Without journalism, we would not have the news to inform or update us on what is going on in our communities and around the world. If you are interested in getting the facts of a particular story and presenting them in an objective manner, or you want to exercise your freedom of speech and expression, or you simply enjoy writing, you might want to try studying journalism. There are many graduate schools with excellent programs that provide training in interviewing techniques, practicing good ethics, and providing attributions. You will be able to take what you learn and actually apply them in the real world. Journalism is certainly a field that takes practice to perfect, or at least master. Below you will find the top 7 schools boasting prestigious journalism schools:

1) Northeastern University (Boston, MA). The school’s website allows you to sign up to receive information and updates on their program. Since the school is located in Boston, there will be plenty of jobs and internships in this field. There is no better teacher than experience.

2) Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). About a half-hour from Chicago where this school’s second campus is located, their journalism education center offers a MSJ in broadcast journalism, magazine publishing, reporting and writing.

3) Ohio State University (Columbus, OH). Under the umbrella of communications, this school offers programs of study in Interpersonal and Mediated Communication, Communication Technology and Society, Health Communication, Public Opinion and Political Communication, and Strategic Communication.

4) Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY). Anyone interested in journalism knows that Syracuse University’s Newhouse School is the best of the best. Their master’s programs include arts journalism, broadcast journalism, magazine, newspaper and online journalism, media studies, news media, and television, radio and film. They even help you find internships.

5) University of Georgia (Athens, GA). If you are interested in enrolling in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, you will find that their website provides a lot of information on how to apply and what you need to apply. There is also information on their master’s and Ph.D. programs.

6) Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT). This university boasts state-of-the-art technology in various facilities in their McMahon Communications Center including their news room that is hooked up to the Associated Press, allowing real-time news to arrive as they receive it. There is also a television studio with cameras, audio equipment and high-definition visuals. All amenities are available to journalism graduate students.

7) Columbia University (New York, NY). Last but certainly not least is the Journalism School at Columbia University. It offers several academic degree programs that cover most if not all areas of journalism. As a mark of their excellence Columbia University gives out the Pulitzer Prizes and duPont Awards, among others. 

And there you have it folks – the top 7 journalism schools in various parts of the country. No matter what you choose to concentrate in, you are bound to come across something you can learn from and be challenged by. Who knows, one day you could work for CNN or the New York Times and be the next Barbara Walters or Peter Jennings. Good luck!