By the Numbers: Aim 2: Advancing the Field by Bridging Research and Practice in Our Graduate Programs

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications continues to evolve its graduate programs to bridge the gap between academic research and professional practice. Over the past three years, the college has made significant strides in curriculum development, student engagement and faculty training, ensuring that graduate students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex media landscape. 

A major focus has been on expanding graduate program offerings to meet industry demands. The college successfully launched two 4+1 master’s programs, allowing undergraduate students to seamlessly transition into graduate education and complete both degrees within five years. This initiative provides a more accessible pathway to advanced education while strengthening retention within the college. In addition, the faculty approved a new graduate certificate in sports media and communication, which will launch in fall 2025, further broadening the scope of graduate-level coursework. Certificate programs continue to be developed based on industry demand, ensuring that students gain specialized expertise in high-growth areas. 

The long-term vision of establishing a doctoral program for working professionals has made steady progress. Following an external market analysis, the proposed Ph.D. curriculum was vetted by consultants, confirming that the program would fill a significant gap in the academic and professional landscape. While the proposal continues to move through the approval process, the college has taken steps to optimize existing graduate programs by improving course rotation schedules and expanding online course offerings. Ensuring that students can plan their coursework efficiently has been a key priority, as has increasing faculty participation in online teaching training to enhance the quality of digital learning. 

The college has also prioritized improving the graduate student experience, implementing measures to strengthen advising, on-boarding and degree completion support. A dedicated Canvas course for online graduate students was developed, providing guidance on major program milestones, policies and best practices for navigating coursework. In parallel, a graduate exit survey was launched to collect data on student experiences and identify areas for improvement. Recognizing the critical role of mentorship, the college has worked toward formalizing a professional advising approach for graduate students.  

While securing additional graduate assistantships remains a priority, the college has successfully restored the number of funded graduate assistantships to 12 in 2024, following a decline to nine in 2022-2023. This rebound was made possible through grant funding secured by faculty, reinforcing the college’s commitment to supporting graduate students. Efforts to expand research assistantships continue, recognizing the vital role graduate students play in faculty-led research projects and the overall academic mission of the college. 

Graduate enrollment has steadily declined in recent years, dropping from a peak of 90 students in 2021-2022 to 42 in 2024. In response, the college launched a comprehensive graduate program review in spring 2024, incorporating faculty and alumni surveys, input from the Dean’s Advisory Board, and a faculty task force charged with making recommendations for the program’s future. Additionally, the college engaged Jacht Agency to develop a promotional campaign, including targeted digital advertising, to boost applications and reinvigorate enrollment efforts. 

Looking ahead, the college is focused on stabilizing and revitalizing its graduate program through the recommendations of the faculty task force, insights from the Dean’s Advisory Board, and strategic recruitment efforts. Ensuring faculty teaching online courses receive pedagogical training remains a priority, alongside strengthening industry partnerships and securing sustainable funding for graduate assistantships. As the program evolves, the college remains committed to preparing graduate students as both scholars and professionals who can apply research-driven insights to address real-world challenges in media and communication.