Professional project students produce a substantive work of journalism suitable for publication in an established, reputable news medium. The work must represent an original and in-depth contribution to the public knowledge of environmental science and natural resource issues and is subject to the approval of a faculty project committee. Typically, it is presented as a long-form documentary (print, multimedia, radio or video), though multi-part series and stand-alone web projects are also acceptable.

The master’s project works particularly well for students who already have substantial experience in the journalistic profession; hope to use their graduate studies as a time to deeply explore a particular issue or topic, and/or plan to report their story internationally.

With this option, students develop their project proposal in their first semester, refine it over winter break and recruit a master’s committee by the end of their second semester. They sign up for at least 6 professional project credits (JRNL 599) during their third and fourth semester. They work closely with their committee chair and submit multiple drafts of their project before they defend it at the end of their second year in the program.