Journalism

• M. Journalism
• M. Journalism with Specialization in African Studies

Master of Journalism

About the Program

The M. Journalism program emphasizes advanced professional education and related coursework for those who are or intend to become practicing journalists. This entails both the polishing of professional journalistic skills to a high level of proficiency and advanced education.

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Admission Requirements

The School of Journalism and Communication provides two points of entry into the Master of Journalism program  – Year One or Year Two.

Most applicants will be admitted to Year One of the two-year M.Journalism program; however, some may qualify for admission to Year Two. A committee chaired by the Supervisor of Graduate Studies will determine the admissibility of each applicant.

For admission to Year One of the M.Journalism program, applicants must hold an honour's bachelor's degree or the equivalent, with, normally, B+ or better in the honours subject and B- or better overall.

A limited number of spaces will be made available for direct admission to Year Two of the  M. Journalism program. Students must normally possess one of the following qualifications to be considered for this admission option:

• a B.Journalism (Honours) or the equivalent;
• a degree in another discipline from a recognized university plus at least five years of professional experience in journalism;
• substantial  professional journalism experience of a high standard.

Note: Students with prior journalistic experience or credentials who are admitted directly into Year Two will normally pursue the Journalism Studies completion option, or a path of coursework selected in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies, which will include a thesis or master's research project, as appropriate.

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.

Proficiency in English is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. Journalism demands higher levels of competence in English than specified in the general regulations of the graduate calendar.

All applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the following criteria:

 1.  An official overall score of 70 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment; or

 2.  An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 on the paper-based test (PBT), or an overall score of 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT) with a minimum score in each component of:  writing 25; speaking 25; reading 25; and listening 25; or

 3.  An official overall international English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band score; or

 4.  Official certification (transcripts) to indicate that they have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant education institution was exclusively English.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs reserves the right to require further documentation or additional testing if it deems it is necessary to demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency.

Program Requirements

Note: As a condition for graduation, all students in both completion options 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. For qualified applicants, the School may deem the requirement(s) to have been met.

Note: As a condition for graduation, all students in both completion options 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. For qualified applicants, the School may deem the requirement(s) to have been met.

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