Media management

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of arts in journalism
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Master of science in journalism

Pursue the next stage of your media or communications career with an online master of arts in journalism with an emphasis in media management from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

You’ve been reporting stories, writing features, developing creative concepts or building campaigns for a number of years. Over your career thus far, you’ve seen the media landscape shift dramatically. News gets released at a faster rate, digital fluency is a must at all levels and community relationships are increasingly crucial. Look ahead with this blended online degree program standing on the Missouri School of Journalism’s history of excellence. Refine your reporting skills, upgrade your technology toolkit to make more effective decisions and strengthen your understanding of the industry’s business, management and legal angles to reach for a leadership position.

Quick facts

Official name

Master of arts in journalism with an emphasis in media management

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

Missouri School of Journalism

Delivery mode

Blended, one campus visit required

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Credit hours

33

Estimated cost

$33,000.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Why earn an online master’s in media management?

The media industry’s dynamic environment means that content creators and campaign managers routinely adjust their tactics, goals and delivery methods to captivate audiences. Over the past decade, digital technologies greatly overhauled the landscape — from predicting trends and defining engagement to reaching out to sources and distributing news. Mizzou’s program, in this regard, helps you advance your knowledge while uncovering your leadership style. 

Building off your existing background, this online master’s program presents a more comprehensive picture of media management and campaign development, with focus given to digital and integrated technologies. Structured specifically for working journalism and media professionals interested in sharpening their leadership potential in a competitive, always-adapting market, this program:

  • Helps you lead your team or media organization into the future
  • Takes your knowledge of content creation, management, analytics and marketing to the next level
  • Instructs you in the basics of the media business, including law, management and finance
  • Highlights current developments in media technologies, including how they’re used to predict trends, measure engagement and campaign success, distribute news and connect with your surrounding community
  • Illustrates uses for digital tools in creating and sharing content and identifying audiences
  • Helps you establish your leadership potential to develop campaigns and make strategic decisions
  • Helps you continue to grow your understanding of traditional journalistic, media and communication principles
  • Is taught by faculty who are accomplished journalists, researchers and instructors
Media professionals on a laptop screen.

Career prospects

From digital technologies to new models of content consumption and distribution, media and communication careers are expected to experience visible growth over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 14% more positions between 2020 and 2030.

As you think about what’s next, this online master’s in media management helps you take on a more impactful, transformative role, no matter if you currently work in media, communications, journalism, marketing or advertising. Potential job titles include:

  • Advertising agency partner
  • Media relations manager
  • Station general manager
  • Magazine publisher
  • Broadcast/network president
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
4.4%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$62,000
Median salary

Program structure

The online master of arts in journalism with an emphasis in media management consists of 33 credit hours. These are divided between a required core (12 credit hours) focusing on advanced journalism, media and communication concepts and the emphasis area (15-17 credit hours). Students also have the choice of completing a thesis or capstone project.

Delivery of this program is blended; one on-campus seminar held in the fall is required, but individuals may elect to attend up to three times.

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish in two to three years.

Required core courses go over the key concepts of and issues facing print and electronic media, research methods used in journalism and U.S. media laws and ethics.

Media management courses

As you begin your emphasis area, you’ll gain a broader picture of media management through courses covering:

  • Communication law, particularly regarding libel, privacy and access for print, broadcast and other media
  • Advanced investigative reporting and collaborating with the public
  • Engaging with your community as a journalist, including for social media and audience outreach
  • Economic changes in news media and their influence on content monetization
  • Management and leadership in relation to evolving media technologies
  • Conflict management, resolution and organizational behavior strategies
  • Mass and interpersonal communication theories
  • Communication in media organizations, from leadership through human resources and financial decision-making

Review all courses for the online master’s in media management.

Delivery

Blended, one campus visit required

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2 or 3 years

Typical course load

1 or 2 classes each semester

Earn a dual master’s degree

With this program, you can concurrently earn a masters of public health with an emphasis in:

The programs have separate applications and require a minimum of 12 hours of shared 8000-level or above graduate credit. Learn more about the academic process for dual master’s degree students at the Mizzou Graduate School website.

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

If you are determined, you'll truly get a top-notch education.
MA ’19
Lu Ann Cahn-Houser, MA in Journalism ’19.
Even though you’re getting your degree online, you’re getting Mizzou’s brand of this very highly respected journalism program. I was impressed with my professors all along the way. I was learning in a new way. I was really being challenged.
MA ’19

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Missouri School of Journalism