Master of Journalism overview
The Master of Journalism offers extensive knowledge of the field. Students can expect to study a broad variety of topics dictated by their interest. Monash University’s course exemplifies this flexibility, offering an extensive array of units in global change, feature writing, investigative reporting, editing, digital storytelling and more. These take two years to complete if studied full time and up to four years if part time, with shorter completion times available depending on relevance of prior study.
Employment options
Graduates from this degree can comfortably access the employment options mentioned here, in addition to fields specific to the areas of interest they elected to take throughout their degree. Students from these programs could make excellent advertising copywriters, for instance, as they learn to hone their writing skills to a fine point. Companies like McCann and Blackbocks desire employees with the exact skillset journalism degrees offer.
Joining a newspaper is equally viable. Through studying the likes of advanced feature writing and investigative reporting, Master of Journalism graduates are well equipped to join large newspapers like The Canberra Times or The Sydney Morning Herald.
Scholarships and funding
Schiavon Scholarships are dedicated to Master of Journalism students, providing an exceptional level of funding compared to similar programs. The only requirements are that students study a Master of Journalism at the University of Melbourne, write two letters of appreciation upon receiving the funding and disclose progress reports to their benefactors. General scholarships are also available, such as the ECIG Scholarship Program or Endeavour Scholarships and Fellows initiative, but they pale in comparison to the Schiavon Scholarships.
Prerequisites and selection process
Master level journalism can often be taken without experience in a cognate discipline, making it an exceptional opportunity for aspiring journalists willing to dedicate two or more years to it. Those that can’t are advised to consider the Graduate Certificate of Journalism.
Experience in a cognate discipline or relevant work experience can permit students and shorten the duration of their degree from two years to one and a half. It’s also possible to enter this program without any bachelor degree at all given sufficient quantity and quality of work experience, as is the case for the University of Melbourne’s program. Having a credit level GPA (65%) can improve chances of admission, as places aren’t guaranteed when minimum requirements are met.