Journalism at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The programme prepares students for traditional, innovative and emerging media, combining classroom, experiential and collaborative learning with research and specialty centers. The School of Journalism has been accredited continuously since 1949.

Faculty: College of Communication Arts and Sciences (School of Journalism) | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Thematic areas include writing, reporting and editing, broadcast journalism, environment, science and health, international reporting, sports journalism, media design, photojournalism and information graphics. Optional minors include public relations, documentary production, and entrepreneurship and innovation.

Career pathways

Graduates work as writers, reporters, broadcasters, filmmakers, social media specialists and digital journalists at organizations such as National Geographic, NPR, ESPN and BuzzFeed.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Michigan State University first-year applicants (all majors): no minimum GPA or test score is set and admission is competitive; ACT/SAT is optional. Middle 50% of enrolled first-year students (Fall 2026): high school GPA 3.5 to 4.0, ACT composite 25 to 31, SAT total 1100 to 1320. Recommended high school courses: 4 years English, 3 years mathematics (2 algebra, 1 geometry), 3 years social studies, 2 years science, 2 years of one world language. Early action and maximum scholarship consideration deadline: November 1.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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