Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It is a journalism school within Arizona State University located in downtown Phoenix. Named for legendary CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, the school is recognized for its immersive professional programs and state-of-the-art facilities that replicate major media environments. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focused on digital media, broadcast journalism, strategic communication, and media innovation.

History

The school's origins trace to 1949 with the founding of the Department of Mass Communication at Arizona State College, which later became Arizona State University. It was renamed in 1984 in honor of Walter Cronkite, who had a long-standing relationship with the university and served as a founding member of its endowment board. A pivotal moment in its growth was the 2008 relocation to the university's downtown Phoenix campus, consolidating its operations into the First Amendment Forum building. This move facilitated deeper partnerships with major professional entities like Arizona PBS, which is housed within the school, and The Arizona Republic.

Academics

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum leading to Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and doctoral degrees. Key undergraduate majors include Digital Media Literacy, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Sports Journalism, while graduate programs feature specializations in Investigative Reporting, Media Law and Ethics, and Strategic Media Leadership. A cornerstone of its pedagogy is the "teaching hospital" model, where students produce real news content for platforms such as Cronkite News, which serves the Arizona Capitol Times and KTAR-FM. The school also houses the Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security and the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism.

Facilities

The school's primary facility is an 11,000-square-foot, glass-walled newsroom overlooking the Phoenix cityscape, designed to emulate a major network news operation. This building houses six digital news bureaus, three television studios equipped with Ross Video production switchers, a 120-seat auditorium, and the Knight Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship. The integrated headquarters of Arizona PBS, including its studio and master control, are a central feature. Additional resources include the Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists editing suites and the Carnegie-funded media innovation lab.

Student media and organizations

Students gain hands-on experience through numerous outlets, including the statewide wire service Cronkite News, which distributes content to over 30 media partners including the Associated Press and USA Today. Broadcast operations include Arizona PBS, where students produce nightly newscasts, and Blaze Radio, the student-run radio station. Student organizations are active, such as the NABJ chapter, the SPJ Mark of Excellence award-winning chapter, and the PRSSA group that manages campaigns for local clients.

Notable people

Distinguished alumni include Forrest Sawyer, anchor for ABC News and MSNBC; Judy Muller, former correspondent for ABC News; and Mike Gonzalez, senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation. The faculty features prominent journalists like Megan Finnerty, founder of the Emmy]-winning Storytellers Project, and R. Nicholas Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO. The school's namesake, Walter Cronkite, remained an active participant until his death in 2009, and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism is presented annually to figures such as Bob Woodward and Christiane Amanpour.