North West University Chicago Journalism
Our History
Joseph P. Medill was a leading newspaper editor, publisher and politician. He was co-owner and managing editor of the Chicago Tribune, and served as mayor of Chicago. The Medill School of Journalism was dedicated on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus on Feb. 8, 1921. From 1921 to 1937, it was part of the School of Commerce, directed by Dean Ralph Heilman, although Harry F. Harrington served as the Director of Medill. In 1922 nine students made up Medill’s first graduating class.
Medill’s first dean was Kenneth E. Olson, who held that position from 1937 to 1957. The school’s longest-tenured dean was Ira W. Cole, who followed Olson and served from 1957 to 1983. Brad Hamm now serves as Medill’s eighth dean.
When Medill was first dedicated, the school operated out of Fayerweather Hall. It was not until 1954 that the school moved into Fisk Hall, where it continues to operate. Medill added a second building in 2002, when the McCormick Tribune Center was dedicated.
Medill offers its students a number of unique opportunities, many of which have been part of the school for decades. The Medill News Service in Washington, D.C., where students work as credentialed reporters on Capitol Hill, was started in 1966. In 1972 the school introduced its Teaching Newspaper Program (now called Journalism Residency), which allows undergraduate students to work full time as reporters at media outlets across the country.
Programmes
Graduate Programmes
Magazine Reporting and Writing
In the magazine reporting and writing storytelling method you’ll immerse yourself in learning how print and digital magazine content is assembled and published.
News Reporting and Writing
Students who focus on reporting tend to love the thrill of the chase and the process of gathering and discovering news and shaping stories.
Video Reporting and Broadcast
Whether you want to be on camera, involved in television production or do documentary work, video/broadcast could be the concentration for you.
Interactive Storytelling
Hone the technical and creative skills necessary to tell multi-platform stories, launch your own media business, contribute to the success of a startup team or become a leader in established media organizations.
Undergraduate Journalism
Medill has a long-standing reputation for journalism excellence. As the media industry undergoes unprecedented change, Medill leads the way. We train a new generation of multimedia journalists and communicators who will not only thrive in this evolving media landscape but also help shape it.
Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions is the source for information about applying to Medill’s BSJ program.
Application Deadlines
- November 1 – Early Decision
- January 1 – Regular Decision
Graduate Journalism
You know us as Medill, home to a premier graduate journalism program. Here you will learn enduring professional skills and values as well as new techniques essential to success in contemporary journalism. Medill students explore specific interests building upon a solid foundation in print, video and digital journalism, and graduates pursue careers both within the industry and in other professions.
Application Deadlines
- December 1, 2017: Summer 2018 (June start)
- January 15, 2018: Fall 2018 (September start)
Integrated Marketing Communications
Graduate education in IMC was invented at Medill, and the program continues to lead innovation in the field. Students work collaboratively with peers and top-tier global companies to gain strategic and quantitative skills, with an emphasis on analytics that inform consumer insights. Students develop skills across traditional and digital media in order to influence consumers and build business in today’s complex global marketplace.
Application Deadlines
- January 15: Full-time IMC (Fall start)
- July 1: Part-time IMC (Fall start)
- October 1: IMC Online (Winter start)
- January 1: IMC Online (Spring start)
- April 1: IMC Online (Summer start)
- July 1: IMC Online (Fall start)
Contact
Chicago Newsroom303 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60601
312-503-3800
312-503-1362 (fax) Evanston Campus
1845 Sheridan Road
Fisk Hall
Evanston, IL 60208
847-467-1882 Northwestern University in Qatar
Education City
Suite 3226, Carnegie Mellon Building
Doha, Qatar Washington Newsroom
1325 G Street NW, Suite 730
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-347-8700
202-662-1847 (fax)