The program offers two options, both of which are designed for students with limited academic or professional experience in journalism.

The professional practice option is for students who wish to focus on quickly obtaining advanced journalistic skills. It can be completed with as few as 30 credits and in as little as two semesters plus a summer.

The area of expertise option is for students wishing not only to acquire advanced journalistic skills, but also to complement them with an area of expertise, such as environmental science and policy. This option can be completed with a minimum of 36 credits and in four semesters.

Regardless of option, the degree's focus is on multimedia training and experience. Students develop skills in information-gathering, storytelling and analysis across a variety of platforms and professional contexts, including video, online interactivity, social media, photography and, of course, the printed word. They produce in-depth reporting projects in collaboration with professional media outlets in Colorado, and they complete internships at award-winning radio and television stations, newspapers, magazines, websites and other news organizations nationwide.