Master's degree program “SPORTS JOURNALISM”

QUALIFICATION – MA PROGRAM “SPORTS JOURNALISM”

I. ARGUMENTATION
Sports journalism is a multidisciplinary area of scientific knowledge where sports science and media knowledge intercept. The professional coverage of sports events requires a systematic and purposeful preparation of many years, including broad knowledge, skills, and competencies. Nowadays, this profession is still practiced by people lacking sufficient preparation in the field of sports science, and the need for highly qualified specialists is obvious. The professionals should perceive, process, and convey adequately, objectively, competently, and analytically information related to the peculiarities of a certain kind of sport, discipline, and organizational structure.

II. RANGE AND SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE
• Social processes accompanying the development of sport in the 21st century;
• Theory and practice of modern mass media;
• Theory and practice of the creation of the journalistic product;
• Theory and practice of media impact;
• Achievements in sports science and practice.

III. RANGE AND SCOPE OF THE SKILLS
“Sports Journalism” graduates acquire the following professional skills:
• Ability to deal with technologies and techniques for internal and external communication.
• Ability to perceive and process vast amounts of information.
• Ability to adequately report, interpret, and analyze topical sports events in the country and abroad.
• Ability to carry out scientifical research activities in the field of sport and media.
• Ability to exert control in preparing and realizing the journalistic product.
• Ability to manage teams and edit materials in sports media.
• Ability to teach in the field of media knowledge at secondary schools in Bulgaria.
“Sports Journalism” graduates possess a significant number of practical and cognitive skills and approaches needed for understanding abstract issues and developing creative decisions.

IV. RANGE AND SCOPE OF COMPETENCE
“Sports Journalism” MA students possess the flowing competencies:

1. Self-sufficiency and responsibility
• They show creativity and innovation when developing projects.
• They initiate processes and organize activities requiring a high degree of congruence, formulate policies, and demonstrate leadership qualities for their realization.

2. Learning competencies
• They use various methods and techniques for learning complex educational materials.
• They know a lot of terms and have the ability to think conceptually and abstractly.

3. Communication skills and social competencies
• They can clearly and accessibly present their own perceptions, formulations, and possible decisions before a specialized and non-specialized audience using various techniques and approaches.
• They know the specialized terminology in sport and journalism and communicate in some of the most widely spread European languages
.
4. Professional competencies
• They can collect, process, and interpret specialized information needed for solving complex problems in the field;
• They can develop or participate in the development of projects in the field of sports and sports media;
• They can carry out scientific and research activities in the field of sports media.

V. PROFESSIONAL REALIZATION OF THE STUDENTS

“Sports Journalism” graduates have the opportunity to work as:
• Journalists in sports editorial boards of printed and electronic media.
• Authors and editors in specialized sports websites.
• Sports and football analysts in online bookmaker companies.
• Press agents of sports clubs, unions, and federations.
• PR of sports organizations, etc.

VI. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACQUIRING MA DEGREE IN “SPORTS JOURNALISM”
The MA program “Sports Journalism” is for those who have obtained their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The training is carried out in two semesters with 65 ECTS credits. Students graduate with a defense of their diploma work or a final state exam.

Head of MA program “Sports Journalism”
Prof. Tatiana Iancheva, D.Sc., office 406/430, tel. 0898 77 64 12, iancheva.tatiana@gmail.com