Marymount Manhattan College

What you'll study

This programme combines core liberal-arts study with journalism skills courses and a concentration in investigative techniques. You will learn methods of reporting, newswriting and multimedia production alongside specialised classes in investigative reporting, data journalism and media law and ethics. Typical modules and learning experiences include:

• Newswriting and Reporting: fundamentals of sourcing, interviewing, beats, and writing tight, accurate stories for print and online.
• Investigative Reporting: long-form research, cultivating sources, document-gathering, public-records use and developing enterprise projects.
• Data and Visual Journalism: working with datasets, spreadsheets, basic data analysis, and visualisation to support investigative work.
• Media Law and Ethics: libel, privacy, freedom of information, and the ethical responsibilities of public-interest reporting.
• Multimedia and Broadcast Skills: audio and video reporting, podcasting, and producing digital-first content for varied platforms.
• Editing and Newsroom Practice: copy-editing, headline writing, production workflows and editorial decision-making.
• Capstone/Independent Project: a sustained investigative project or portfolio produced under faculty supervision, often requiring original reporting and multimedia presentation.
• Internship/Practicum: credit-bearing internships with news organisations, NGOs, local media outlets or digital publishers in New York City.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school qualification or equivalent. Admissions typically consider academic records, a personal statement explaining journalistic interests, and a portfolio or samples of writing, reporting or multimedia work where available. Additional supportive materials may include letters of recommendation and an interview.

For applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of English-language proficiency is required. Transfer applicants are assessed on college transcripts and previously completed coursework; practical experience or prior internships in media can strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for newsroom roles and related communications careers. Common pathways include:

• Investigative reporter or local/national beat reporter in print, online or broadcast newsrooms.
• Data journalist, fact-checker or research reporter working with datasets and documents to support stories.
• Multimedia producer, podcast host, or digital content editor creating cross-platform storytelling.
• Nonprofit, public-interest or watchdog journalism roles, including investigative units in foundations and advocacy organisations.
• Communications, public relations, research analyst, or editorial roles that value strong reporting and verification skills.

Because the programme emphasises practical experience and professional internships, graduates are equipped to enter diverse media environments or continue to postgraduate study in journalism, law, or public policy.

Why study at Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan College is located in the heart of New York City, offering direct access to major media organisations, courts, municipal agencies and cultural institutions—an advantage for investigative journalists who rely on proximity to sources and records. The college emphasises small classes and close faculty mentorship; journalism courses are taught by instructors with professional newsroom experience, providing personalised feedback and industry insight.

The Department supports practical learning through newsroom-style classes, credit-bearing internships and opportunities to publish or broadcast student work. These hands-on components, paired with a liberal-arts education, aim to produce investigative journalists who combine critical thinking and research rigour with the practical skills needed to pursue complex, public-interest stories.