Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism

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.
Student, alumni and faculty work
Murder to mercy
Professors Dan Birman and Megan Chao ’08 reflect on their Netflix feature documentary focusing on the case of Cyntoia Brown.
Two graduate alumni screen documentaries at Sundance
Dylan Valley and Matt Yoka were selected by the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to screen their work.
Pipeline for podcasters
Daric Cottingham joins five USC Annenberg students for a one-of-a-kind summer internship with Spotify.
Finding passion
Veteran NBC4 LA and MTV producer Aliya Jasmine delves into environmental journalism.
Reporting on homelessness in L.A.
Stories and videos developed in Professors Mary Murphy and Sandy Tolan’s course featured in the Huffington Post.

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 advisors.