no foreign language requirement for the PhD degree. Competence in advanced research methodology and statistics is required through satisfactory completion of required courses. All international students are required to submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores from a test date prior to application and to meet university requirements for teaching.

The Social Work Practice in Addiction certificate is intended to guide specialized practice with individuals and communities affected by substance use. Course work applied to this certificate incorporates theories and models regarding the prevention, etiology and treatment of substance use disorders and related issues and the level of empirical evidence that exists for each. They draw on theory, assessment, diagnosis and treatment goals to select and implement evidence-supported interventions regarding substance use and associated problems for individuals and families. Content focuses on the intersection of physical and mental health issues with substance use, and understanding the interplay of substance use and associated behaviors that may require complex intervention strategies. Social workers consider pertinent theory; client characteristics; intersecting health, mental health and addiction issues; client motivation and readiness for change; and client needs and desires to implement best interventions in accordance with their goals and available resources. Substance use treatment and current evidence-supported interventions, including medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies. This certificate will enable graduates to work with clients to enhance the quality of individual, family and community well-being in order to facilitate recovery.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers university certificates that provide students advanced practice or research training through a social change and intercultural competence lens that emphasizes community advocacy. Certificates are designed to complement and deepen training provided through our degree programs by focusing on experiential application of concepts in relation to particular client populations, settings, and systems. Each certificate consists of at least 12 units, which may in part be satisfied by courses completed for a degree program. Certificates are also available to graduate students from other disciplines and to employed professionals.

Note: courses used to satisfy a requirement cannot be double counted to satisfy a second requirement.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 60 graduate units is necessary for the PhD, among which are the following required courses: SOCI 500, SOCI 510, SOCI 520, SOCI 521, SOCI 511, and SOCI 621 or 620. In addition, each student must specialize in two subareas of sociology and must take at least 8 units in each area such as: urban sociology, complex organizations, stratification, ethnic relations, sociology of aging, medical sociology, communication and culture, deviance, sociology of gender, demography, and so on.

Screening Procedure

Normally, students must complete the screening procedure during the third semester of enrollment. Students will have completed two full semesters of work by this point and, hence, will have taken no fewer than 16 and no more than 32 units, including at least the following: SOCI 500, SOCI 510 and SOCI 511. Students are evaluated on subject matter competence and satisfactory progress. When the screening procedure is successfully completed, the student has one semester in which to form a qualifying exam committee.

Empirical Paper

Each student is required to complete an independent empirical research project that is approved by two members of his or her qualifying exam committee. In some instances, this requirement may be met by acceptance of a satisfactory master's thesis from some other university.

Foreign Language Requirement

The department does not generally require proficiency in a foreign language; however, as with other courses outside the department, a student's qualifying exam committee may in some cases require proficiency in a foreign language.

Qualifying Examinations

Following the completion of their empirical papers and most of their course work, students are required to take a written and oral examination in their two standard areas. If the written examination is passed, the oral part of the examination can be devoted to a preliminary discussion of dissertation plans. When these are completed successfully, the student is advanced to PhD candidacy.

Dissertation

After the dissertation is completed, the student and the dissertation committee, in conjunction with the department chair, may elect either a defense oral or a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation. The defense oral is normally chosen in sociology.

Allen Hancock Foundation Building B55
(213) 740-5910
FAX: (213) 740-9687
Email: spatialsciences@dornsife.usc.edu

Director: John P. Wilson, PhD 

The Graduate Certificate in Spatial Analytics requires 12 units of graduate work and provides doctoral students with an opportunity to learn about the fundamental guiding principles (i.e. spatial cognition, positioning, spatial representations and data models, map projections and datums, modifiable unit area problems, remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling techniques and cartographic principles) and a series of rapidly evolving geospatial technologies that take advantage of the Cloud and the Web as well as advances in analytical techniques, modeling tools and online data sources.

Course Requirements

Twelve units of graduate work are required.

Program Director (Spatial Sciences): John P. Wilson, PhD

The Master of Science in Spatial Data Science is a cross-disciplinary joint degree program offered by the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Students must be admitted by both the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Geospatial data accessibility, spatial decision support systems and geospatial problem solving environments are revolutionizing most industries and disciplines, including health care, marketing, social services, human security, education, environmental sustainability and transportation. Spatial data science professionals draw upon engineering, computer science and spatial sciences principles to solve data-intensive, large-scale, location-based problems.

