About the Program
The journalism program fuses traditional journalism and "new" media. As innovative technology formats change the way news is delivered, the critical skills remain the same: careful, patient reporting, sophisticated storytelling, and sound, ethical judgment. Reporting is more immediate than ever, more transparent, and more interactive, with little or no margin for error. The Master of Professional Studies in Journalism graduate degree program emphasizes all of the elements needed to be a successful, adaptable journalist.
Curriculum
In addition to a core course in ethics and a capstone course, students choose eight electives guided by but not limited to their chosen degree tracks. Many reach beyond their chosen track, and even to another concentration, in order to create a well-rounded, multidisciplinary curriculum that meets their needs and goals. Courses are continuously updated to reflect current trends within relevant industries.
Ethics in Journalism. The MPS journalism degree program aims to educate the whole person and believes that this process starts with the study of ethics. Looking at ethics through a professional lens, this course asks students to explore their own values and challenges them to codify and commit to their own code of ethics in relationship to professional codes of conduct and best practices. Students seeking an MPS journalism degree will gain a solid foundation in ethics and relate what they learn to their own professional situation through class discussions, case studies, and guest lectures conducted by Georgetown University ethicists as well as communications professionals. This course is required for all Master of Professional Studies students and must be completed by the second semester in the program.
The Capstone Course. The Master of Professional Studies Journalism degree program culminates in the capstone, during which each student produces a substantial piece of work ready for publication or broadcast, which serves also as a centerpiece for his or her portfolio. The work follows the student’s chosen track, created for the medium of his or her choosing: newspaper or magazine, online, or documentary-style video and radio. A strategy is developed to pursue publication or broadcast of the final work. The finished piece is reviewed by a faculty member who serves as capstone adviser whose area of expertise falls within the scope of the capstone. A minimum grade of 3.00 (solid "B" or better) must be earned in the capstone course to obtain a Master of Professional Studies Journalism degree from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.
Capstone Process and Deadlines
Step One:
You must declare your intention to do your capstone during pre-registration in the semester preceding the semester in which you will do your capstone. Pre-register for MPJO-900 (capstone). You must have a total of at least 21 credits with a 3.00 cumulative GPA completed by the beginning of the semester in which you plan to do your capstone and the capstone can only be done in your final semester.
Step Two:
By the last day of "Examination Days" http://registrar.georgetown.edu/calendars/2008-2009.htm in the semester preceding your final semester (the semester in which you are doing your capstone) you must do the following:
- Choose a capstone adviser from the pre-approved list of MPS Journalism instructors. Your capstone adviser must come from this list.
- Contact the adviser at the email address supplied on the list, and briefly describe your capstone idea and ask the professor to agree to be your adviser.
- Notify in writing, by email or regular letter, the MPS Journalism Associate Dean the following information: a brief description of your capstone that includes what medium or mediums the project will take and the name of the professor who will be your capstone adviser and provide proof of consent from the adviser.
Step Three:
By one/third of the way through the semester (by the end of the fifth week during the fall and spring semester and by the end of the fourth week during the summer semester), you must have completed a partial draft of your project. The terms of this will be determined between you and your capstone adviser.
Step Four:
By two/thirds of the way through the semester (by the end of the tenth week during the fall and spring semester and by the end of the eighth week of the summer semester) you must have a rough finished draft for your capstone adviser to review.
Steps Five and Six:
By the last day of classes, completed Ethics and Standards Essay questions must be completed and turned in to your professor. Click here to download questions.
By the last day of classes, completed capstones must be submitted. Any revisions required by the capstone adviser must be finished and returned to the capstone adviser no later than the last day of "Examination Days" http://registrar.georgetown.edu/calendars/2008-2009.htm
Related capstone policies:
A minimum grade of 3.00 (solid "B" or better) must be earned in the capstone course.
In the unlikely event that a student is unable to complete the capstone course or the student earns a grade lower than a B, the student may request permission to repeat the course on a one-time basis through the associate dean. Both grades will remain a part of the student's permanent transcript; however only the most recent grade and credits will be applied toward the degree.
Failure to complete the capstone in one semester will result in a grade of F. Incompletes will not be given for capstones except in the instances of documented medical leave or other reasons deemed acceptable by the MPS Journalism Associate Dean and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Travel Requirements for Spring 2009 Capstone:
If your capstone experience includes travel plans outside of the United States, please review the following guidelines and take the necessary steps to ensure safety.
- Check the Department of State Travel Warning list to see if your planned destination is listed. If it is, you should contact the associate dean immediately to discuss the situation, before any travel arrangements have begun. If the country is not listed, please inform the associate dean of your travel plans and then proceed to the next steps. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
- Register with the Department of State so that the embassy in the country where you intend to travel knows where you will be in case of an emergency. The URL is: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
- Become familiar with Georgetown's support service called International SOS - please go to: http://travel.georgetown.edu/38013.html. This support is available to all Georgetown students, staff and faculty who travel overseas. You should carry an ISOS card with you which can be printed out from the website. The MPS Journalism program requires that you carry this card with you during your travels.
- Consider how long you will be out of the country and how familiar you are with the culture of the area you are visiting. Have you traveled to this part of the world before? Do you need more information and/or training on the culture and communication differences of the country? Your capstone adviser and the associate dean should be kept apprised of your travels while you are in country, an itinerary supplied beforehand and frequent communication, if possible, via email or phone during the duration of your travels.
