Journalism
School of Journalism and Communication
St. Patrick's Building 346
Tel.: 613-520-7404
carleton.ca/sjc
M. Journalism
About the Program
The emphasis in the 10.0-credit M.J. program is on advanced professional education and related coursework for those who are or intend to become practising journalists in the news media. In practical terms, this entails both the polishing of professional journalistic skills to a high level of proficiency and advanced education in a related field of study. In their second year of study, students will choose one of three fields of concentration:
- Specialized Print Reporting
- Broadcast Journalism
- Online Journalism
There is also a five-credit M.J. program for those with a B.J. (Honours) or equivalent or at least five years of professional experience in journalism. There are no fields of concentration in this program.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
Most applicants will be admitted to the First year of a two-year course of study, but some may qualify for admission directly to the five-credit program (see below). An admissions committee, including the supervisor of graduate studies, will determine the admissions qualifications of each applicant.
A student who holds a bachelor's or master's degree from a recognized university in a field other than journalism may be admitted to the first year of study if he or she achieved at least high honours standing.
International students whose first language is not English need TOEFL scores of at least 250 CBT or 600, IELTS scores of at least 7 in all components, or CAEL Assessment scores of at least 70, or acceptable certification that the language of instruction in their most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English. Such students who complete the core first year, outlined below, and meet the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Section 11 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar, may proceed to second year.
A limited number of spaces will be made available for direct admission to the five-credit M.J. program. Students must normally possess one of the following qualifications to be considered for this advanced admission:
- a B.J. (Honours) or the equivalent with high second-class standing, or a degree in another discipline from a recognized university plus at least five years of professional experience in journalism, or long and distinguished professional experience in journalism.
- Students with suitable professional qualifications but no degree may occasionally be admitted to a program in which they take a required number of undergraduate courses in addition to the M.J. program.
Admission will be selective. Admission will not be guaranteed to all who meet the published minimum requirements, as there are many more qualified applicants each year than there are available spaces.
Applicants who have a three-year journalism degree with high honours standing may be admitted to a first year made up largely of approved courses from the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences and Public Affairs. Such students may proceed to the second year of study if they have achieved high honours standing.
Program Requirements
First Year
Candidates admitted to the first year of the Master of Journalism program must complete the following courses before proceeding to the second year of study:
First year M.J. candidates may be considered for advanced standing in certain of the above-required courses, but in such cases will be required to replace waived courses with approved options.
Second Year
Credits will be determined according to the stream pursued:
Specialized Print Reporting
- JOUR 5208, JOUR 5700, JOUR 5704, JOUR 5705, JOUR 5908
- 1.5 credits of approved electives in the student's area of specialization
Note: under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5706, 5908 and 0.5 credit of approved electives above with a 2.0 credit M.J. Thesis, JOUR 5909.
Broadcast Journalism
- JOUR 5208, JOUR 5702, JOUR 5707, JOUR 5708, JOUR 5908
- 1.5 credits of approved electives in the student's area of specialization.
Under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5706, 5908 and 0.5 credit approved electives above with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Online Journalism
- JOUR 5208, JOUR 5508, JOUR 5700, JOUR 5705
- one of JOUR 5704, JOUR 5707 or JOUR 5708
- JOUR 5908
- 1.0 credit of approved electives in the student's area of specialization.
Note: Under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5705, 5908 and 0.5 credit approved electives above with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Five-credit M.J. program
Journalism Studies
- JOUR 5000 (if admitted directly to second year). Students admitted to the two-year program and completing a thesis as outlined in the Note above will complete JOUR 5000 in the first year of studies and an approved replacement option for an additional Journalism first year half credit
- JOUR 5500, JOUR 5909
- 2.0 elective credits related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies.
As a condition for graduation, all students are required to have a minimum of four months of practical experience in the media, and a working knowledge of a second language, preferably French.
