The Master’s Degree in Public Affairs Reporting provides students with an opportunity to specialize in news coverage of governmental affairs. A primary goal is for graduates to become professional journalists who can report and interpret governmental activity and public policy for news consumers. The program aims to develop news reporters able to understand public affairs and communicate those concepts with the clarity, accuracy and speed demanded of professional journalists of the highest rank. PAR is a 10-month master’s degree program that trains students to become journalists who produce intelligent news coverage that helps audiences understand government, politics and other public affairs. The program concentrates instruction in three areas: journalistic skills (news reporting and writing for digital, broadcast and print), public affairs knowledge and professional responsibility. PAR's centerpiece is a six-month paid internship, where PAR students work for a professional news organization in the Statehouse press room to report on the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session and other aspects of state government.

Quick Facts

Format
On-campus
Duration
2 years
Credit Hours
40

Calendar

Don't miss an important date or deadline

Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar

Now Enrolling

Apply by Date:
May 15, 2025

Start Date:
August 22, 2025

Apply Today!

 two tone gray background

Tuition & Aid

UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.

 

Value of a UIS Degree

money icon

UIS is No. 5 for students graduating with the least amount of debt, Midwest Region (2021).

taxpayer icon

Top 25 best value school, Midwest Region, and the only public university in Illinois on the list (2022, 2023, 2024).

group icon

98% of students receive aid

The average graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 - $69,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

< High School
$26,800
High School
$36,600
Bachelor's
$68,300
Master's
$87,200
Doctorate
$105,600

Admissions

Applying to UIS is simple

We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.

 

Review admission requirements

No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.

International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.

Complete your application

An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.

Send your official transcripts

Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Submit required statements/writing sample

If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on you're application status page.

Pay your application fee

You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.

Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;

International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.

star no. 1
Voted No. 1 public regional university in Illinois
2020 - 2024

Courses & Catalog Information

Rotating Image

Career Opportunities

Exploring the following career paths can help you see how your degree opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities in various fields.

  • Anchorperson
  • Assistant Managing Editor
  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Broadcast Journalist
  • Broadcast News Producer
  • Campaign Director
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Critic
  • Editor
  • Journalist
  • Legislative Advocate
  • Legislative Correspondent
  • Magazine/Editorials Writer
  • News Photographer
  • News Reporter
  • Newspaper and Editorial Writer
  • Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator
  • Political Campaign Director
  • Commentator
  • Assistant Media Buyer
  • Coordinator of Consumer Affairs
  • Creative Writer
  • Digital Photographer
  • Community Relations Coordinator
  • Announcer
  • Image Specialist
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Page-Layout Technician
  • Press Agent
  • Traffic Reporter
  • Story Analyst
  • Press Secretary
  • Adjunct Professor/Teacher
  • Public Affairs Reporter
  • Public Information Officer
  • Relations Analyst
Say #YestoUIS