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.

Rodmy ‘Johnny’ Dorcil named Sony Pictures Entertainment Fellow

The fellowship, a joint venture by USC Annenberg, USC School of Cinematic Arts and SPE, supports aspiring film critics.

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.

‘Inside Julia’s Kitchen’

In this podcast, Professor Sasha Anawalt and Melody Waintal, Julia Child Foundation Fellow in Food Journalism, discuss what covering food means in the 21st century.

The power of podcasting

Paola Mardo’s podcast Long Distance brings a Filipina voice to mainstream media.

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