The Best Online Master’s in Journalism Degree Programs of 2025

An online master’s in journalism helps prepare graduates for a wide array of potential careers. The most obvious is that it can help jumpstart or further a journalism career (median salary of $55,960 per year). This graduate degree can help prepare you for jobs outside the journalism field as well, such as public relations manager (median salary of $125,620 per year).

In most cases, full-time students can complete an online master’s in journalism program in two years, and some accelerated programs are also available. And the average tuition for such a program is $20,513 per year, making it an affordable way to continue your education and widen your career prospects.

We interviewed Blanca Villagomez, a program counselor and coordinator at UC-Irvine, for her guidance on selecting the best online master’s in journalism program, navigating the application process, and securing funding for your degree.

Choose your area of study

This degree is available as a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). MS programs are more research-focused, while MA programs are rooted in a humanities framework.

Some online master’s in journalism programs offer separate areas of study, or concentrations, in different aspects of journalism. These aspects typically include arts and culture, business and economics, digital journalism, and global journalism.

Those who already know what career they want to pursue after graduation should find a graduate program catering to their specific needs. For those unsure about their future career, exploring the areas of study offered by different schools may inspire them. However, regardless of future employment, all programs from reputable institutions will help ground students in the best practices of modern journalism.

“A college education requires an investment of time, money, and energy, so it’s important for students to reflect on their motivations for pursuing a degree,” Villagomez says. “I encourage students to start by reflecting on their academic interests, career goals, and the types of learning environments they thrive in to identify the best programs for them.”

Research schools and programs

We previously touched on the fact that students will want to research different areas of study to help find the program best suited to their needs, and it’s equally important to verify that prospective schools have proper accreditation.

You should only consider institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.

Ideally, your master’s in journalism program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). This programmatic accrediting organization has particularly high standards for journalism education.

Additionally, students who intend to begin (or continue) a journalism career after graduation should research where their favorite journalists went to school and see if those schools offer online graduate programs in journalism. And from a practical perspective, it’s always advisable to research which online programs suit the student’s intended budget and schedule (for example, students shouldn’t enroll in a fast-track program if they will be working full-time while going to school).

To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.

Prepare for tests and applications

Application requirements vary by school and program. Once you have narrowed a few schools down, check for any testing requirements they may have. For example, some online master’s in journalism programs require students to submit GRE scores, and some do not. If you need to submit a GRE score and have not taken it, you can study by reviewing online sample tests and study materials, but keep in mind that it could take up to three months to study for this test.

Some programs may require students to have previously completed a bachelor’s in journalism, whereas others will accept those who have undergrad degrees in select other disciplines. You may need to submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement as well.

“The keys to preparing for the college application process are self-reflection, skill-building, understanding a school’s admission requirements, and staying organized,” says Villagomez. “Through continuous self-reflection, students can feel more confident and grounded to tackle the application process, track their progress, and accomplish their goals. Additionally, practicing reflection in these early stages will help students prepare to write strong admissions essays, requiring them to showcase their strong writing skills, synthesize their experiences, and highlight lessons learned.”

Before submitting an application, always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.

Select your program

Selecting the best online master’s in journalism program means finding the intersection between educational rigor, student accessibility, and overall affordability. Remember that the tuition cost for a degree is not an accurate indicator of how much students will learn from their studies. It’s best to find an affordable program respected in the field.

Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Are you only interested in 100% online programs, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a few in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.

Determine how you’ll pay for your degree

First, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Doing so will qualify students for select federal loans and may also help to qualify them for specific grants and scholarships. Students who need further money may wish to explore alternative loans. “Scholarships are free money, and hundreds of options are available outside of the schools you’re applying to,” says Villagomez. “Consider using trusted scholarship websites like Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Going Merry, and ScholarshipOwl.”

It’s also advisable to contact the school’s financial aid department to inquire about any assistance available through the school or the state. Those who currently work in the field should see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits as well.