Journalism doctorate is the highest degree in journalism one can obtain.
If you want more than a simple career in the news business, a journalism doctorate is something you should consider.
After working for years in the business, you might feel that your job is not fulfilling anymore. You want to do more than just being an editor or redactor and you believe that the experience acquired over the years can help you achieve great things. Maybe you wish to teach the next generation of reporters or maybe you want to be a part of a major research program. Whatever the case may be, the journalism doctorate is the means to your end.
Even though there is no general agreement on which journalism doctorate program is best, several are well regarded:
- University of Missouri was the first US institution to award a journalism doctorate. Over the years the program developed in one of the best in the country.
- Columbia University offers a journalism doctorate, even though it is mostly known for its master’s programs. The doctorate programs takes a more academic approach, as students are required to study business, political science or history beside the actual journalism courses.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison is known to have some of the most productive graduates in terms of journal publishing. It only admits an average of 10 students annually to its doctoral program.
- The University of Pennsylvania’s School for Communication offers a five-year journalism doctorate program and was, in a study conducted by the National Communication Association in 2004, ranked highest in the country in the sub-fields of Political Communication and Mass Communication.
The top doctoral programs provide great learning experience, but they also have pretty strict requirements. Candidates should have confirmed interest, personal experience and education in journalism, mass communication, public relations or a related field. At least two years of full-time experience and a master’s or bachelor’s degree in one of those fields are preferred. In some cases you might have to pass a series of preliminary examinations before you begin writing your dissertation.
Earning a journalism doctorate will open new career opportunities, like teaching positions at major universities, spots on research teams, news editor or news manager jobs. All in all, a doctorate in journalism will provide participants with great skills improvement and will help professionals in the journalism area extend their knowledge, allowing them to make a key contribution in their chosen areas of expertise.