In addition to equipping you with impressive writing and communication skills, a graduate degree in liberal arts will educate you in a variety of other fields.
Part of being a good journalist is having an understanding of history and how past and present events shape the world we live in.
A Master of Liberal Arts program includes a wide range of subjects, including:
- Political science
- Economics
- History
- Psychology, and
- Philosophy
With this knowledge base, you can develop a more well-rounded approach to your writing and draw upon multiple perspectives. Being exposed to different disciplines helps inform your reporting by allowing you to make connections between different topics and ideas.
Additionally, having an understanding of the complexities of different cultures and societies gives you the ability to form your own opinions on current events while providing readers with more expansive insight into news stories.
Building a Network of Contacts
Building a professional network is an essential part of being a journalist.
While earning your graduate degree in liberal arts from Tulane SoPA, you’ll be taught by experienced journalists who can help guide you toward career success and, after graduation, become a vital contact.
You will also be introduced to other like-minded individuals in your classes looking to make their stamp on the journalism industry. Your fellow students will be your first professional contacts upon graduating — helping you to navigate the job market and find leads for stories.
Other benefits of building a professional network while earning your graduate degree include:
- Sharing knowledge and ideas with peers and seasoned professionals
- Access to competitive education, training, and employment opportunities
- Finding the right sources for specific news
- Opportunities to learn from industry leaders
Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking skills are essential for aspiring journalists, as being able to ask the right questions and draw insightful conclusions from various angles are key components of successful investigative reporting.
Graduate degrees in liberal arts can equip you with the skills to think critically about different topics, as the degree covers a broad range of humanities and social sciences.
This wide-ranging curriculum helps to broaden your perspectives and encourages you to think outside of the box when approaching new stories or ideas.
These types of degrees also tend to require high-level research papers that not only challenge you to analyze data but also force you to be creative when presenting your findings.
As such, having an advanced liberal arts degree enables you to have an understanding of world events with an objective outlook which can help make you a better, more hirable journalist.
Improving Career Prospects
According to an employment projections report conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning a graduate degree can increase your earning potential and give you upward mobility in your career.
Earning your Master of Liberal Arts degree increases your employability, as you’ll develop effective communication, creative thinking, and critical reasoning skills — all of which are heavily sought out in newsrooms across the globe.
Graduate degrees can also help you be a fit for a broader range of options than those with only a bachelor's degree.
A graduate degree in liberal arts makes you a prime candidate for positions such as:
- Content manager
- Social media manager
- Data research analyst
- Newsroom editor
- Media relations manager, and
- Copy chief
A Master of Liberal arts degree also puts you on track to earn a doctorate — opening opportunities for you in professional academia and senior-level roles at advertising agencies, newspapers, and research institutions.
Learn More About the Graduate Degrees at Tulane SoPA
As how, where, and the frequency at which people across borders receive the news continues to evolve, the need for thoughtful, courageous journalists continues to rise.
In-depth journalism is the backbone of democracy and the people's weapon against the often heavy hand of power.
Are you ready for a rewarding career full of adventure?
The interdisciplinary Master of Liberal Arts degree at Tulane SoPA can prepare you to be a hard-nosed reporter equipped to chase down stories that affect the lives of everyday people.
Build your network and learn from industry professionals whose coursework is grounded in real-world scenarios.
Request more info to learn more about our graduate degrees.
