School of Journalism and Communication
4306 River Building
613-520-2600 Ext. 7403
http://carleton.ca/sjc
- M.Journalism
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:
JOUR 5000 [0.5] | Journalism and Society I | |
JOUR 5200 [1.0] | Print Journalism Laboratory | |
JOUR 5202 [1.0] | Broadcast Journalism Laboratory | |
JOUR 5206 [0.5] | Reporting Methods | |
JOUR 5401 [0.5] | Journalism Law | |
JOUR 5706 [0.5] | Professional Practices | |
1.0 credit of approved electives |
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 [0.5] | Public Affairs Reporting | |
JOUR 5700 [1.0] | Print Journalism | |
JOUR 5704 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Print) | |
JOUR 5705 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing) | |
JOUR 5908 [1.0] | M.J. Research Project | |
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, JOUR 5908 and 0.5 credit of approved electives above with a 2.0 credit M.J. Thesis, JOUR 5909.
Broadcast Journalism
JOUR 5208 [0.5] | Public Affairs Reporting | |
JOUR 5702 [1.0] | Broadcast Journalism | |
JOUR 5707 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Radio) | |
JOUR 5708 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Television) | |
JOUR 5908 [1.0] | M.J. Research Project | |
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 5706, JOUR 5908 and 0.5 credit approved electives above with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Online Journalism
JOUR 5208 [0.5] | Public Affairs Reporting | |
JOUR 5508 [0.5] | Professional Practices: Specialized Media | |
JOUR 5700 [1.0] | Print Journalism | |
JOUR 5705 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing) | |
one of: | ||
JOUR 5704 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Print) | |
JOUR 5707 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Radio) | |
JOUR 5708 [0.5] | Advanced Reporting (Television) | |
JOUR 5908 [1.0] | M.J. Research Project | |
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, JOUR 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 [0.5] | Journalism and Society I ((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 this course in the first year of studies and an approved replacement option for an additional Journalism first year half credit) | |
JOUR 5500 [0.5] | Journalism and Society II | |
JOUR 5909 [2.0] | M.J. Thesis | |
2.0 elective credits related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies |
Note: 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.
Journalism (JOUR) Courses
Journalism and Society I
An introduction to analysis of the news media in Western society, considering classical arguments and contemporary trends in the scholarly assessment of journalism practice.
Print Journalism Laboratory
A laboratory course in basic reporting and editing techniques and introduction to multimedia reporting, followed by application in print and multimedia.
Broadcast Journalism Laboratory
A laboratory course in reporting and editing in the broadcast media.
Reporting Methods
Topics covered will range from interviewing and observation skills to conducting a title search, lodging an access to information request and interpreting data.
Public Affairs Reporting
A course devoted to understanding selected political, economic and social issues, and to analytical reporting on timely issues under professional conditions.
Perspectives on Modern Society
A seminar course examining texts from the social sciences, philosophy, literature, and journalism for the contribution they make to an understanding of issues facing modern industrial society.
Journalism Law
This course prepares journalists to function comfortably within the legal and ethical guidelines governing their occupation. Topics include: contempt of court; free press, fair trial; revealing of sources; civil defamation; obscenity; privacy; government secrecy.
Journalism and Society II
A critical examination of the conduct of the news media, exploring the social, political and economic contexts in which the media work and assessing the consequences of journalism practice for contemporary society.
Professional Practices: Specialized Media
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in specialized areas such as radio documentary, video documentary, editing, magazine writing, photojournalism. Not all specialties will be offered each year.
Print Journalism
Students will explore and apply advanced journalistic principles and practices through a combination of readings, discussion and reporting in specific areas.
Broadcast Journalism
A seminar combining critical analysis of television journalism and practical skill development in television reporting, writing and production.
Advanced Reporting (Print)
Designed to enhance reporting and editing skills through the production of a community newspaper, Centretown News.
Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing)
Designed to enhance reporting and editing skills through the production of online publications such as Capital News Online.
Professional Practices
Students examine current journalism practices in a critical and analytical way, and explore ways of producing thorough and investigative journalism in print, broadcast and multimedia. Guest speakers share their expertise and skills.
Advanced Reporting (Radio)
Enhances radio reporting and production skills to include news features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and multimedia delivery.
Advanced Reporting (Television)
Enhances television reporting and production skills to include news features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and multimedia delivery.
Survey Methods for Journalists
An examination of basic research design and data collection with emphasis on problems of interpretation.
Directed Readings
Students, working under faculty direction, will undertake an intensive reading schedule in order to pursue a subject area of particular interest.
Directed Research
Students, working under faculty direction, will develop and undertake a research project in order to pursue a subject area of particular interest.
Directed Studies
Reading and research tutorials.
Directed Studies
Reading and research tutorials.
M.J. Research Project
The student will complete a substantial piece of public affairs journalism; or a research project on the media; or a document that makes a major contribution to journalism education. The format of the MRP will be determined by the stream of study.
M.J. Thesis
To fulfil the requirements of this 2.0-credit thesis course, students must produce a major piece of journalistic research or complete an academic thesis in the area of journalism studies.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca