About Master’s Program,
A two-year course of study widely admired by industry leaders, our MJ program graduates informed journalists of uncommon skill, tenacity and vision, prepared to thrive in a dynamic and evolving professional landscape.
Berkeley is a hands-on environment – we believe you’ll develop your skills best by actually producing news stories.
Classes are small. Instructors act as mentors. Faculty are practicing journalists who know how to pursue, report and communicate the story. And they are committed to mentoring the next generation of journalists.
You’ll begin by reporting and producing local news, features and in-depth accounts with powerful multimedia tools. As you go through the program, you will go deeper into the areas in which you choose to concentrate.
Our Master of Journalism degree is immersive, rigorous and demanding – it requires a two-year commitment, because it takes two years to master the craft, fully engage in the culture of journalism, and absorb the skills of storytelling. These include narrative writing, radio, photography, broadcast and online video production, multimedia storytelling, data- and investigative-based journalism.
By the end of your second year, you will have created a portfolio of ambitious, high-quality work, much of it published. And you will join a community of alumni and supporters who will appreciate what you’ve learned and understand the value of your new skills.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution by the time they enroll at UC Berkeley. No specific major is required for admission to Berkeley Journalism.
A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. We do not require the GRE.
For additional information on academic requirements, please visit the Berkeley Graduate Admissions website.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All applicants who apply by the Round 1 deadline of December 16, 2024 will receive priority consideration for Berkeley Journalism departmental funding. All domestic, undocumented, and international students are considered.
Last year, more than 50 percent of students received some sort of departmental funding, although it varies from year to year and is not guaranteed. Funding packages may range from about $5,000 to fully-funded fellowships.
We encourage all interested candidates to apply regardless of financial means.
Merit-based Funding
As with the application, our review process is holistic. We consider merit in the context of academic opportunities, journalism experience, commitment to the field, relevant skills (both direct and transferable), alignment with our mission, overall journalistic abilities, and reference letters.
Need-based Funding
In order to be considered for need-based funding, students must complete the departmental grant section of the admission application. Additionally, domestic students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based funding. This is to determine need relative to the greater applicant pool.
Completing FAFSA does not obligate you to take out a loan. However, UC Berkeley’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office uses FAFSA information to ascertain eligibility for federal and other financial awards.
Application Requirement,
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement
Optional Materials
Letters of Recommendation (2)
Work Samples (2-3)
Transcript
Resume
Personal Video
Required Tests
Interviews
Financial Aid
Application Deadline,
Feb. 3, 2025
Application Fee,
The non-refundable application fee for U.S. citizens and current permanent residents is $135; for all other applicants, the fee is $155.
