Produce watchdog journalism that makes an impact.
The Journalism School offers an exclusive track for students looking to specialize in investigative reporting. Additionally, it offers many classes that incorporate investigative skills and techniques and are open to all students.
Overview
Teaching investigative skills is a core mission of the Journalism School. All students in the M.S. and M.A. programs learn the tools and methods of investigative journalism. M.S. candidates can also apply to The Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. In addition to the regular M.S. curriculum, Stabile students take investigative reporting classes throughout the school year and are given financial and editorial support to complete ambitious projects.
M.S. and M.A. students are required to take an investigative class in the fall (see Classes below). Those in the M.S. program can also opt to take an investigative seminar in the spring, where students work in groups, each investigating a single topic for 15 weeks. These seminars range from investigating health care to investigating armies and spies, and doing cross-border investigations with data.
In order to graduate with a specialization in investigative journalism, students must apply to the Stabile Center as part of their application for admission to the school.
Classes
No student graduates from J-School master's programs without a foundation in investigative journalism. M.A. students take a 15-week M.A. Essentials class that includes the basics of data and investigative reporting. A seven-week Investigative Techniques class focused on using public records and data for reporting is mandatory for M.S. students. In addition, M.S. students can choose from a menu of classes with a strong investigative element.
The following are mandatory investigative reporting classes for master's students:
M.A. Essentials (mandatory for all M.A. students)
Investigative techniques are key to 21st century journalism. Students learn the best ways to comb public records, conduct internet forensics and do thorough background searches on individuals and corporations. They gain an understanding of cutting-edge concepts in data journalism and how to employ them in coverage of their concentrations. Multiple instructors teach sections of this class.
Professors: Justin Elliot, Tom McGinty, Olga Pierce, Chris Weaver
Investigative Techniques for Journalists (mandatory for all M.S. students)
This class aims to ground students in some of the fundamental tools of investigative reporting: How to obtain and analyze public records and data; get information about individuals and groups using a variety of sources; use social media for reporting and verification; and evaluate scholarly literature. Multiple instructors teach sections of this class.
Professors: Robert Faturechi, Kim Kleman, Kristen Lombardi, Tom McGinty, Tom Meagher, Charles Ornstein, Deborah Sontag, Chris Weaver, Tracy weber.
The following are 15-week classes available to all master's students:
Please note: The classes listed here represent recent offerings at the Journalism School. Choices vary each semester depending on faculty availability and other considerations. Except for the mandatory courses, some of these classes may change or be dropped to make room for new additions.
Student Work
Faculty
Steve Coll
Professor of Journalism; Dean Emeritus
Sheila Coronel
Toni Stabile Professor of Professional Practice in Investigative Journalism; Director, Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism
Giannina Segnini
Professor of Professional Practice of Journalism
Denise Ajiri
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Kim Barker
Adjunct Faculty
Walt Bogdanich
Adjunct Faculty
Justin Elliott
Adjunct Faculty
Robert Faturechi
Adjunct Faculty
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Adjunct Faculty
Ellen Gabler
Adjunct Faculty
Lila Hassan
Associate of Journalism/Adjunct
Adiel Kaplan
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Kim Kleman
Adjunct Faculty
Michael LaForgia
Adjunct Faculty
Tamar Lewin
Adjunct Faculty
Tom Meagher
Adjunct Faculty
James Mintz
Adjunct Faculty
Ese Olumhense
Adjunct Faculty
Charles Ornstein
Adjunct Faculty
Matt Rocheleau
Adjunct Faculty
Deborah Sontag
Adjunct associate professor
Christopher Weaver
Adjunct Faculty