MA Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master's of Arts program in investigative journalism prepares you to launch high-level investigative reporting careers at the world's most prestigious news organizations. This program is designed for career switchers who have experience in fields such as law, health, business, government and the arts, and for early-career and mid-career journalists who want to develop specialization in investigative techniques.

Faculty: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication | Department: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm | Duration: 33 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

33 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570) Required Core (12 credit hours) MCO 503 Media Law (3) MCO 510 Data Journalism (3) MCO 525 Media Ethics Leadership (3) MCO 554 Media Models, Organizations and Leadership (3) Other Requirements (9 credit hours) MCO 502 Multimedia Storytelling (8) MCO 504 Cronkite Master's Seminar (1) Electives (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) MCO 570 Capstone (6) Additional Curriculum Information Students must complete a total of eight credit hours of MCO 502, which is offered at variable credit hours and can be taken multiple times.

Career pathways

Investigative reporting is in high demand in news organizations of all sizes, and graduates of Cronkite's MA program in investigative journalism are particularly prepared to excel in these positions, applying experience with investigative reporting techniques, data analysis and immersive storytelling using text, photo, video and audio content.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any discipline or related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation professional resume letter of intent proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants should have a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 5, or a score of 100 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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