Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Merrill students practice innovative, real-world journalism from day one, with guidance from all-star faculty.
Why Merrill College
Merrill College prepares students for the real world. They report from D.C., Annapolis, College Park and beyond through our Capital News Service, investigate issues of national importance at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and report beyond the playing field at The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism.
Data and AI are weaved through every inch of our curriculum and practiced in our signature programs. Our graduates are hired and desired by the top news outlets in the country.
Our Momentum
#2
undergraduate journalism program
Course Advisor
#5
master’s journalism program
Intelligent
#16
university for journalism and digital media in the world
EduRank
Why now
Journalists are needed more than ever, and employers increasingly seek graduates with the high-level multimedia, data, investigative and entrepreneurial experience Merrill College provides.
Making a top-tier journalism education available to a broader range of students is crucial to creating a highly skilled workforce that better reflects the many communities it serves.
At a time when democracy is threatened, that's especially critical as Merrill College ensures our students and researchers produce the highest-caliber journalism and scholarship to help people understand and navigate society’s complexities. Our students and faculty are creating the robust, ethical journalism needed to inform today’s citizens of what is happening in their world so democracy can thrive.
Merrill College stands at the forefront of a profession essential to safeguarding democracy. The mission of our students, faculty and alumni is to inform the public by making sure the truth rises above misinformation. We teach our students to confront power, illuminate important stories and shape a more sustainable future for our field.
Rafael Lorente
Dean, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Our Priorities
Shaping the Future of Journalism
Merrill College equips students to produce journalism that tackles society’s most complex issues and to address the most pressing problems facing the field. By focusing on student success, faculty support, research and innovation, we prepare the next generation to find solutions to ensure the long-term future of journalism and democracy.
The student success initiative will support students at every level by removing financial barriers and ensuring full access to hands-on learning and real-world experiences.
Invest in Merrill Student Success
An endowed chair will promote a strong press, a cornerstone of democracy. They will play a key role in Merrill’s work to leverage AI and modern tools to make journalism better and stronger.
Endow a Democracy, AI and Business of News Chair
Merrill’s AND Lab will bring together research and practice inside and outside the university to tackle the grand challenge of protecting democracy by ensuring great journalism is sustainable.
Our Howard and Povich Centers, Capital News Service and Local News Network give students hands-on experience while providing immense public service.
Leaders & Champions
Ashley Neyra '26
I knew I wanted to help others, and discovered journalism can motivate, unite and inspire change.
Monica McNutt ’13, Master of Journalism
This was the first time classwork applied directly to what I hoped to do with my life.
Sean Mussenden ’00, Data Editor, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
Gathering, analyzing and making sense of data is essential. No one teaches that better than Merrill.
Connie Chung
Trailblazing television journalist
NYT Bestselling author of “Connie: A Memoir”
I am immensely grateful that Maryland launched me to my fulfilling career in journalism!