Iowa to end professional master's program in journalism

University of Iowa officials plan to suspend admissions leading to termination of the current professional master's program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, officials told state regents Thursday.

The move comes on the heels of that program not being accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, due to low enrollment and not offering enough graduate-only courses. The change to that program will not impact other programs in the UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication, including the undergraduate program, a master's with thesis degree program and the doctoral program, officials told the regents.

The professional master's program is a two-year program requiring 30 to 35 semester hours of course work and successful completion of a master's project. A thesis is not required. The program prepares students for professional work in media communication with strengths in writing and journalism.

The 22 students enrolled in the program as of last spring will be able to finish, UI officials said. They hope to offer a revised master of journalism based in Iowa City but also offered online, perhaps with a specialization, such as political and public affairs journalism. There also is some discussion to offer a revamped professional master's program in the Des Moines area in conjunction with Iowa State University, UI officials said.