The USC Master of Science in Spatial Data Science provides students with the knowledge and skills to:

• Understand and contribute toward the significant technical and societal challenges created by large location-based data environments, including their architecture, security, integrity, management and scalability.
• Understand how spatial data can be acquired and used to support various forms of analysis, modeling and geo-visualization in large data environments.
• Understand how artificial intelligence, machine learning and data mining can be used to augment the typical geographic information science (GIS) concepts and workflows to intelligently mine data to provide enterprise-centric solutions for a variety of societal challenges and issues spanning the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Students complete a core set of courses to provide a foundation in information engineering, spatial analysis and thinking with their choice of electives to optimize preparation for their preferred career path and unique professional opportunities.

Students will understand the overall field of data science, the role of the analyst and/or data scientist and the domains where spatial data science skills can be applied to critical organization missions. They will understand how data management, data visualization and artificial intelligence techniques (specifically data mining and machine learning) are critical to the spatial analysis process and how these can be applied to real world challenges. Throughout their course work, students will assemble a digital portfolio of work product that is intended to help them demonstrate their capabilities and skills for the job market.

The curriculum is designed to be accessible to students with any background, including students with a geography background and no computer science knowledge as well as students with a computer science background and no geography knowledge. Students with undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, science or mathematics will acquire the necessary knowledge to analyze spatial data with diverse sources and purposes, and can request to replace introductory data science courses with more advanced ones. Students with undergraduate degrees in geography, geographic information science (GIS) and related disciplines will acquire formal and practical data science skills, and can request to substitute introductory courses in the spatial core with more advanced ones. There is no requirement of prior knowledge of programming or computer science, as the curriculum is designed with special introductory courses that are accessible to students with diverse backgrounds.

For information refer to the Spatial Sciences Institute.

The online and residential MS in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis program integrates economics with a robust spatial sciences curriculum, fostering collaboration with distinguished faculty from USC's Department of Economics and the Spatial Sciences Institute within the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The program is designed to explore business opportunities and address public policy challenges through the strategic application of location-based Big Data, drawing upon insights from geographic information science (GIS), urban economics, and spatial econometrics.

Spanning two years, the MS in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis entails the completion of 32 units, distributed across 8 courses, each typically valued at 4 units. Half of these units (16) are derived from a specialized curriculum dedicated to enhancing spatial awareness and understanding, while the remaining 16 units involve graduate-level coursework within the Department of Economics.

This rigorous quantitative curriculum equips students with the analytical tools to apply economic theory to practical challenges, facilitating the synthesis of data and theoretical frameworks into actionable solutions. As the prominence of spatial Big Data continues to rise, there is a growing demand for professionals who can effectively translate real-time spatial and economic analyses into informed recommendations across diverse domains.

The online certificate in Spatial Sciences for Global Health provides interdisciplinary training in key aspects of global public health and spatial sciences methodologies that can be used to improve public health. Training is aimed at professionals in or seeking data analyst positions in public health, including within the private and public sectors, such as government agencies, United Nations agencies, consulting firms and research institutions. Participants will be introduced to key trends in global health, core concepts and methods of planning and implementing health-related research and programs in resource-constrained settings, and the application of spatial sciences concepts, methodologies and software programs that can be used to address global public health challenges. Online courses are taken through the Keck School of Medicine (8 units) and the Spatial Sciences Institute at USC Dornsife College (8 units). The program can be completed in as few as three semesters or over the course of three years.

Applicants for the certificate must make a formal application for admission to the certificate program and provide transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (if applicable), a resume and a statement of purpose. The GRE is not required. 

This certificate program can serve as a possible “stepping stone” toward the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. Up to 12 units may be applied toward both the certificate and the core or electives in the MPH. Note that students must apply and be admitted to the MPH program and must earn a grade of “B” or better in a course to be eligible to transfer that course toward the degree program. Completion of the certificate does not automatically guarantee admission to the MPH program.

The certificate in Spatial Sciences for Global Health is also open to students who are currently enrolled in another graduate program at USC and are in good standing with a 3.0 GPA. These students only need to submit the appropriate paperwork, which may be obtained from the student services adviser, and pay associated tuition costs for adding the certificate program.

