Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism

Picture of four people around a computer laughing

We prepare you to be an innovative, in-depth journalist in the ideal environment: the dynamic, complex and culturally diverse city of Los Angeles.

Here, you will work with our expert faculty to identify and focus on the most eﬀective storytelling medium for your distinctive voice: text, audio, documentary video, or newly-emerging media such as augmented reality (AR). Within that medium, you may also select and develop a specialized area of coverage like social justice, sports or entertainment.

You can craft a customized program of study around your chosen medium and specialization, which may include exploring courses from across USC’s 19 distinct academic schools. Your work will also be ampliﬁed through our state-of-the-art media center and collaborations with major media outlets.

By the numbers

50% %

of students identify as being a member of a traditionally underrepresented groupOur program’s diverse student body brings experiences from all over the world to Annenberg classrooms.

Our program’s diverse student body brings experiences from all over the world to Annenberg classrooms.

students per required courseStudents in Specialized Journalism develop professional training from our expert faculty in small-class settings.

Students in Specialized Journalism develop professional training from our expert faculty in small-class settings.

USC schools from which to select additional coursesAs a student in the Specialized Journalism program, you have the opportunity to select electives across USC schools.

As a student in the Specialized Journalism program, you have the opportunity to select electives across USC schools.

90% %

of our Class of 2023 employed within 12 months of graduationOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Spectrum, ESPN and USA Today.

Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Spectrum, ESPN and USA Today.

Student, alumni and faculty work

Identical twins Matthew and Benjamin Royer

Identical twin brothers — and storytellers

From their days as young actors, twin brothers Matthew and Benjamin Royer have always been by each other’s side. Now, they dive into multidisciplinary reporting and engage in their passion for journalism in unique ways.

L.A. on the Margins

From pitch to final mixdown, podcast students produce professional-quality longform audio stories for LAist Studios’ “How To L.A.” podcast.

Ray Troncoso speaks in microphone wearing blue sweater with white stripes.

A career turning point

Ray Troncoso leans on his dedication to putting in the work — and the lessons he learned on campus — while embarking on a new chapter.

A top-down Maps screenshot on the left, and a person smiling at the camera on the right.

Transforming storytelling with open-source investigative journalism

USC Annenberg is building America’s premier open-source investigative reporting education program — providing students with an unparalleled opportunity to chart the future of the profession.

From the classroom to the newsroom

The Los Angeles Times, Poynter, NPR, USA Today, and Salon. These are just a few of the media outlets in which journalism master’s students have published their reporting.

Nigerian man interviews African female for graduate student project

Bass Lab inaugural fellow spotlights #AfricansInUkraine

Iliya Kure devotes his thesis research to examining how citizen journalists can create effective counternarratives and challenge mainstream media reporting.

Hone your storytelling skills

USC Annenberg’s Media Center is a classroom and working newsroom with state-of-the-art capabilities, allowing you to gain ﬁrsthand experience. Explore medium like writing, podcasting and documentary ﬁlming with our award-winning faculty advisers.

Learn more