Why you should consider this program

The Cronkite Master of Mass Communication trains students to report, write and produce storytelling for broadcast and digital platforms through immersive learning experiences. This 36-credit hour program begins with a multimedia “boot camp." From there, students take advanced courses in investigative reporting, broadcast production, online media, business reporting, Spanish-language news, transborder coverage or digital media entrepreneurship. The program culminates in a professional immersion experience under award-winning journalists in one of the Cronkite School's news bureaus in Phoenix, Los Angeles or Washington.

The Cronkite School values applications from Peace Corps Volunteers, who have demonstrated the skills and values that are critical to thriving in our master’s program and beyond.

The public service mission is central to our journalism curriculum, which focuses on engaging and informing communities, shedding light on societal challenges and solutions, providing a voice for underserved populations and holding people in power accountable.

Journalism also requires flexibility, confidence and resilience in unfamiliar situations. RPCVs have demonstrated all of the above, making them especially suited for our hands-on program.

Cronkite School Coverdell Fellows earn an assistantship for the first two semesters, including full tuition, health insurance premiums and a stipend, and receive full tuition coverage in the third semester.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 24,078	$ 40,078	$ 0 + You receive additional benefits.
Out of state	$ 40,935	$ 56,935	$ 0 + You receive additional benefits.

* Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing—see the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

100% tuition remission for first two semesters, 20-hour-per-week assistantship for first two semesters (covers health insurance premiums and provides $8,550 stipend per semester), plus 100% tuition award and health insurance premiums for the third semester. Candidates demonstrating financial need may also be eligible for an additional $2,500 scholarship.

CLICK HERE to see more detailed information regarding Arizona State University's tuition estimation. 

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

2

Other benefits or opportunities

Benefits include health insurance for 3 semesters and a $17,100 stipend split over the first two semesters.

Annual cost of living (estimated)

$ 32,400

Application fee waived?

Yes

Internship

Fellows will spend 10 hours per week at an internship for the first two semesters of the program. That will total approximately 300 hours and will count toward the 20-hour-per-week work requirement under the assistantship.

The Cronkite School has secured confirmation from three organizations that are enthusiastic about working with Coverdell Fellows. Fellows will be able to work together with the assistant dean overseeing the master's programs to select one of these options or propose an alternative option if that would better align with the fellow’s experience and career goals.

The three participating organizations include Spot127, the National Center on Disability and Journalism, and Arizona State University’s Center for Indian Education. At Spot 127, a multimedia journalism program for low-income students run by the local NPR affiliate station KJZZ, Coverdell Fellows mentor students in during-school or after-school programs. At the National Center on Disability and Journalism, Coverdell Fellows develop relationships with local groups providing services to people with disabilities. At ASU’s Center for Indian Education, Coverdell Fellows work with Native students to produce a magazine and a podcast focused on improving educational outcomes for American Indian college students.

The Cronkite School’s assistant dean overseeing master’s programs will facilitate coordination with supervising community groups in collaboration with the Cronkite School’s Career Services team.

Jobs for program alumni

With a network of more than 10,000 graduates, the Cronkite School has one of the country’s strongest journalism alumni bases. Cronkite’s alumni network includes leaders at broadcast, digital and print media outlets as well as top public relations agencies and nonprofits around the globe.

Recent graduates have landed jobs at leading organizations such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CBS News, CNN, NBC News, Bloomberg, Buzzfeed, ESPN, Disney and Edelman.

Other details

Program length

3 semester (can be completed in 12 months)

Application requirements

Application, GRE scores, college transcripts, personal statement, resume, three letters of recommendation. Previous journalism experience is not required.

Admissions process

Applicants should complete a form on the ASU Coverdell Fellowship website to express interest in a specific ASU unit’s program. The form prompts them to describe their experience with the Peace Corps and upload a Description of Service. Once the form is completed, the coordinator at ASU’s Graduate College will provide the candidate with a waiver to submit an application for the master’s program and alert the Cronkite School to expect an application from the candidate. The Cronkite School’s Master’s Committee will then consider the candidate for admission and for the Coverdell fellowship under existing admissions procedures.

Program begins

Mid-August

Non-traditional options

• None

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2018

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Contact

Rebecca Blatt, Assistant Dean