Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture)

Photo of a person walking in front of an art exhibit

We prepare you to be leading-edge food and arts journalists in the world’s most dynamic and culturally rich city: Los Angeles.

As you immerse yourself in the vibrancy of L.A., you will build your storytelling, and multimedia skills with our expert faculty. You will also have opportunities to work behind-the-scenes with professional journalists, artists and culinary experts to experience and produce work that sets you apart as a cultural reporter and critic.

Whether you’re interested in food or arts, including film, TV, visual art, architecture, performance, or fashion, you can craft a customized program of study by taking courses from USC Annenberg and across USC’s six arts schools. Your work will also be amplified through our state-of-the-art media center and collaborations with major media outlets.

By the numbers

121

available arts electivesChoose from a wide range of electives from across USC’s six arts schools.

Choose from a wide range of electives from across USC’s six arts schools.

students per class, on averageOur students develop intellectual, professional and ethical depth as they engage with our expert faculty in small-class settings.

Our students develop intellectual, professional and ethical depth as they engage with our expert faculty in small-class settings.

37% %

of students received fellowshipsSince 2007, arts journalism students have received a variety of prestigious scholarship awards, including fellowships from Sony and the Julia Child Foundation.

Since 2007, arts journalism students have received a variety of prestigious scholarship awards, including fellowships from Sony and the Julia Child Foundation.

90% %

of graduates work in the artsOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in arts journalism, as well as in arts practice, management, education or their own arts-related businesses.

Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in arts journalism, as well as in arts practice, management, education or their own arts-related businesses.

Student and alumni work

SJAC student John Kwesi Broadway smiles at camera in front of Wallis Annenberg Hall.

Filmmaker and activist expands his impact

Writer, filmmaker and community organizer John Kwesi Broadway applies his passions to the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) program.

women with red hair wearing graduation stoll poses by flowers

Thespian-turned-entertainment journalism grad lands first job at news start-up

Charlotte Phillipp’s journey into arts and entertainment journalism was fueled by her two loves: theater and writing.

An African-American student looks at her computer for Charlotte Bass Lab.

Amplifying Black social change makers on the West Coast

Founded by Professor Allissa V. Richardson, the Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab saves, studies and shares history about Black social justice trailblazers on the West Coast.

(L-R) Divya Subbiah, Ona Martini and Casey Loving at Sundance Film Festival (photo by Oscar Garza).

Reflecting on the Sundance Film Festival

Students screen and report on nearly a dozen films for Ampersand.

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.

A class of about 10 people stand posed for a group shot outside Wallis Annenberg Hall.

Find your community with Ampersand

As an arts journalism master’s student, you will create, edit, manage and sustain Ampersand, our award-winning online arts and culture magazine. You will set the publication’s mission while gaining entrepreneurial expertise as you engage in real journalism in real time.

Learn more