The master's program in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism responds to a critical need for journalists trained to tell compelling stories that illuminate the complex relationship between nature and society. Our graduate students work with world-class science and journalism faculty to produce cutting-edge stories in a spectacular physical and academic setting.
Set in the heart of the Northern Rockies, surrounded by wilderness, forests, rivers and national parks, the University hosts interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Studies, Climate Change Studies, and Natural Resources Conflict Resolution. Together with journalism's new graduate focus, these programs draw from disciplines ranging from the hard sciences to geography, ethics and the law to create a dynamic intellectual community concerned with understanding the relationship between humanity and the earth.
UM is also home to the internationally acclaimed College of Forestry and Conservation, with programs studying ecosystem management, forestry, wildlife biology, and the interaction of society and nature, from research facilities in space, in forests and rangelands, and on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the western United States.
Beyond their practical training and research in environmental journalism, our students choose courses from an array of subjects reflecting The University of Montana's commitment to the conservation of nature and the well-being of humanity.
They produce print and photo stories, multi-media projects, web and broadcast documentaries that address global as well as regional issues like wilderness policy, environmental health, endangered species, forestry and mining practices, and the management of public lands, climate change and natural resources.
Our graduates will find work everywhere that journalists are working today and in the future, from traditional news media to online news organizations, nonprofits, government agencies and educational institutions. The practical skills and special knowledge they acquire in Montana will expand the venues for them to practice their craft.
We want applicants with degrees or professional experience in journalism. We also seek applicants with undergraduate degrees in science, environmental studies and natural resource issues who are willing to take foundational journalism courses to qualify for admission to the program. Similarly, journalists without a background in the sciences may have to take foundational science courses that will not count toward the degree.
| Program | Degree Offered |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism | M.A. |
Requirements
Students working toward the 36-credit degree must successfully complete:
6 credits of professional project work in journalism.
Required journalism courses:
Required non-journalism courses:
Students are required to successfully complete 12 credits of approved non-journalism courses relevant to the coverage of natural resource issues or environmental science. Registration in such courses is subject to availability, prerequisites and consent of instructor.
To help students in their choices, we've assembled a list of potential courses, divided into specialties. Students are not limited to the courses on this list, and they may select courses from each specialty. We've contacted department heads or instructors for permission to advertise each course on this list.
General studies:
Policy studies:
Science studies:
Analysis & Representation studies:
FOR 503 - GIS Methods and Applications
All students must produce a professional project, a work of journalism suitable for online dissemination at reputable, credible Web sites. The work must represent an original and in-depth contribution to the public knowledge of environmental science and natural resource issues, subject to the approval of a faculty project committee. Students may choose to produce one large, documentary-style project or three shorter but thematically related pieces.
Project committees must include a chair and reviewer chosen from the School of Journalism faculty and a faculty member from another school or department.
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.
All applicants must apply through the online process established by the Graduate School. Beyond the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must submit a resume, a statement of interest and five samples of their professional or academic writing. Applicants with a background in broadcast, photo or multimedia journalism must submit samples of such work as well.
In addition, applicants must:
Show evidence of strong interest and potential in the field of journalism.
Environmental issues must be addressed around the world, which is why we highly encourage qualified international students to apply.
The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam may substitute for the GRE under the following conditions: TOEFL scores must be at least 600 (paper-based exam), at least 250 (computer-based exam) or at least 100 (Internet-based exam); IELTS scores must be at least 7.0; MELAB scores must be at least 82.
Due to journalism's necessary emphasis on language skills, applicants for whom English is not the native language may be asked to successfully complete an interview in English with the program director.
All international applicants should make themselves familiar with the Graduate School's policies regarding international students.
See information in the International Admission section on this web site.
For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.
The School of Journalism offers at least two graduate teaching assistantships each academic year. TAs assist faculty in a variety of ways, including researching class materials, grading assignments, delivering lectures and leading labs and discussion groups. The assistantships are available only to students admitted to full-time (nine-credit) graduate status by the Graduate School. Full-time TAs work approximately 15 hours per week for 15 weeks each fall and spring semester. In addition to their salaries, TAs receive a tuition waiver and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Students must reapply each semester for their assistantships. Both current and incoming graduate students are urged to apply.
To be considered for an assistantship, please indicate your interest on the online application or by e-mail to the director of the journalism graduate program.
The School of Journalism offers several fellowships for graduate students. We encourage mentioning your interest in a specific fellowship in the letter that accompanies your Graduate School application.
Graduate students frequently receive other journalism scholarships awarded each spring at the Dean Stone banquet.
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Journalism |
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Campus Location
Don Anderson Hall, Room 201
Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
Don Anderson Hall 201
32 Campus Drive #0648
Missoula, MT 59812-0648
Office: (406) 243-4001
Fax: (406) 243-5369
Director of Graduate Studies
Henriette Löwisch
(406) 243-2227
Henriette.lowisch@umontana.edu
