Point Park University will offer a Master of Arts in Environmental Journalism degree, with courses starting this fall.

The 36-credit program combines journalism courses with graduate-level environmental science courses.

“A unique facet of this program is its focus on coursework in environmental studies, enabling students not only to understand the complex science of environmental issues but also to apply this knowledge in a way that will make them respected specialists in the field,” said Steve Hallock, professor of journalism and director of the School of Communication graduate programs.

Point Park has always offered environmental journalism as a concentration within its existing master’s program, supported by The Heinz Endowments, Hallock said.

Andrew McElwaine, vice president of sustainability at The Heinz Endowments, said the foundation has given a total of around $210,000 for the environmental journalism concentration in the last three years. He said he’s been impressed that Point Park has dedicated its own resources to the curriculum and that students are consistently showing interest in it.

“Environmental issues are certainly not getting any less complicated, and journalism is a difficult career,” McElwaine said. “So, I’m pleased to see that people are being trained in these complicated issues to cover the present climate, water, air — all the things we see.”

Hallock will spend 2020 building a cohort of students before courses begin in the fall. The program will be limited to 10 students for at least the first year.

Environmental journalism curricula exist at a number of colleges across the country, including Georgetown University, University of Arizona, Boston University and others. Duquesne University offers an environmental communication program, but Hallock said Point Park’s has a greater focus on environmental reporting for journalists.

One of the stipulations of the Heinz grant, Hallock said, is that the students focus their reporting on environmental issues in the Pittsburgh region. Hallock said students will be studying the region’s air quality issues, river ecosystems and industrial facilities, among other topics. They will work with local media outlets to publish stories and build a portfolio.

“There’s plenty to keep us busy right here,” he said.

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