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Open Source Investigative Reporting


Open-Source Investigative Reporting Program Launches Fall 2025

Open-source reporting uses publicly available information to uncover data and the truth. Through our MA concentration in Open-Source Investigative Reporting, journalists with all levels of experience will learn how to discover, uncover, and report on information found on the Internet, social media, public databases, books, and periodicals. You will be given the tools to launch digital and visual investigations, an emerging field in which journalists analyze publicly available video, satellite imagery, social media networks, online databases and other data to produce in-depth, meaningful investigative work. This one-year program is offered in residence on our Memphis campus. Students begin the program in August and finish the following August — after completing courses in the fall and spring semesters, students will complete an internship with a news outlet to put their new skills to work. Funding is available through graduate assistantships and scholarships. Want to learn more? Email Dr. Robby Byrd, associate chair for graduate studies.
 

Core for all MA J+SM

  • JRSM 7002 - Pro Seminar (3 hours)
  • JRSM 7050 - Mass Comm Theory (3 hours)

Open-Source Investigative Reporting Course Requirements

  • JOUR 6183 - Open-Source Investigative Reporting (3 hours)
  • JRSM 7122 - Open-Source Investigative Bootcamp (3 hours)
  • JRSM 7124 - Data Journalism (3 hours)
  • JOUR 6185 - Social Justice Writing/Reporting (3 hours) OR JOUR 6180 - Public Issues Writing/Reporting (3 hours)
  • JRSM 7350 - Multimedia Reporting (3 hours) OR JRSM 7510 - Information Design (3 hours)
  • JRSM 6700 - Media Law (3 hours)
  • JRSM 7600 - Graduate Media Practicum (6 hours)