The Center for Excellence in Journalism aims both to train the next generation of leaders in the field, through a rigorous MA program in Multiplatform Journalism that launched in summer 2025, and to support Armenia’s journalism ecosystem, through research, workshops, guest lectures and a host of other events.
The Center for Excellence in Journalism serves as a hub for journalism education and thought leadership in research, training, best practices and collaboration with leading experts and policy makers. The Center is working with a particular focus in two key frameworks relevant for Armenia and the region: Solutions Journalism, and Peace Journalism. Each of these frameworks give journalists the necessary tools to delve deeper into complex stories and to better inform citizens of relevant issues of the day.
The Center also offers professional development programs serving the wider media community. The partnership between CHSS-AUA and WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication will continuously improve the quality and content of journalism education and practice in Armenia.
Reflecting its broad international outlook, the Center is the product of a partnership between the American University of Armenia (AUA) and Washington State University (WSU), which signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 30, 2023, to establish the Center and create a new Master’s program in Multiplatform Journalism within AUA’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS-AUA). The $2.2 million, six-year university partnership initiative is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan to support Armenia’s media sector.
The Master’s program in Multiplatform Journalism is open to students from all backgrounds, with up to 20 Armenian citizen students receiving a 90% tuition scholarship through the U.S. Embassy's support per year. A select number of students will also have the opportunity to compete for a summer internship in the United States, where they will gain hands-on reporting skills at a U.S. media outlet.
Since its launch, the Center has already held a number of informative workshops and hosted highly regarded guest speakers. There’s much more to come!
