Focus of Study

The Graduate Program in Science Journalism at Boston University is dedicated to improving the understanding of science, medicine and technology worldwide. We strive to meet this goal by training students and veteran journalists to recognize, investigate, analyze and narrate scientific and medical findings, issues and concerns, focusing on the untangling of complexities and controversies for a lay audience.

Course Description

Boston University’s Science and Medical Journalism program offers an intense curriculum leading to a Master of Science degree, in which students develop the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive and rapidly evolving science communication industry. Although our emphasis is on writing, reporting, research, and analysis—the heart of all insightful and precise communication—students learn a variety of forms, including multimedia, radio, and documentary for both film and television.

The degree, awarded by the College’s Department of Journalism, comprises 40 credit hours taken over two semesters and a summer professional internship. In addition to courses within the program, students may take electives elsewhere in the College of Communication or in other colleges throughout the University, particularly in the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Public Health, or, in some cases, the School of Medicine. The classes within the program are small—usually eight to ten students—with an emphasis on professional-level reporting and writing.

A career in science and medical journalism offers a rewarding opportunity to explore and investigate any number of critical contemporary concerns—from medical and environmental policy to culture clashes and matters of social justice.