Sportscasters experiencing frustration in the job market may wonder if a Masters degree from a broadcast journalism school could get them closer to a network-level play-by-play opportunity.
There are two benefits of getting a Masters degree from a broadcast journalism school.
Benefit #1: The affiliation with the school
If you have a school like Syracuse, Northwestern, or Arizona State on your resumé, it is meaningful and can be a door-opener.
Benefit #2: The alumni network
If you consume STAA content with some frequency, you know I believe that getting a job is more about who you know than what you know.
The benefits don’t outweigh the costs
With that being said, the benefits of a Masters degree from a renowned journalism school just don’t justify the time and money.
There are plenty of sportscasters working in the highest levels of the industry whose undergraduate degree isn’t even from one of the renowned schools.
Joe Davis got his degree from Beloit College. It’s a fine school, but it’s not one that is traditionally considered a producer of notable sports broadcasters.
Ultimately, it’s your ability, your network and your professionalism that matter more than having a Masters degree.
There is one exception: if you want to work in Sports Radio Management, having a journalism Masters degree would certainly be helpful.
