The military photojournalism program began at Newhouse in 1963, during President John F. Kennedy’s administration. The early days of the program involved only one military branch, the U.S. Navy, and the first curriculum was designed to help active-duty sailors sharpen their photography and storytelling skills. Other military departments joined the program in later years.

WHO

The Military Visual Journalism program teaches active-duty military personnel photojournalism and broadcast journalism. Today the Military Photojournalism (MPJ) and Military Motion Media (MMM) programs each 32 students. They have been serving as mass communication specialists, combat photographers and military journalists. They come to the Newhouse School for ten months to build on their storytelling skills.

CURRICULUM

While at Newhouse, MPJ and MMM students earn 30 credit hours. The program begins in August with an intensive English and grammar refresher.

AFTER MVJ

After successfully completing the MPJ or MMM program, students fulfill a three-year service obligation, putting their skills to use at such jobs as the White House TV, All Hands Magazine, Stars and Stripes, Combat Camera or as instructors at the Defense Information School. Furthermore, past students have frequently received the honor of National Press Photographers Association’s Military Photographer-of-the-Year or Military Videographer-of-the-Year awards.

MPJ and MMM students are integrated with civilian students for most of their classes, but have a few military-only courses taught by Syracuse University professors.