Top Master’s in Sports Journalism Programs
Americans love sports. We spend tons of money on them, too: In 2017, Statista reported that nearly 56 billion U.S. dollars went to sporting events. Even today –– when inflation has a chokehold on our wallets –– 33% of people in the U.S. are willing to go into debt to attend a big game, according to CNBC.
Our love for sports is fueled, in part, by the skilled journalists who cover them.
Sports journalists introduce us to the players who become our heroes. They inspire us to root for the underdogs. They highlight the drama of wins and losses, investigate the inner workings of sports organizations, and provide play-by-play analysis of every game. Sports journalism is also one of the top 10 jobs in sports.
If you want to get paid to obsess over the teams you love, check out these great online master’s programs in sports journalism.
What Is Sports Journalism?
Sports journalists cover sports-related topics, events, and stories. It requires all the same skills that traditional journalism demands, including:
- Interviewing
- Researching
- Reporting
- Writing
- Digital media
- Video journalism
A great sports journalist must also have a passion for sports and a knack for building connections with important people in the industry.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
3 Top Schools for Sports Journalism
These three schools have the best sports journalism programs around.
Arizona State University
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University offers a top-notch master’s degree in sports journalism. The program is held in downtown Phoenix.
Students can expect to develop wide-ranging multimedia and sports reporting skills through intensive coursework and immersive, hands-on training. Study abroad options are available. ASU’s program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Credit Hours: 36
- Delivery format: In person
- Estimated Tuition and fees (Arizona residents): $13,389 per academic year
- Estimated Tuition and fees (non-residents): $35,303 per academic year
Applying to ASU
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must submit the following:
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- 300-500 word personal statement
- Resume
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
IUPUI offers a master of arts in sports journalism through the Department of Journalism and Public Relations in the School of Liberal Arts. This program is a good fit for folks just graduating from college, professionals with existing experience, or people looking to change careers.
The IUPUI program has long-established partnerships with high-profile sports organizations and news bureaus, which means students get opportunities to cover major sporting events locally, nationally, and around the world.
- Credit Hours: 30 credit hours (no thesis required)
- Delivery Format: Online, hybrid, or on IUPUI’s downtown Indianapolis campus
- Estimated Tuition and Fees (Indiana residents): $10,820 per academic year
- Estimated Tuition and Fees (non-residents): $31,544 per academic year
Applying to IUPUI
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must submit the following:
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- GRE scores (unless the applicant already has a post-graduate degree)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Northwestern University
The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Illinois offers a premier, STEM-designated graduate program in journalism. Students can choose to specialize in sports media, where they will learn to lead the pack in on-the-field reporting and behind-the-scenes analysis.
Northwestern’s MS in journalism is a one-year program that provides students with real-world reporting experience and extensive professional training. With an alumni network of over 18,000 media professionals around the world, students will graduate with a strong support network to help them succeed.
- Credit Hours: 30-36
- Delivery Format: In-person at the downtown Chicago campus
- Estimated Tuition and Fees: $36,819 per academic year
Applying to Northwestern
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and must submit the following:
- Academic transcripts
- Admissions interview
- GRE or GMAT (optional)
- Test scores for English language proficiency (if required)
- Resume
- Essays
- Work samples (optional)
- Application fee
The ROI of a Sports Journalism Degree
It’s important to consider the return on investment for any degree: Does the payoff justify the expense?
Journalists aren’t exactly famous for making a lot of money — so take some time to weigh how much the degree will cost and whether you’ll be able to pay off your student loans when you graduate and get a job.
Average Annual Salary by Experience: Sports Journalist
1-4 years
$44,000*
5-9 years
$51,000*
10-19 years
$85,000*
Accreditation for Journalism Schools
The duty of any good journalist is to report the truth accurately and with integrity. Earning your sports journalism degree from an accredited program is a sign to employers that you can be trusted to do high-quality work.
Journalism programs are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
ACEJMC awards accreditation to programs that meet quality standards with regard to different factors, including institutional uniqueness, curriculum, faculty, student outcomes, services and resources, diversity and inclusion, and public service.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Paying for Your Master’s Degree
You do have some options when it comes to financing your master’s degree. Start by investigating what financial aid is available to you, including:
Scholarships
Typically awarded based on need or merit and don’t have to be paid back.Fellowships
Usually intended to further a specific area of research and may come with special obligations or requirements.Grants
Usually provided by the government or outside organizations to help cover education costs for students in financial need.Loans
Loans may be public or private and must be repaid — usually with interest.
Journalism Grants and Scholarships You May Qualify For
- ACES Scholarship: $3,500
- Alliance For Women in Media (AFWM) Scholarships: $2,500-$5,000
- Pulitzer Center Reporting Grants and Fellowships: Awards vary
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Journalism Programs
Some sports journalists get paid pretty well: According to Payscale, the top 10% of earners in the field make over $130,000 a year on average.
But newcomers and mid-career sports journalists can expect to make between $44,000 and $51,000 a year.
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