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This on-campus graduate program will begin in Fall 2020.
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Environmental Journalism Degree

A photo of a smokestack on the Master of Arts in Environmental Journalism degree page. Photo provided by Christopher Rolinson.

Prepare for a Career in Enterprise or Investigative Storytelling, Grounded in Environmental Sciences

Point Park University will offer a 36-credit Master of Arts in Environmental Journalism starting in Fall 2020. This unique new master's program combines practical communication and journalism courses with graduate-level environmental science instruction to equip storytellers with professional skills and expertise for the growing career options in the environmental field, including those in corporate relations, government relations, etc.

In a time when topics like climate change and pollution attract international media attention and corporate scrutiny, the new M.A. in environmental journalism empowers graduates to understand and effectively communicate the issues in a variety of fields. 

Behind-the-scenes photo of the filming of Downstream. Photo provided by Gina Catanzarite.

M.A. Program Equips Storytellers with Tools to Create a Professional Portfolio

The M.A. in environmental journalism program is designed for both budding and seasoned storytellers. Beginning day one, students have access to our state-of-the art facilities and the opportunity to work with some of the region's leading print and web-based journalism organizations that provide internships, networking and real-world experience.

Students Produce Award-Winning Film About Superfund Site on Upper Clark Fork River

Point Park University students traveled to Missoula, Mont., to document an ongoing clean-up of the Upper Clark Fork River, the largest Superfund site clean-up in the United States. The result of that effort is a 17-minute documentary entitled Superfund: Tailing History. Tailing refers to residue or waste materials left over after separating valuable ore, such as copper, from rock.

Superfund was featured at the:


Point Park University-Produced Film Premiers on WQED

Pennsylvania’s endangered watersheds are the focus of Downstream, a half-hour documentary produced by Point Park University students, in association with WQED Multimedia, and made possible through a grant from the Heinz Endowments.

Pittsburgh Quarterly Features Work of Point Park Students

Course Offerings

Students in the M.A. in environmental journalism program will thrive in a supportive environment of challenging courses, experienced faculty and small class sizes. Our evening classes to accomodate busy students include:

  • Writing/Editing in the Journalistic Style or Investigative Journalism
  • Communication Theory
  • Applied Mass Communication
  • Journalism Initiative I, II
  • Environmental Science I, II
  • Economics and the Environment
  • Politics and the Environment
  • Exploring Environment and Health Connection
  • Environmental Law
  • Environmental Communication
  • Electives to further your program of study

Faculty bring industry experience to the classroom

School of Communication faculty members are proven professionals with connections to top media and communication organizations.

Meet the faculty
Pictured is Steve Hallock, Ph.D.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Steve Hallock, Ph.D.
  • More than 25 years of professional experience in newspapers as an award-winning professional journalist
  • Published eight books as well as commentaries in newspapers that include The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  • Director, School of Communication graduate programs; teaches journalism classes 

Learn More

Point Park University is limiting the first cohort of applicants to 10 students. For questions and additional details about the Master of Arts in environmental journalism program, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at gradadmission@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3808. This program is generously sponsored by The Heinz Endowments.