UST to offer MA in Journalism

The University of Santo Tomas will offer a master’s degree in Journalism beginning Academic Year 2015-2016.

The program aims to position itself "as an international graduate journalism in education program that produces future journalism educators and scholars," UST said in a statement.

These educators and scholars are expected to "impart to practicing journalists renewed skills that can improve analysis and reportage, regardless of media platform," it added.

Courses like Communication Theory and Theories of the Press, Global Journalism Practice and Studies, Digital and Data Journalism and International Reporting will be in the program.

UST is considered Southeast Asia’s first journalism school, having first offered a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1932.

According to the statement, the programs will be presided by resident faculty members but there will also be professional experts who will be invited to handle other courses.

Interviewed by UST's student publication arm The Varsatarian, Graduate School Dean Marilou Madrunio PhD said professors of the school's Journalism undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Arts and Letters will also teach in the master's program since they are already qualified experts.

“The University will be able to keep its reputation in the field [by] putting together a program that leads to a master’s degree in Journalism,” she said.

In 2013, UST's Journalism program became a Center of Development after the Commission on Higher Education recognized its role in Philippine journalism despite lacking a graduate program. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News