The future of media: ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The future of media

Moving media forward

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University transforms media for tomorrow. With campuses in three cities and a worldwide network of professionals, scholars, students and alumni, Cronkite is more than a school: It’s a movement to change how media is produced and consumed for a complex global future. Here, analysts mine audience insights; journalists report award-winning stories; strategists design successful campaigns;

creators produce impactful content; and scholars conduct research that drives change. Cronkite is where communities and companies turn for help solving society’s most pressing communication challenges, and where students thrive in immersive, customizable learning experiences that launch meaningful careers in a wide range of fields. Inside the nation’s most innovative university, the Cronkite School empowers change-makers and inspires success.

Cronkite prepared me to be the reporter I am today, and helped me secure a job in TV months before I graduated.

Conor McGill, ’23 BA Sports Journalism

World-class academics

With bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees designed for impact, the Cronkite School prepares learners to drive change across the media industries and within our communities.

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Strategic communication

Solve business challenges through impactful content campaigns.

Journalism

Report and produce high-impact stories that build communities and connection.

Sports media

Transform a passion for sports into a career that engages audiences at every level.

Media literacy

Examine media accuracy, ethics and trust, and how information impacts society.

Digital marketing

Develop, engage and grow audiences and customers across the digital landscape.

Immersive media

Create content in augmented, virtual and extended reality.

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Mass communication

Build a rewarding career as a media leader in any industry.

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Championing inclusion

Digital strategy Communication Sports reporting Content creation Investigation

At ASU, we are measured not by whom we exclude, but whom we include, and how they succeed. Cronkite promotes civility and inclusivity in our classrooms and in our work.

Immersive media Video production Social media

Photojournalism Narrative writing News producing Media literacy Public relations

Your launchpad for media innovation

How can we deliver news the public trusts? How can we tell stories that audiences don’t just read or watch, but feel? What messages really resonate with audiences, and what makes an influencer influential? The media industry turns to the Cronkite School for answers to these questions and more. Together, students and faculty collaborate to ideate solutions, road-test innovations in technology and technique, enable stronger audience connectivity and drive the media in exciting new directions.

“Cronkite students don’t just get jobs; they make them. As a media entrepreneur and professor, I help students create businesses that generate revenue before they graduate.”

Eli Chmouni, faculty Media Entrepreneurship

“The faculty’s guidance, hands-on learning and exposure to cutting-edge technology not only enriched my skills but shaped my perspective as an XR creator.”

Cameron Kostopoulos, ’23 MA Narrative and Emerging Media

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Where dreams come true

In our Los Angeles studios, students drive media innovation and bring their visions to life with virtual reality, augmented reality and other immersive storytelling techniques.

“A strong democracy relies on robust and open media systems. Our research and teaching in misinformation and media literacy gives people the tools to navigate the information environment for themselves and, more importantly, help others build resiliency and develop healthy media habits.”

Kristy Roschke, faculty Media Literacy

“We give students the skills to tell stories in augmented and virtual reality, to code apps, and to launch innovative communication businesses that help the public navigate a rapidly evolving world.”

Retha Hill, faculty Immersive Media

Faculty who drive change

Our renowned media scholars and accomplished industry professionals do more than teach: They lead by example. Cronkite School faculty members are sought-after experts, known across the media landscape as award-winning writers, producers, columnists, content creators and researchers. Their experience and insights enrich the student experience, serve communities around the world, and drive the media industries forward.

“Students emerge fully equipped for careers in digital marketing, strategic communications and fields they’ve never thought of before!

Abby Zufelt, faculty Digital Marketing

Immersive learning experiences

Cronkite students thrive in media jobs because they do the jobs before they graduate. The Cronkite School’s “teaching hospital” model of education prepares students through hands-on instruction and real-world training, and immersive courses that double as professional experiences.

Capstone experiences

Students activate their knowledge and skills (and build their portfolios) in hands-on capstone courses inside newsroom, agency and content creation experiences, on campus and online.

Impactful internships

The Cronkite School connects students to endless internship opportunities in media, communications, journalism and marketing, and provides support every step of the way.

