Journalism and Mass Communication

About this opportunity

As the nation's leading journalism and mass communication school, the Cronkite School attracts the nation's top students with professional, hands-on programs in digital media, news, sports media, public relations, digital marketing, media analytics, content creation and more. Employers turn to the Cronkite School for talent: They know our graduates are prepared to make and lead change.

Degree programs include: 

Journalism and Mass Communication, BA 

Sports Journalism, BA

Digital Audiences, BS

Mass Communication and Media Studies, BA 

Digital Media Literacy, BA 

Thesis

Completing an honors thesis is a culminating experience for all Barrett, The Honors College students. In the Cronkite School, students complete a thesis on a topic that interests them and stretches their skills, positioning them as thought leaders and attractive job candidates. Review the Cronkite Honors page for examples and steps. 

Examples of thesis projects include reporting projects, web sites, podcasts, radio or television productions, visual projects, and documentaries. Thesis projects will produce a written document that addresses the history and context of the topic and explains the development of the project and what was learned. The purpose is to provide context, methodology and reflection.

Cronkite students begin their theses by completing MCO302: Media Research Methods (Honors) in their third year, or at least one semester before they plan to complete their theses. In the course, students complete a review of academic research in a field of their choice that may inform or become part of their theses.

Then, after exploring the Thesis Resource Page, connecting with their Cronkite Faculty Honors Adviser (FHA), forming a thesis committee and submitting a prospectus, students complete and defend their thesis in the MCO493: Honors Thesis course.

Thesis directors must be full-time Cronkite faculty members. Full-time faculty, qualified faculty associates, or a faculty member from another department or school at ASU, or a professional with relevant expertise may serve as the second committee member. Student theses must be relevant to mass communication. For more information, visit the Cronkite Honors page.

Academic Preparation

To successfully complete a thesis through the Cronkite School, students must take the courses MCO302: Media Research Methods and then MCO493: Honors Thesis, each worth 3 credit hours. Students usually take these courses in their junior and/or senior years after completing Cronkite coursework relevant to the topic and the skills required for completion of the project or thesis. Students work closely with their directors to determine the scope and specifics of the work required during the two courses.

Recommended Timeline

Students typically begin work on their thesis projects in their junior year and complete the work in their senior year. Students can prepare by connecting with faculty, engaging in honors projects, internships and research, which generate future thesis topic ideas. 

Other Honors Opportunities

The Cronkite School offers honors sections of some required courses each semester. Honors sections include: 

JMC201: News Reporting and Writing 

JMC301 / JMC302: Intermediate Reporting and Writing 

MCO302: Media Research Methods

MCO398: Media Seminar

JMC402: Mass Communication Law 

JMC484: Internship (counts for honors credit with a grade of C or better)

When an honors section of a course is not available, students may be able to complete an honors enrichment contract to earn honors credit. Individual work is determined by the professor in consultation with the student and may range from papers and presentations to creative projects. Honors work can be related to the learning objectives of the course and extend the student’s overall learning.