Marywood University

What you'll study

This programme combines foundational journalism skills with specialised investigative methods. Core topics include news reporting and feature writing, media law and ethics, investigative research and source development, data journalism and basic data analysis, multimedia storytelling (audio, video and online), and freedom of information and public records research. Practical modules focus on beat reporting, court and government reporting, interviewing techniques, fact-checking and verification, and visualising data for stories.

Students complete immersive, practice-oriented components such as a reporting practicum, multimedia production labs and a capstone investigative project in which they conceive, research and publish a sustained investigation. Coursework emphasises ethical decision-making, community impact, and the technical tools used in contemporary investigative work (spreadsheets, data-cleaning, basic SQL or similar tools, digital security and source protection techniques).

Typical modules

• Introduction to Journalism: reporting, writing and news judgment
• Investigative Reporting: long-form and enterprise reporting techniques
• Media Law and Ethics: libel, privacy, and public interest considerations
• Data Journalism and Visualisation: working with datasets and presenting findings
• Multimedia Storytelling: audio, video and online production
• Public Records and FOI Research: requests, document analysis and records management
• Advanced Interviewing and Source Development
• Reporting Practicum / Internship
• Capstone Investigative Project

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider academic record (GPA or grades), a written personal statement and a portfolio or samples of journalistic writing, multimedia work or other relevant creative work. Some programmes request one or more letters of recommendation and may invite candidates to an interview. Standardised test scores may be optional; check the university’s admissions guidance for current policy.

Non-traditional applicants with relevant professional or community experience are encouraged to apply and may present a portfolio demonstrating reporting, research or multimedia skills. Students whose first language is not English may be required to demonstrate English-language proficiency.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to careers in newsrooms, nonprofit investigative organisations, digital media, broadcast journalism and documentary production. Typical roles include investigative reporter, data journalist, multimedia reporter, researcher for investigative teams, fact-checker, editorial producer and investigative producer for television or radio. Skills gained in the programme also transfer to roles in government oversight bodies, compliance and audit teams, public policy research, and communications roles that require strong research and storytelling abilities.

Many students pursue internships at regional and national news organisations during their studies and continue to graduate programmes in journalism, law or public policy if they want to specialise further.

Why study at Marywood University

Marywood offers a small-campus environment with personalised attention from faculty who combine academic expertise and professional journalism experience. The programme emphasises ethical reporting and community service consistent with the university’s mission, preparing students to pursue public-interest journalism responsibly.

Students benefit from hands-on learning in multimedia labs and reporting practicum placements. The department supports student work through mentorship, opportunities to publish and broadcast, and connections with local and regional news organisations for internships and collaborative projects. Small class sizes and one-on-one guidance help students develop the investigative skills, digital tools and newsroom-ready portfolio they need to launch careers in investigative journalism.