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) comprises two separate and distinct journalism concentrations – one focusing on the arts and the other on food. These journalism disciplines begin at the same place of origin with a seven-week, 3-unit summer digital immersion course, and join forces for one required course in the fall. After that they go their separate ways, each required to take the same number of units, including a 2-unit commitment to a thesis project in each of the fall and spring semesters.

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) is primarily geared toward the experienced journalist, and yet it also, with no less parity, welcomes the amateur. What must be demonstrated prior to acceptance is a strong record of interest and competence in a subject area. For the arts, this spans the critical environments of film, television, music, theatre, dance, literature, architecture and visual arts. We welcome artists with a solid background and/or arts conservatory training who express sincere commitment to wanting to learn the journalism practice and skills to tell compelling stories. The arts master's students' electives will primarily be taken at one or more of USC's arts schools. For food MA students, a demonstrable knowledge about food, and a socio-political understanding and curiosity about the places where food intersects with culture is expected.

For both concentrations, the emphasis is on culture: arts and culture; food and culture. This program is multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial. The university is a laboratory for experimentation, enlisting the skills of professional artists, journalists, economists, technologists, entrepreneurs, alumni and citizens to welcome students of varied experience and omnivorous interests. Print, online, audio, video and social media are practiced and taught in this program with equal opportunity.

Students will complete 21-23 units of specialized journalism course work, including a master's professional project and 7-9 units of approved elective course work from faculty-recommended lists. For those on the arts journalism track, other electives must be in at least two arts schools ideally with at least 8 units from one school. The arts schools are Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts and Music.

Students must begin the program in summer term, enrolling in a required 3-unit intensive summer session course focused on journalism and society and digital media. In addition to the formal classes, the course includes discussions, workshops and field reporting. This gateway course provides master's students with a working knowledge of the specialized journalism background and the multimedia and digital storytelling skills necessary for study in the program. It sets the stage for two semesters of access to courses as substantively broad as a major research university such as USC makes available. Students also take media law, one required writing course and another required in audio in the summer. 

In the fall semester, arts journalism students will enroll in an arts reporting and online magazine production seminar and a narrative writing practicum. In the spring, arts journalism students will enroll in an arts reporting and online magazine production seminar.

In the fall semester, food journalism students will enroll in a food journalism course focusing on Los Angeles and California and a course on food media and culture. In the spring semester, food journalism students will enroll in reporting on global issues course and a food narrative writing course. 

With the advice of their academic adviser and faculty mentors, students will select elective course work appropriate to their fields of specialization. These courses will be drawn from regular graduate and 400-level courses taught across 14 of the university's schools and within the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Students also will begin research for their master's professional project. These projects may be full-length magazine (print, audio, broadcast and/or multimedia) treatments of issues in their field or similar professional work. 

The 11-month program has been designed for a summer, fall and spring semester enrollment cycle; however, students also may elect to complete the program on a part-time basis with the approval of the director of the School of Journalism, but must start with the intensive summer course.

Studies toward the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (the Arts) require 30 units of prescribed courses and approved electives. No more than 9 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture).

Residence

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism can be completed in an 11-month enrollment cycle that includes the four-week summer session, plus the fall and spring semesters. These programs may be attended on a part-time basis.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements

There is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master's degree.

Master's Thesis

MA in Specialized Journalism students normally enroll in JOUR 594a (2 units) and JOUR 594b (2 units) in their single year of study.

For complete admission requirements refer to the section on the School of Journalism page.

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism is a program geared toward experienced journalists seeking subject matter expertise and toward experienced professionals in other fields seeking journalism skills to advance their expertise. The program is also open to recent School of Journalism graduates with records of excellence in their university classes and internships and a demonstrated aptitude and commitment to developing an expertise in a specialized field of reporting.

In the SJ program, award-winning, experienced journalists guide students toward publication in professional outlets, generating "impact journalism" that makes a difference.  Students are encouraged to explore documentary, investigative, and narrative journalism genres through a range of specialties and disciplines, including international reporting, social justice journalism and reporting on religion, climate change, sports, entertainment and other subjects. Under the guidance of faculty advisers, and with a wide range of electives for study throughout the university, students craft their own unique master's degree.

Students must begin the program in summer term, enrolling in a required 3-unit, intensive session course focused on journalism and society and on digital media. In addition to the formal classes, the course includes multimedia skills workshops. This gateway course provides the master's students with a working knowledge of the specialized journalism and the multimedia storytelling skills necessary for study in the program. Students also are required take a 2-unit class in media law and a 1-credit course in narrative nonfiction in the summer. These classes set the stage for two semesters of access to courses as substantively broad as a major research university such as USC makes available and for advanced courses in the School of Journalism's graduate program.

