Photo Credit: Jeff Carrion/DePaul University
As a student in the Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence, you’ll receive hands-on training and instruction from renowned investigative journalist and CJIE Director Lisa Parker. The Advanced Reporting course will teach you useful skills for working in the field while you also focus on the deeper ethical questions of journalism.
Advanced Reporting Course
Each year, a small cohort of journalism students take the Advanced Reporting course taught by CJIE Director Lisa Parker. For two quarters, you can learn about the ins and outs of investigative journalism by experiencing the industry firsthand, including:
- Researching stories for Carol Marin to broadcast on WTTW's Chicago Tonight
- Visiting NBC studios in Chicago to assist Marin and Moseley with their political reporting work
- Writing pieces that appear on the course blog,
Down the Center
How to Apply:
The Advanced Reporting course is intended for students who have a serious desire to work in political, investigative or enterprise reporting. Review the
course description for full criteria and application instructions.
Down the Center Blog
Down the Center showcases the work of students in the Advanced Reporting course, where students write about industry trends, recent events in the news, advice they receive from working journalists and more.
Chicago Tonight Stories
Each quarter, Advanced Reporting students choose a story that will air on WTTW’s
Chicago Tonight. They research, report, shoot, write and edit the story that Carol Marin presents. This is just one of the ways that the CJIE gives you real world experience, taking you outside of the classroom to prepare you for a career in journalism.
Click on the titles below to see the work students have completed for Chicago Tonight.
The state law that currently mandates licensing requirements for locksmiths is expected to sunset in January 2029, thanks to legislation passed in Springfield. Some fear that will result in problems for consumers, while others say it is needed deregulation. Watch on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
Air Date: June 3, 2024
"Chronic Pain Patients Suffer from Opiod Epidemic Overcorrection" examines the effect of the federal government’s limitations on the manufacturing and dispensing of opioid medications. Watch now.
Air date: March 12, 2024
To address an increase in drug-related deaths. Cook County Jail implements a paper ban and increases mental health support. Watch now.
Air Date: November 7, 2023
In the segmet "Finding Love With Mental Illness: Those With Anxiety, Depression Say They Must Swipe Right on Themselves," CJIE students cover what it's like to navigate mental health and online dating in the 21st century. Watch on WTTW.com
Air Date: February 14, 2023
Despite thousands of daily passengers, the CTA’s parking availability pales in comparison to other major cities. Watch on WTTW.com
Air Date: November 11, 2022
In "As Supreme Court Prepares to Rule on Roe, Illinois Once Again Ground Zero for Abortion Access," CJIE Advanced Reporting students explore implications of the upcoming ruling on Roe v Wade issue and contemplate the return of the Jane Collective. Watch on WTTW.com
Air Date: June 1, 2022
In this Chicago Tonight segment, "Designed to Reduce Cook County Jail Population, Electronic Monitoring System May Produce False Readings," CJIE students investigate the accuracy of electronic ankle bracelet monitoring. Watch on WTTW.com
Air Date: March 21, 2022
Browse past CJIE Advanced Reporting student co-produced segments on
WTTW's Chicago Tonight.