Master of Journalism Specializations: Courses, Top Colleges, Requirements, Entrance Exams
Find out what specialisations you can pick from in a Master of Journalism course. Also, learn what colleges offer a Master of Journalism degree programme, their eligibility criteria and how to choose your ideal Master of Journalism Specialization.
Master of Journalism Specialisations
Master of Journalism Specializations - Students from various backgrounds wish to get a master’s degree in Journalism for its attractive and creative job prospects. In India, universities and colleges generally offer two postgraduate degree courses in Journalism - MJMC or MA/ Master of Journalism. At most institutes, the curriculum of these PG programmes covers Mass Communication subjects. With the entry of Journalism into the digital realm, the two go hand-in-hand. There are various specializations under these courses that students can pick from. These different specializations lead to different career pathways for students. In this article, we will list these specializations and take a brief look at colleges offering journalism courses, popular entrance exams, eligibility criteria and more. Read on.
Also Read -
Career Options After MJMC
- List of Specializations in a Master of Journalism Course
- Top Master of Journalism Specializations
- Emerging Specializations in Journalism and Media Studies
- Choosing the Right Specialization in a Journalism Course
- Colleges Offering Master of Journalism Degree Courses in India
- Eligibility Requirements to Get Admission to a PG Journalism Course
- Entrance Exams for Master of Journalism Degree Courses
List of Specializations in a Master of Journalism Course
The various specializations that are usually offered in a postgraduate Journalism course are mentioned in the table below.
| Master of Journalism Specializations |
Description |
|---|---|
| By specialising in print journalism, students learn the operations of the print media industry like writing, editing layouts (Photoshop, InDesign), conventional journalistic traits that are applicable to most forms of journalism, etc. They are usually employed by newspaper and magazine companies. |
|
| Students who specialise in radio journalism learn about sound recording, sound editing, voice modulation, interview skills, etc. |
|
| A specialization in broadcast journalism focuses on AV production (for film and TV). They also learn about camera functions, video recording techniques, some sound recording and editing, on-camera presence, reporting skills and more. |
|
| Digital Media |
The curriculum of a digital media specialization in journalism deals with all things online. Students get to learn about website management, social media, online content creation, search engine optimisation, trends, digital marketing, etc. |
| Advertising and PR |
A Master of Journalism course with a specialization in Ad & PR trains students in various areas of study that include integrated marketing communication, brand management, campaign strategies, online and offline advertising, public relations, media relations, etc. |
Top Master of Journalism Specializations
Out of the Master of Journalism specializations mentioned above, some take the cake and are more frequently chosen by students. While the popularity of print and radio journalism is fading, that of Broadcast, Digital Media and Ad & PR is increasing. Evidently, work and growth opportunities are exponentially higher in these spaces when compared to print and radio. This popularity can be credited to the internet and fast-paced consumption of information, content, products and services.
Also Read -
Radio Journalism and Podcasting
Emerging Specializations in Journalism and Media Studies
However uncommon, there are some new specializations in journalism, media and other related courses. These specializations may or may not have been adopted by full-fledged degree courses, but can be seen in Diploma and Certificate course options. These emerging specializations include.
- Corporate Communication
- Political Communication
- Film Studies
- Photojournalism
- Development Communication
- Media Management, etc.
Choosing the Right Specialization in a Journalism Course
Students who wish to pursue a Master of Journalism programme must consider the following points while choosing their specializations.
- Personal interest.
- The job market for your choice of specialization.
- Tuition fee differences.
- Availability of your desired specialization at your ideal choice of institute.
- Reputation of the institute for teaching that specialization. You can speak to former students to learn their experiences.
Colleges Offering Master of Journalism Degree Courses in India
Colleges that offer a Master of Journalism degree programme in our country are mentioned in the table below.
| Master of Journalism Colleges in India |
|
|---|---|
| Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication |
|
Eligibility Requirements to Get Admission to a PG Journalism Course
Students who wish to enrol on a Master of Journalism programme must fulfil the following eligibility criteria -
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline (not necessarily in journalism or mass communication) from a recognised university.
- Some colleges may require a specific minimum score in the final exams of aspirants’ undergraduate programme. This minimum score is usually 50% aggregate marks.
- Some universities may require relevant work experience in the field.
Note - It must be noted that the eligibility criteria for admissions to a Master of Journalism programme vary from institute to institute. Aspirants must check the admission prospectus or the official website of their desired institutes before applying.
Entrance Exams for Master of Journalism Degree Courses
While most colleges offer admission to Master of Journalism programmes based on merit, some conduct entrance exams. There’s also CUET-PG, which is a common entrance exam, scores of which are accepted by numerous participating institutes for admissions. To get admission to the Master of Journalism programme, students are required to take the CUET-PG Mass Communication and Journalism paper (paper code - COQP17). This NTA exam is conducted annually in the months of March and April.
It is advised that students check the admission process for their desired institutes before applying and determine if admissions are based on merit or entrance tests. The admission processes are generally mentioned on the institutions’ official websites and admission information bulletins.
Read More -
What is Multimedia Journalism?
List of Entrance Exams for Journalism and Mass Comm Courses
