We are happy to report that the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents has approved the changes to our program. Starting in fall 2008, the program's name will be the Master of Arts in Health Journalism & Communication. Our curriculum changes, including the development of separate emphasis areas in Health Journalism and Health Communication have been approved.

Details about new curriculum

Read bios of our current students

All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or its foreign equivalent. Some professional experience in journalism, communication, or health or science fields is a plus, but not a requirement.

Applications are evaluated in what's known as a "rolling admissions" process. In other words, applications are evaluated and a decision is made, usually within one month after the application is complete. So you don't have to wait until next spring to find out whether you have been admitted. This policy means that the sooner you submit a completed application, the sooner you will find out whether you have been admitted to the program.

Departmental application materials include:

• Departmental application form
• Statement of objectives
• Transcripts from each institution attended at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• GRE general test scores, unless exempted by the Director of Graduate Studies*
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a current or previous employer who can verify your professional experience or from a faculty member familiar with your educational experiences
• A writing sample of no more than three clips
• TOEFL scores, if appropriate**

In addition, applicants are required to complete a Graduate School application.

Applications must be submitted to both the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

All applicants will need to review the following forms:

Application directions

SJMC application

Graduate School online application

* The only situation in which a GRE waiver would be considered is if you have already earned another advanced degree or if you have many years of relevant experience in journalism or in some aspect of public health, medicine or science.  To apply for a GRE waiver, send an e-mail with an explanation of your educational background and work experience to the Director of Graduate Studies, Gary Schwitzer, at schwitz@umn.edu.

** All international applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper/pencil) or 250 (computer) to be considered for admission.