Graduate Program: Bilingual Journalism (MA)

General Information

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted you must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher

Note: journalism experience is not required.

Application requirements are:

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose should describe your goals and objectives for wanting to pursue this graduate degree. Explain why you believe that you are a good fit for the program and how your interests match with those available through the program.

Recommenders

The School of Journalism requires each applicant to have a minimum of three recommenders provide answers to our online questions on their behalf. These questions are instead of a letter of recommendation and should be answered by faculty members or employers who can speak about (1) your academic and/or research ability or your work and/or internship experience and (2) your potential for graduate studies. Should you or the recommender have questions about this process, please email debbiecross@arizona.edu at the School of Journalism.

Resume/CV

Upload a current resumé or curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the online application in the ‘Supplemental Questions’ section.

Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts from ALL higher education institutions attended as part of the online application. Minimum GPA for last 60 hours of undergraduate work is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Writing Samples

Provide two or three journalistic, business or academic writing samples that demonstrate your command of the English language and your ability to organize your thoughts coherently. Journalistic samples, if you have them, can be hard news, features or sports in print, broadcast, or online formats. Business and academic samples can take any form – an essay, term paper, class assignment, correspondence, or promotional piece.

English Language Proficiency

• Success in the School of Journalism demands a high degree of proficiency in both spoken and written English. International students whose native language is not English need to provide high scores on the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Minimum required TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are 600 (paper-based), 100 (Internet-based) and 250 (computer-based). The minimum required IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score is 7 (no subject area below a 6).
   
• In addition, international students will be interviewed by phone by a faculty member to ensure that they have the necessary English skills to succeed in this highly competitive, communication-driven field.
   
• As an alternative to the TOEFL, candidates can elect conditional acceptance. That means they would precede their journalism classes by enrolling in the College for English as a Second Language for as long as it takes to meet an acceptable level of English proficiency.

 

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are optional. You can upload your unofficial GRE scores as part of the online application. You must also submit official scores on the GRE through ETS using institution code 4832.

 

Funding Opportunities

To be updated

 

Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

• Fall: Rolling admission, but prefer by
  February 15
• Spring: Rolling admission, but prefer by
  September 1
  (August 1 for International Students)

International Applicants:

• Fall: Rolling Admission, but prefer by February 15
• Spring: Rolling admission, but prefer by August 1

 

International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

33 

Core Coursework Requirements

Required Core Coursework (15 units):
All courses are 3 units

BJP 510  Latinx and News Media in the United States
BJP 511  Global Latinx Diasphoric Transnationalism and News Media
BJP 512  Covering Latinx Affairs I: Bilingual Multimedia Reporting Audio Production (taught in Spanish)
BJP 513  Covering Latinx Affairs II: Bilingual Multimedia Reporting Video Production (taught in Spanish)
JOUR 909 Project or JOUR 593 Bilingual Internship

 

 

 

Elective Coursework

Electives (18 units required)

All courses are 3 units. Choose electives in Journalism, Latin American Studies, Mexican American Studies and Spanish & Portuguese.

Recommended Journalism Electives

JOUR 505 Media Apprenticeship

JOUR 506 Introductory and Advanced Reporting

JOUR 507 Reporting with Multimedia

JOUR 573 Reporting in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

JOUR 593 Internship

JOUR 596L U.S. Press and Latin America

Some Latin American Studies Department Electives (there are many possibilities--discuss with the DGS)

LAS 500 Introduction to Latin American Studies

LAS 505 Sabores de Mexico: From Farm to Table

LAS 505A Colony to Nation to the 21st Century: Politics and Culture in Chilean History

LAS 518 Southwest Land and Society

LAS 542 Natural Resources and the Law in the Spanish Borderlands of North America

Some Mexican American Studies Department Electives (there are many possibilities--discuss with the DGS)

MAS 505: Traditional Indian Medicine: Health, Healing and Well Being

MAS 508: The Mexican-American: A Cultural Perspective

MAS 509: Mexican Immigration

MAS 510: Socio-Cultural Determinants of Health

MAS 525: Latino Health Disparities

Some Spanish and Portuguese Department Electives (there are many possibilities--discuss with the DGS)

SPAN 501 Introduction to Hispanic Studies

SPAN 565D History of Spain: Contemporary

SPAN 574 Language in the Mexican American Experience

SPAN 574 Heritage Language Research

SPAN 585 Introduction to Translation Studies

Additional courses can be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Additional Requirements

Students must be fluent in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese. They must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (U.S. or abroad).

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.