COLUMBIA JOURNALISM SCHOOL

25% of students are not American citizens

JANUARY, 7, 2025 - The Columbia Journalism School (CJS), founded by Joseph Pulitzer, has been ranked among the top 10 journalism schools in the United States and globally for many decades. In 2024, 25 CJS graduates were awarded or nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, which annually recognizes the best articles and books that address current affairs in a broad sense. Access for non-U.S. applicants is challenging but not impossible, with about 25% of students being international. Tuition has become expensive, with enrollment fees reaching $71,000 in 2024. The nine to ten months of study are demanding. I recall a sentence from the dean's speech at the time: "You're entering a boot camp," a reference to the GI training camp. However, the pedagogy, which focuses primarily on fieldwork in the first half of the year, followed by specialization and further fieldwork, adheres to the highest professional standards.

Admissions

Why? What is journalism seen as by U.S. professionals?

Admissions | Columbia Journalism School

How? When ?

The application deadline is December 15 of the year prior to the desired enrollment. No applications will be accepted after this date. Applicants will receive a response in mid-March for entry in August, which includes ten months of study for the Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

https://apply.jrn.columbia.edu/apply/

Application Requirements:

1. Proof of English proficiency, with a minimum TOEFL score.

2.A statement detailing your personal and professional motivations.

3. A  resume, including translated documents and notes from your academic background. A minimum requirement is a university degree, which can be in journalism, political science, or a related field. Professional experience in journalism is advantageous.

4. Three letters of recommendation.

5. Translated examples of your journalistic work or other relevant projects. Applicants will need to take a test in a location approved by the school’s administration. This may be at the U.S. consulate in your area if there is an agreement with the management (this was the case for me), or supervised by a senior alumn of the school (I later supervised a candidate myself). The school provides this test, which covers current issues in America and internationally. It may include multiple-choice questions as well as questions that require more detailed answers. It is advisable to subscribe to an American daily newspaper for several months in preparation for this important hour-long examination.

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED?

The Master of Science (M.S.) is the school's founding degree and remains the most popular option, although other programs are available. The curriculum consists of two semesters that include complementary courses.

FIRST SEMESTER

Reporting Workshop (RW1):

This course covers the fundamentals of journalism. You will be part of a small group (with a maximum of ten students) where collaboration and the sharing of techniques, tips, and experiences are encouraged. However, you will work independently in your chosen area (beat) of the city. From August to the end of December, you will explore this area to uncover compelling stories, which you may use for your Master Project—a lengthy article composed of several pages.  You will be required to submit one or two articles each week. Some topics will be assigned (such as police, justice, education, economy, and politics), while others will allow you the freedom to pursue subjects of your choosing, allowing you to highlight your interests and the portraits of people you meet during your explorations. Timely submissions are crucial, as delays will not be taken lightly by your mentors.

You will receive guidance from two mentors in your group who are experienced journalists actively working in their respective media outlets. The American approach to journalism taught at the CJS (and other institutions) follows specific organizational rules, vocabulary (AP Style), and ethics, with a three-hour seminar each week.

This framework, rooted in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, influenced  some European practices, particularly Scandinavian. However, it can sometimes cause misunderstandings for journalists from other cultures, especially those from Latin regions.