Global opportunities

Students broaden their media experience and their perspectives via travel on international reporting trips, cross-cultural research projects and Study Abroad programs, and on campus through international speakers and courses taught with global partner universities.

Real experiences. Real impact.

Carnegie-Knight News21

This national reporting initiative brings top students from across the country to report and produce in-depth, multimedia projects for major media outlets, including The Washington Post, NBC News and USA Today.

Sports Media

In our Sports Bureau, students cover the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB and more; meanwhile, Agency students produce campaigns for the Fiesta Bowl, and production students stream live collegiate sports for the world to see.

Video Production and Graphics Lab

Students gain hands-on experience in studio production, building creative motion graphics, directing shows and producing newscasts and special projects.

L.A. Content Studio

Content creators cultivate (and monetize) their own media brands and drive growth for clients in this strategic content creation experience, only in our Los Angeles studios.

Immersive Media

Students develop skills in emerging media technology and discover new ways to tell compelling stories that can be experienced, including augmented, virtual and extended reality productions to gaming and documentary projects.

Howard Center for Investigative Journalism

Howard Center students produce investigative projects of national impact. Their award-winning work is published and distributed by newsrooms across the country.

Cronkite Agency

This integrated communications firm drives results for clients with public relations, digital marketing, brand content and bilingual engagement campaigns.

Personalized pathways

At the Cronkite School, students customize their degrees by choosing courses, disciplines, travel opportunities and student groups that nurture the connections and careers they seek.

Cronkite students choose electives and experiences that give them the versatile toolkit of skills and competencies employers want.

... or Specialize

Students select from a variety of electives, minors, focus areas and programs, and dig deep into specialties, skills or storytelling approaches they love.

Clubs and Organizations

Students connect and further develop their skills in hundreds of clubs and student media organizations across ASU.

Study Abroad

Students gain global perspectives in semester long study abroad programs and just-forCronkite international experiences.

Study Away

Spend a semester at our Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles locations, complete an internship in a new city or travel the nation on a special content assignment.

Phoenix Los Angeles Washington, D.C.

MAP-MARKER-ALT Choose where you learn

Our students live, work and study all over the world! Cronkite is headquartered on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, steps from the city’s newsrooms, agencies and pro sports teams. Campuses in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and online means #CronkiteNation is wherever you are.

Photo: ASU California Center, Los Angeles

Where will Cronkite take you?

Each Cronkite student travels their own unique journey to their dream media career.

Cronkite News helped me develop all the skills needed to walk into NBC News confident that I could meet the demands of producing for a national news network.

Played flute, danced, did musical theater, spent two years on the golf team and worked on the yearbook in high school.

Pursued a bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in women and gender studies, and the accelerated master’s program.

I never dreamed I’d get to live and work abroad.

Took yearbook classes— and a memorable trip to Disneyland—in high school.

Excelled in a campaigns course and three internships; earned Cronkite’s Aspire Award recognizing student achievement in public relations.

My role at NBC mixes the art of storytelling and the science of marketing.

Loved his first-year high school writing course; joined the student newspaper.

Focused his bachelor’s degree in journalism on broadcast reporting and production, with coursework on data analysis.

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Spent four semesters as a producer in Cronkite News.

Completed a master’s thesis on theme parks, and earned a Master of Mass Communication degree.

Started with Disney Parks in Los Angeles as a communications coordinator before taking on global projects in public relations and corporate communications in California and Paris.

Developed social media strategy for the NFL, NHL, Olympics, NASCAR and others in the NBC Sports Group portfolio.

Led digital content at WJLATV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C.

Moved to New York City and rotated through the NBC News Division, including stints at Dateline and MSNBC.

Vice President of Social Media, NBC Universal and NBC Sports Communication Manager, Disneyland Paris Producer, Weekend TODAY

Justin Karp

Tayllor Lillestol

Maya Patrose

Start strong, stay strong

Arizona State University and the Cronkite School have entire teams committed to student success, offering support and resources to ensure students thrive in their ASU careers and beyond.

Career development

Our team connects Cronkite students and graduates with internships and job opportunities in Phoenix, across the U.S. and around the world.

