I am an engineering graduate. Can I do a Master’s course in Journalism? I would like to know about the best institutes that offer postgraduate courses in Journalism and similar programmes.
NITHIN ABRAHAM
KOCHI
Graduates in any discipline, including engineering and technology, can do a Journalism course. To be a successful journalist, the qualities required are flair for writing, presentation and communication skills, extensive reading, an analytical mind, a keen sense of observation, presence of mind and courage.
Master’s and postgraduate diploma courses in Journalism and Mass Communication help hone skills in print and electronic journalism, development communication, communication research, advertising and public relations.
Master of Journalism (MJ); Master of Communication and Journalism (MCJ); Master of Communication Studies (MCS); Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC); MA Mass Communication, postgraduate diploma and Ph.D. programmes are available. A few universities conduct Master’s-level courses in Visual Media or Visual Communication.
With the advances in Mass Communication, many Indian universities have transformed Journalism programmes into Mass Communication or Communication and Journalism courses. A revolution in communication, following the convergence and integration of communication technologies, has had its impact on journalism and mass communication.
Premier institutions
The Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, offers a postgraduate diploma course in journalism with specialisation in print, new media, television and radio. Graduates in any discipline may appear for an entrance test for selection. Visit www.asianmedia.org for details.
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting offers 10-month postgraduate diploma courses in Journalism in English and Hindi. Graduates in any discipline can get admission on clearing an entrance test and interview. The institute has campuses in New Delhi, Dhenkanal (Orissa), Aizawl (Mizoram), Amravati (Maharashtra), Jammu and Kottayam. The entrance test will be conducted in Kochi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Patna, Lucknow, Guwahati, Kolkata and Nagpur. The fee for the English course is Rs. 50,000. Those appearing for the final-year degree examination can take the entrance test. There are 184 seats for the English course. Duration of the course is ten months.
The institute offers a postgraduate diploma course in Radio and Television Journalism on the New Delhi campus. There are 46 seats and the course fee is Rs. 92,000. Usually, the courses start in August and end in May. Visit www.iimc.gov.in for details.
The English and Foreign Languages University offers an MA Media and Communication course. The course content includes scripting for radio and television, English for writing in newspapers, business writing, oral communication and presentation skills, educational technology, multimedia, visual communication, media in communication and so on. Visit www.efluniversity.ac.in for details.
The Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune, offers a postgraduate programme in Mass Communication with specialisation in print and cyber journalism, public relations and corporate communication and broadcast journalism. Graduates in any discipline are eligible for admission. Selection is through an entrance test and an interview.
The Manipal Institute of Communication of Manipal University offers an MA course in Communication for graduates in any discipline.
The School of Media Studies of SRM University, Kattankulathur, offers an MA course in Journalism and Mass Communication.
The Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore, and the Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai, offer courses in Journalism and Mass Communication.
University courses
The Department of Communication and Journalism on the Karyavattom Campus of the University of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram offers an MCJ course. Selection is based on the marks in the entrance test and the degree examination. Graduates with at least 55 per cent marks in Part III in the case of Science subjects and 50 per cent in the case of others may appear for the entrance test.
The School of Communication and Information Science of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, offers a self-financing Master of Journalism and Communication (MJC) course. Graduates in any discipline can join the course.
Devaswom Board College, Kezhoor, Kottayam, offers the MJC course.
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication on the Tenhipalam campus of the University of Calicut offers an MCJ course. Farook College, Kozhikode; St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda, and SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Vazhayur, Malappuram, all affiliated to the University of Calicut, offers the MCJ course.
Don Bosco College, Angadikkadavu, Kannur, affiliated to Kannur University, offers the MCJ Course.
The Amrita School of Communication offers an MA Mass Communication course for graduates in any discipline.
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, offers a Master’s course in Media for graduates in any discipline (www.ipu.ac.in).
The University of Madras, Chennai; Bharathiar University, Coimbatore; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Pondicherry University, Puducherry; and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; offer Journalism programmes. (The list is only indicative).
PG diploma courses
The Kerala Press Academy, Kakkanad; the institutes of journalism run by the press clubs in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kozhikode; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram; the Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam; the Times School of Journalism, Delhi; and so on conduct postgraduate courses in Journalism. Graduates in any disciplines are eligible for admission.
Job opportunities
Those who pass these courses can join the print and electronic media, news portals or become information officers, public relations officers and so on in the government and private sectors. They can join the Indian Information Service.
Those who have a Ph.D. or have cleared the National Eligibility Test for lectureship can join the faculty in colleges or universities.
