A doctoral program designed to further educate journalism professionals began last week at the Walter Cronkite School.
The three-year immersion program, which caters to mid-career professionals with substantial experience in the journalism field, began this semester with six full-time graduate students enrolled.
The Ph.D. program has been a long time coming, said Marianne Barrett, senior associate dean of the Cronkite School. It was on Dean Christopher Callahan’s list of goals when he came to ASU in 2005, and it has been under way since its approval two years ago.
Barrett emphasized that in order to be one of the best journalism schools in the country, the Cronkite School must incorporate doctoral studies along with strong undergraduate and master’s programs.
“I think (this program) really underscores all the strong things Cronkite is doing,” she said. “We’re constantly adding new programs. To be one of the premier journalism programs in the country, you have to stay on the cutting edge.”
The Cronkite School is the first institution in Arizona to offer a doctoral-studies program for journalists.
Janice Sweeter is one of the six doctoral candidates in the program and plans to study communication efforts of nonprofit organizations.
“First off, this is a very special Ph.D.,” said Sweeter, who received her bachelor’s degree in communications from ASU and a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University. “ASU has put a lot of effort towards supporting us as individuals, which makes me feel like part of the Cronkite family, which I value tremendously.”
Sweeter said she was excited to be a member of the first doctoral cohort at the Cronkite School.
“I’ve always valued education along with work experience, and the fact that it’s new makes me feel like a pioneer,” she said.
Callahan said the school’s faculty contributes to the program’s uniqueness, as does the diverse group of students.
“We’re really pleased with this cohort,” Callahan said. “It’s very diverse geographically, intellectually and professionally … they’re really going to add richly to the school and to the University.
Contact the reporter at amanda.ames@asu.edu