In the fall semester, students will enroll in the required "Power of Narrative" and "Critical Thinking" courses for journalists in the School of Journalism. They will also select from one of the reporting tracks or reporting platforms. With the advice of their academic adviser and faculty mentors, students will select elective course work appropriate to their fields of specialization. These courses will be drawn from regular graduate and 400-level courses taught in Annenberg or across the university. Students also will begin research for their master's professional project. Thesis topics must be approved in advance by faculty. These projects will be extended works of journalism, such as a full-length magazine article, similar radio, television or multimedia treatments or the equivalent in their professional field. In addition, students will choose one or more concentrations from the available reporting tracks and platforms. These include additional required classes of a minimum of three units each.

In the spring semester, students will enroll in approved electives. Students will also enroll in elective course work, depending on their chosen concentration, selected again from offerings across the university and in consultation with their faculty mentors. Finally, students will complete their master's professional project.

Reporting Tracks

Race and Social Justice

Develop the skills, critical thinking and expertise to report on the ongoing struggles over race, equality and justice in America. Students will deepen their understanding of the struggle for racial equality and justice through the study of critical theories of race, the lived experiences of journalists of color in newsrooms, and the history and coverage of race and justice in California and beyond. Students will understand the way history, global discourses, newsroom dynamics and technological change are shaping foundational social issues, forming practical knowledge of how race manifests in and shapes reporting in the media today. Students will apply these ideas in the service of producing compelling, deeply-reported stories on race and justice, for publication in local, national, and international media outlets. 

Sports and Society

Tap into Annenberg's vast resources to produce deeply- informed, socially-aware sports journalism in LA and around the world. USC Annenberg's location in downtown Los Angeles positions students at the hub Southern California's sports media landscape, close to major networks and digital outlets. Students cover the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Kings, Rams, Chargers and Sparks, plus top-level college athletics and Olympic competition. Annenberg faculty have built unparalleled relationships across multiple media platforms and including athletes, coaches and content creators. Students produce on-site field reporting, write longer-form and investigative sports stories, and meet leaders and executives from the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. Students will also learn the social, political and economic context of sports in American society and culture, equipping them with the tools for both top-notch reporting and critical analysis in a rapidly changing, global sports media environment.

Entertainment and Pop Culture

Go beyond the red carpet to produce deeply reported stories on the culture, social impact, ethics and economics of entertainment and pop culture. Entertainment journalism has a profound impact on how people view politics, government, race, gender and international affairs. With Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, as the backdrop, students will be steeped in the content, social impact, history, ethics and economics of entertainment and pop culture reporting in the United States and the world. Building on this understanding, and critical skills of research, interviewing, writing and production, students will produce groundbreaking reporting on journalism and pop culture. And, they will be introduced to key players, leaders and celebrities, to understand and challenge those who are making decisions that are having an impact on our lives. 

Religion

Through Annenberg's Knight Chair in Media and Religion, explore the intersection among religion, politics and culture to write complex stories reported domestically and internationally. Religion plays a crucial role in domestic politics and international relations. Spirituality – the individual search for meaning – shapes our sense of self and our orientation to the world. Report on what gives nations, communities and individuals meaning, identity and purpose whether through arts and entertainment, sports, climate concern, racial justice, politics or humanitarian outreach. Each year, the class travels abroad for an immersive reporting experience focused on religion, politics and culture in countries such as India, Indonesia, South Korea and Israel/Palestine.  

International

Combine on-location global reporting through Annenberg with study of international issues across USC, to build top-notch international reporting expertise. To report on the world, you must know the world. Students who opt to specialize in international reporting explore international relations, public policy, religion, health, immigration and environmental studies across the university in tandem with their journalism courses at USC Annenberg. Students have traveled to and reported from countries like Greece, Ireland and Indonesia. As an extension of their coursework, students have also partnered with various media organizations like The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Daily Beast and Public Radio International to have their stories published.