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Health and wellness

ASU students can access wellness resources such as the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, comprehensive health care and free counseling services.

Mentorship

Students can find mentors throughout the media industries via Cronkite’s vast mentorship network.

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Faculty connections

Students can drop in, discuss class concepts, get feedback on a project or talk about career options with Cronkite professors.

Tutoring

ASU offers free tutoring and writing assistance to help students catch up and excel in their classes.

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Student accessibility

All ASU learners receive free accessibility services that connect students with disabilities to learning accommodations and support.

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Financial support

The generosity of alumni and partners makes the Cronkite School possible for hundreds of students each year. Scholarships, fellowships and other financial support are available, and Cronkite’s dedicated financial counselor helps connect students to solutions.

Social Careers start here

Cronkite School students put their experience to work — literally — with support and guidance from our Career and Professional Development Team. Our services enable students to explore a range of professional opportunities and discover their place in the future of media.

Career connections

We connect students with internship, fellowship and job opportunities around the globe.

Professional development

Our professional branding and career planning services help students put their best foot forward.

Lifelong support

No matter how long ago students graduated, Cronkite supports their career development.

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Mentorship

Students find personal career support through a dedicated mentorship program that connects them with professionals in their field.

Recruiters

The media industry turns to the Cronkite School to find top talent. Recruiters visit the school (on campus and virtually) several times each year.

Senior Video Producer and Host, POLITICO

During her time at the Cronkite School, Jackie interned at CBS radio, worked as a studio manager at Arizona PBS, and hosted Blaze Radio’s first-ever country music show. After graduation, she worked as a multimedia journalist and anchor at WTAJ in State College, Pa., before taking on new roles in PR and video production. Today, she’s an award-winning video producer and host for POLITICO in Washington, D.C.

Social Media Manager, Food Network

Gabriela started her food blog, Gourmet Gab, in her first year at the Cronkite School, where she studied broadcast journalism. Today, she’s a social media manager at Food Network, where she creates scrumptious digital content, hosts videos and develops recipes. At ASU, she also was part of Barrett, The Honors College, and later attended the Institute of Culinary Education.

The MS in Digital Audience Strategy was an incredible academic experience and gave me industry-relevant skills to become a social media entrepreneur and take my career to the next level.

Stephen McDowell

Founder, Fanaka

While earning his MS in Digital Audience Strategy, Stephen completed a project in his media entrepreneurship course. That project is now Fanaka, a social media consulting firm that supports small businesses in Los Angeles. Stephen also works for KKJZ-FM and KKGOFM, producing social media content for the radio stations’ live events.

Jackie Padilla

Gabriela Rodiles

Cronkite’s countless opportunities allowed me to explore the sports industry, which helped me not only gain experience, but find what I really wanted to do!

A bilingual content creator with a passion for sports, Patty helps manage the L.A. Rams’ social media accounts. At the Cronkite School, she worked in the Phoenix Sports Bureau and the Los Angeles Sports Bureau and was a member of the Walter Cronkite Sports Network and the Association of Women in Sports Media. She earned a BA in Sports Journalism with a minor in Spanish.

Anchor, ESPN’s SportsCenter

Matt joined ESPN in 2013, after more than a decade of broadcast reporting jobs in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Dallas. The Cronkite School Alumni Hall of Fame member is a “SportsCenter:AM” anchor, co-hosts a golf podcast and calls college football games for the network. Matt has earned 11 Emmy awards and three Edward R. Murrow journalism awards.

At ASU, Lindsey majored in journalism and Spanish, and studied abroad in Alicante, Spain; she worked as a reporter and anchor for Cronkite News, where she co-anchored the program’s weekly broadcast. She then became an multimedia journalist in El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix before joining MSNBC as an anchor and correspondent, where she now covers the biggest stories across the country and in the nation’s capital.

Anchor, MSNBC

Associate Manager of Social Media, Los Angeles Rams

Patty Vicente

Lindsey Reiser

Matt Barrie

The Cronkite School works to solve society’s most pressing challenges and fosters immersive learning experiences that launch meaningful careers across the media fields and beyond. Inside the nation’s most innovative university, the Cronkite School empowers change-makers and inspires success.