Gaining admission to a master's degree in journalism requires a commitment to the craft and evidence of academic excellence. Magazine journalist 5. Like medicine. And master’s-level coursework will help you learn how to do just that. A masters is earned after students complete an undergraduate degree program. Some specify that it must be in journalism (or a master's in journalism), but many will accept people with degrees in literature, English, or something similar. Journalism is not rocket science. The professional program: This kind of graduate degree program is very, very similar to most undergrad journalism programs in North America. They might think they know, but give them five years and then ask them. Let’s talk about how highly editors in newsrooms (online, broadcast, print) and at magazine companies value that master’s degree. Inside the university, we see a student groupthink: “I must go to school for two more years after I get my bachelor’s degree, so I can get my master’s degree right away.”. Or perhaps it’s Science Journalism – in which case, English, Physics, Chemistry a… Print journalism– news and advice articles and columns usually printed in newspapers and magazines Photojournalism– news portrayed in powerful, intense photographs Broadcast journalism– news and advice giv… A Masters degree in journalism is not cheap. The program duration is usually 1 to 2 years of full-time study. Jobs directly related to your degree include: 1. This ensures that students who pursue this advanced degree … Read about the work experience you need in our article on how to get into a career in the media. (No one except the grad school admissions people, that is.) The traditional scholarly program: Most people who want to become a journalist totally HATE this kind of graduate degree program. Journalism also requires further formal training after university. Unless you DON’T want to be a journalist. Your chances might be a lot better if you do a 3-year degree course in journalism as well. Many reporters are entering the field with master's degrees, either in journalism or a specialized area of interest. What’s not on the list? Science writer 7. They usually put a premium on applicants who have interned at various media organizations and thus have a clear understanding of what the job entails. Advertising copywriter 2. eval(ez_write_tag([[320,100],'careerigniter_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',106,'0','0'])); You may not also want to carry such a high debt burden which is going to be a very real possibility when you are pursuing postgraduate education in journalism unless you can find a scholarship opportunity that will pay for your tuition in full. You and your parents. As for having a degree at all, most news organizations anymore require at least a bachelor's degree. Some of these institutes which offer MA in Journalism are: 1. You want to be a journalist or work in media production So you would be, duh, taking the same classes AGAIN. I already have a BA in a different field of study, however, if I want to be a successful writer or editor one day, how necessary is it for me to have a master's? Since the Internet has become such a vital part of modern-day life—and a rapidly-growing employer of journalists—maintaining a blog or writing for a website will enable you to showcase your writing skills, op-ed pieces and others for potential employers to scrutinize. Studying a Masters in Journalism. The Master of Journalism degree, designed by leading academics and practitioners in news media, builds the skills you need to redefine your profession. So by getting a journalism degree, you may be limiting your opportunity to do that, unless you plan on going to grad school. There are actually a number of reasons for this which would explain why a master’s degree is not necessary at this point in your life. You may also want to pursue an advanced degree in the field later on if you aspire for a higher position in a media organization and a master’s degree will make your application more competitive. But then again, note that the decision to go back to school happens after you’ve already worked in the field for some time.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'careerigniter_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])); If you are inquisitive and have what is known in the journalism parlance as the “nose for news” then you can consider a career as a journalist. To become a print journalist you would need to be a graduate in any discipline or have a postgraduate diploma in journalism. However, it is important for you to do the proper research. I know your mom and dad are pressuring you to go to grad school immediately after undergrad. The skills that students obtaining a master’s degree in journalism possess are useful when it comes to doing research and disseminating information. If you're reading this article and still choosing your A-Levels, try to choose some that will be relevant to your field. Want to go into Political Journalism? You do not need an undergraduate degree in journalism to get a master's in journalism. Magazine features editor 4. Some of these courses are also accredited by relevant institutions – such as the National Council for the Training of Journalists. WriterJobs where your degree would be useful include: 1. Please. Broadcast journalist 2. I've been thinking about going back to school to obtain a degree in journalism, however I can't decide if a master's is necessary for my line of work. You don’t need a master’s degree to do it, and you won’t do it well until you haul yourself out of school and into a working newsroom. Most people starting journalism careers are graduates but there are a few apprenticeships available too. For a degree? No one in any newsroom anywhere will EVER ask you what your grades were. If you do decide journalism school is right for you, there are a number of programs you can enter. As a result, the BLS doesn’t have reliable data for individual jobs in journalism, but the three charts below illustrate what salaries look like across the profession. Digital copywriter 3. Ask a few real live editors what they look for when they want to hire a new, entry-level person. A journalism degree prepares students for an array of occupations that involve writing, researching, reviewing data and reaching a target audience. Journalists, whether they work for print, broadcast or online media, typically enter the profession with a bachelor’s degree and related work experience. Another reason why it’s not a good idea to stay an extra two years after college to earn your master’s degree is because journalism is best learned when you’re out there and gathering news. If they had, they would be hearing what I just told you: No one in a newsroom will value your master’s degree, and what’s more, there is no reward at all for having it. It is not, in fact, about how to be a journalist. If you have a particular area of journalism in mind after you graduate, for example if you want to become a political journalist, then you might also want to consider taking a joint degree – in this case Journalism and Politics. For those who’ve got their sights set on a career in the media world, a Masters in Journalism can be a definite asset.“This is a very competitive industry to enter and the more 'job-ready' you can be the better,” says Angela Philips, who runs the Masters in Journalism at Goldsmiths, University of London. 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