Climate

Work with top climate journalists and experts in science and public policy to build top-notch climate reporting expertise. From devastating hurricanes to annual record-breaking heat waves, from "sunny-day floods" in southern Florida to the annual new normal of a California on fire, climate change has reached deep into the American landscape, its economy, politics, even its collective psyche. With these effects has come new awareness, and an urgency to tackle the problem. Never has there been such a need for an original, compelling and accurate accounting of the threat of climate change, and the promise of constructive measures to address it. Students will sharpen their expertise in climate science and social policy, and consider agriculture, water and food sustainability, while producing groundbreaking narrative, documentary and investigative reporting on a central issue of our time.

Reporting Platforms

Documentary

Report beyond the news through in-depth storytelling and analyses of issues you are passionate about, and contextualize them for a broader audience. The documentary sequence at USC Annenberg provides an opportunity to report beyond the news. You have the opportunity do in-depth analyses of stories that you are passionate about and learn ways to contextualize them for a broader audience. Completed docs are eligible for publication on Impact, a student-produced series that is featured on the Annenberg Media website, and is broadcast by Spectrum News1, L.A.'s 24-hour news channel. You will learn advanced ideas centering on visual literacy, production, techniques to manage large amounts of content, and organized approaches to building documentaries for multi-platform distribution. These are skills that translate to all aspects of journalism.

Data and Innovation

Enhance new forms of storytelling, develop smarter platforms to deliver news, explore techniques in data mining and work on new business models to increase the value of journalistic content. Journalism is at the midst of a bold transformation. The Data and Innovation track is designed for students who are seeking to embrace the technologies that have opened up new frontiers for the profession and to capitalize on this moment by charting the next phase of the communications revolution. Students work closely with leading players in the industry to: (1) enhance new forms of storytelling; (2) develop smarter platforms to deliver news; (3) improve reporting techniques and data mining; and (4) work on new business models to increase the value of journalistic content.

Podcasting and Audio

Explore the power of audio storytelling through advanced production and mixing techniques, narrative point of view, and the history, economics and journalistic range of the podcast. The Audio and Podcasting track gives students grounding in the production and business of podcasting as an outlet for their journalistic work. Students will explore the power of audio storytelling, from classic public radio-style productions to innovative and experimental podcasts. They will learn advanced production and mixing techniques, narrative point of view and the history, economics and journalistic range of the podcast. They will develop a discerning ear for quality audio content and the best practices for effective oral communication. Course work will also expose students to non-production aspects of podcasting such as branding, marketing, distribution, analytics, monetization and legal issues.   

Investigative

USC Annenberg is seeking students and early-career journalists of exceptional promise who aspire to journalism's highest calling: producing stories that expose harm, wrongdoing, abuse of power. Stories that matter. Building on the work of the Beacon Project, profiled in The New York Times, you will work on a major investigative project under the mentorship of award-winning journalists who will help place deserving stories in professional news outlets. You will learn how to find documents most reporters would not even think to look for; persuade reluctant or hostile sources to reveal their secrets; obtain and analyze data; protect your sources with digital-security savvy and counter-surveillance techniques; bulletproof your stories against libel actions and write compelling stories for text, audio or video.

Narrative

Immerse yourself in myriad ways of nonfiction and longform storytelling, learning from award-winning authors and magazine writers the best ways to produce compelling narrative journalism. Top narrative journalists will show you how to cut through the crowded content landscape to tell the stories that matter. In the narrative track, you will learn nonfiction storytelling techniques across a range of styles and interests of your choice – from the arts to religion and social justice issues, from climate reporting to sports and entertainment – to tell the stories that matter. In the process, you will examine fundamental principles embedded in all good narrative journalism: in-depth, empathetic, and creative storytelling. Work that makes a difference. Here you will learn how to create the "journalism of the heart" – groundbreaking, deeply-reported, humane storytelling that bears witness to the world around us.

The 11-month program has been designed for a fall and spring semester enrollment cycle; however, students may also elect to complete the program over a longer time span on a part-time basis, but must start with the intensive summer course.

Studies toward the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism require 30 units of prescribed courses and approved electives. No more than 10 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism.

Residence

The Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism can be completed in an 11-month enrollment cycle that includes the seven-week summer session, plus the fall and spring semesters. These programs may be attended on a part-time basis.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements

There is no foreign language or research tool requirement for the master's degree.

Master's Thesis

MA in Specialized Journalism students normally enroll in JOUR 594a (2 units) and JOUR 594b (2 units) in their single year of study.

For complete admission requirements refer to the section on the School of Journalism page.