Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (The Arts)

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

Fashioning a podcast for the LGBTQ community

Ellen Ford’s podcast Outfit explores the relationship between gender, presentation, sexuality and wardrobes.

The act of listening: The study of popular culture and music

Josh Kun, professor and award-winning cultural historian, shares how his focus on music extends to performative lectures, books he has written, and a collaboration with the Los Angeles Public Library.

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.

Photo of a sign that says "Sundance Film Fesitval" at the Egyptian venue

Two graduate alumni screen documentaries at Sundance

Dylan Valley and Matt Yoka were selected by the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to screen their work.

Adult hispanic male stands in front of brick building

Prioritizing an emphasis on culture

Oscar Garza, director of the MA in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) program, wants to teach students that arts journalism is about more than food, art and music — it’s about understanding culture

Taco ’bout it

Students explore L.A.’s food culture as they learn about urbanization, health and much more.

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