Study Investigative Journalism at Point Park University

The Innocence Institute of Point Park University provides a real-world learning environment for aspiring journalists who learn investigative reporting skills to expose wrongful convictions. While there are many law-based innocence projects, ours is the only journalism only innocence project in the country.

The institute is part of Point Park University’s School of Communication. Graduate and undergraduate journalism students take institute classes as part of their coursework, earning credit toward their degrees.

Most students begin working with the institute by evaluating letters and other material sent by inmates, then determining whether the cases involve issues of wrongful conviction. Students then progress to finding and reading court transcripts, examining evidence, locating and interviewing witnesses and visiting crime scenes. Finally, students write stories for possible publication in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Undergraduate Study

Students in Point Park’s B.A. in Journalism program may focus their electives on investigative reporting for the Innocence Institute. It is possible for students to take at least four classes earning credit toward their degree that involve investigating cases and writing stories for the institute.

Classes that involve the Innocence Institute include:

JOUR 406 Public Affairs Reporting
Review of functions and structures of courts and government and other public agencies with attention to special problems of obtaining and reporting information in news articles.

JOUR 408 Magazine Writing
Research and development of briefs and longer nonfiction articles with emphasis on free-lance writing, queries and techniques of magazine titles, fillers, writing and critiquing. Efforts made to sell articles for publication.

JOUR 410 Investigative Reporting
Practical reporting experience with heavy emphasis on investigative techniques and computer-assisted reporting; development of source and information; determination of subjects, organizations and writing of stories and series for newspaper publication.

JOUR 296, JOUR 396, JOUR 496 Independent Study I, II, III
The student independently studies subjects in the field not taught but of special interest to her or him and within the expertise of a supervising faculty member. A well-developed, written proposal from the student and agreement of an appropriate faculty supervisor are needed before registration. A final research paper or project is required.

JOUR 313, 413 Internships 1 and 2
On-the-job internships of about 200 hours of paid or unpaid work are available investigating cases and doing public relations work for the institute.

JOUR 422, 425 Innocence Institute 1 and 2
Students will research and investigate cases of wrongful conviction on an individual and group basis. Under the professor’s direction, the students will employ investigative reporting techniques to collect court records, police and other public documents, and all other appropriate materials; interview witnesses and visit crime scenes; prepare evidence for further exploration and corroboration; then begin writing reports, articles and series on the results of the investigation. Students must commit to a minimum of 45 hours of work each semester on selected projects and report on a regular basis those results to the instructor.

Graduate Study

Students in Point Park’s M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication program may focus their graduate studies on investigative reporting for the Innocence Institute. It is possible for students to take at least one class each semester that involves investigating cases and writing stories for the institute.

Graduate students may choose their classes in a way that allows them to examine institute cases throughout their time at Point Park.

A model curriculum for such students includes:

JOUR 506 Public Affairs Reporting
A series of real reporting assignments under deadline conditions beginning with the University and extending to the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

JOUR 510 Investigative Reporting
Practical reporting experience with heavy emphasis on investigative techniques and computer-assisted reporting; development of sources and information; determination of subjects, organization and writing of stories and series for print publication.

JOUR 522, 525 Innocence Institute Research and Reporting I and II
Students will research and investigate cases of wrongful conviction on an individual and group basis. Under the professor’s direction, the students will employ investigative reporting techniques to collect court records, police and other public documents, and all other appropriate materials; interview witnesses and visit crime scenes; prepare evidence for further exploration and corroboration; then begin writing reports, articles and series on the results of the investigation. Students must commit to a minimum of 45 hours of work each semester on selected projects and report on a regular basis those results to the instructor.

JOUR 592, 599 Publication Project and Completion of Publication Project
The student earns credit for work on an investigative, interpretive series in a medium such as print, a media script, publications/advertising campaign, or other significant project. Proof of intended implementation is required. A faculty member must oversee the project, a proposal for which must be approved by that faculty member and the program director. May constitute three of the six hours of the candidate’s required research obligation.

Other relevant classes that may involve the Innocence Institute include:

JOUR 508 Magazine Article Writing
Research and development of briefs and longer nonfiction articles with emphasis on freelance writing, queries and techniques of magazine titles, fillers, writing and critiquing. Efforts made to sell articles for publication.

JOUR 518 Communication Law and Regulation
Study of contemporary and classic cases related to state and federal law of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Problems caused by efforts by government to control mass media and the freedom of government/ public information also are addressed.

Outside electives:

Students may choose related electives in Point Park’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in business, administration, law, policy, economics and criminology theory. Coursework related to the institute includes CRMJ 540 Media Issues in Criminal Justice and other classes.

Graduate Assistantships are also available:

This position would include tuition reimbursement and stipend. In order to qualify, one must be enrolled in the Point Park Journalism Graduate Program. At least two years of experience in print journalism is ideal.

Graduate Assistants work part-time; take a leadership role in investigations; write; edit the work of students; evaluate cases and manage the day-to-day office needs.

Candidates must be dependable, creative, adaptable and passionate about justice.

Please contact us at: 412-765-3164