University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The programme combines core journalism methods with specialist modules in investigative practice. You will study investigative reporting techniques, data journalism and visualisation, computer-assisted reporting, multimedia storytelling for web and broadcast, journalism law and ethics, and advanced research methods including public records and FOIA work. Coursework emphasises hands-on projects: reporting and producing multi-platform investigations, conducting source development and verification, and using datasets and scraping to find and analyse stories.

Typical components include:

• Investigative reporting labs: semester-long projects that simulate newsroom investigations or pair students with news organisations for real investigations.
• Data and tools: courses on spreadsheets, databases, basic coding for journalists, data cleaning and visualisation.
• Multimedia production: audio and video storytelling, interactive web presentation and social distribution strategies.
• Journalism law & ethics: libel, privacy, public records, and ethical decision-making for investigative work.
• Capstone / practicum: a major investigative project or practicum placement that serves as a professional portfolio piece.

Structure and pace

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, practical labs and supervised projects. Students typically complete the degree over one to two academic years of full-time study, depending on prior credits and the chosen project load. Assessment is based on project work, portfolios, and occasionally written exams or reflective essays rather than purely on traditional exams.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Selection emphasises journalistic potential and relevant experience as demonstrated by the application portfolio. Typical application materials include:

• Academic transcripts.
• A personal statement outlining journalistic interests and investigative ambitions.
• Work samples or a portfolio showcasing reporting, writing, multimedia or data projects.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.

Professional experience in reporting or related fields is advantageous; applicants without a journalism background should show transferrable skills such as research, data analysis, or documentary production. Check the programme’s admissions page for any specific requirements and for guidance on portfolio expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue careers across public-interest journalism and allied sectors. Common roles include investigative reporter, data journalist, accountability reporter, multimedia producer, and editor in newsrooms of local, regional and national media. Alumni also work in specialised investigative organisations, non-profit watchdogs, advocacy communications, and documentary production. Skills gained in the programme — data handling, public-records work, long-form narrative and multimedia production — are applicable to roles in research organisations, government transparency units and fact-checking initiatives.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder’s journalism programme is housed within the College of Media, Communication and Information, which offers a professional, newsroom-focused education with faculty who combine academic expertise and newsroom experience. The university’s location provides proximity to Denver’s media market and a wide range of regional institutions, offering reporting opportunities on state and western-region issues including environment, energy, public lands and local governance. The programme’s emphasis on practicum work and portfolio development prepares graduates for immediate entry into investigative and data-driven journalism roles.