Name

Claudio Lozano

School

University of Indiana, Bloomington

Degree Program

Second year Master of Arts student in Journalism with an emphasis in Multimedia

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from University of Wisconsin, 2009

Advisor

Shannon Martin

Advisor’s Research Focus

Journalism

Hobbies

Tennis, football, basketball

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected University of Indiana, Bloomington’s journalism program because I wanted to attend a large university for graduate school. My undergraduate school was a smaller university and I was ready for the wider range of opportunities that big universities offer.

My program was also 1 of the best for journalism in the country that I could afford. My undergraduate professors recommended it highly to me, and I also wanted the chance to work at its award-winning student newspaper.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared myself for graduate school by distinguishing myself during my undergraduate studies and scoring well on the verbal portion of my GRE exam. I was the first international student to work at the University of Wisconsin student newspaper, and I won an award from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association for my work. I also graduated with honors.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required me to take the GRE exam. My strategy was to focus on the verbal rather than the math portion of the test, since that is what I felt the admissions board would value. I believe that the minimum score requirement to qualify for the program was 400.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

My personal statement included information about my Bolivian background, my academic experience and the extra-curricular activities that I had pursued. I made sure to mention my previous journalism experience at the University of Wisconsin.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I chose to approach 3 faculty for letters of recommendation who I felt knew me the best. The journalism department at my undergraduate university was small, so these professors knew my writing style and previous journalism work firsthand.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in journalism?

Yes, my tip for students who are considering applying to graduate school in journalism is to embrace taking courses outside of their majors. These courses can make their graduate applications stand out, but also expose them to new interests or concentrations within their majors.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My journalism program takes 2 years to complete and has no thesis component. The program has tracks for teaching, digital journalism and international journalism. We take 3 required courses and several electives, but we can also choose to pursue an internship for credits, too.

Does your program have a special project component?

Yes, University of Indiana’s journalism program required me to work for its television station twice a week. I had to pitch 6 stories a week, read about current issues and critique the work of my classmates.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

The role of my advisor in my education is to help me select classes and answer my questions. The university assigned her to me, although I think that she may be the only advisor available for my program.

My advisor also makes sure that I graduate on time and with as little expense as possible. With her help, I have also been able to take additional credits so that I can finish my degree early.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The biggest difference between my bachelors and masters programs is the relevancy of the courses. As an undergraduate student, I had to worry about general education requirements, but as a graduate student, I can focus on the courses that directly relate to my research interests.

I think that my graduate education has been more hands-on and oriented to professional work, too. I also get a lot of help from professors because my class sizes are smaller.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your master program cost?

My journalism program costs me around $8,000 a semester, but I am also an international student, so that amount may not be typical. Students in my program can also do teaching assistantships that pay about $2,500 a semester to help offset their tuition.

The secondary costs for school, like books, housing and food, usually cost me more than $500 a month. For the most part, I have been able to find digital versions of my required books and save money.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education with my parent’s help, a teaching assistantship and 3 part-time jobs. One of my part-time jobs is in the journalism department and the other 2 are in the athletic department. I also worked for a year after getting my bachelors degree to help pay for my masters degree.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters degree in journalism?

The time commitment for a masters degree in journalism is similar to a full-time job. I spend an average of 3 hours a week in class for each course, but my digital journalism course requires 8 hours a week. The reading and homework required for courses usually take another 20 hours each week.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

The effect of graduate school on my personal life has been relatively reasonable. Although my weeks are full, I do not have classes on Fridays, which leaves me time to travel, go to job interviews or finish assignments.

My favorite strategy for staying on top of my schedule is my day planner, which I color code to help me track every detail of my life, including assignments or e-mails to my professors.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to have a great job with a comfortable salary. My goal is to find a position that will utilize every aspect of my education. I can see myself being particularly happy covering sports at a newspaper or working in the communications department of a company.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in journalism?

An important insight that I have for students who are interested in pursuing a masters degree in journalism is that the competition for jobs is tough. Knowledge of multimedia and web design, in my opinion, can help students stand out from other candidates.

I also want students to know that they can find masters programs that speak to their interests. My program only requires 3 specific classes, so I can tailor the remainder of my education to my own career goals.