Master's degree at Columbia University combines journalism and technology

Columbia University is expanding with a master's program in computer science and journalism. This may be an appealing subject for students who already have a bachelor's degree in computer science or journalism for a growing industry.

According to International Telecommunication Union, 77.3 percent of Americans were using the Internet as of June of this year and 28 percent of Americans made their homepage a news source.

As the Internet becomes a more popular way for people to get their news, Columbia University is one school that is providing students with this new type of master's degree. Julia Hirshberg, professor of computer science at the school, told Wired Magazine that the program's goal is to "produce a new generation of journalists who will understand both fields."

Along with changes in technology, students may find themselves wanting to work in this field due to the amount of opportunities. Individuals in this industry can expect a 17 percent increase in jobs over the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This degree could provide a way for journalists to use their skills and become more tech savvy.

By Stephanie Hughes