Admissions

Hear from Columbia Journalism School alumni about the student experience, why they chose to attend CJS and more.

Thinking About J-School? Why Columbia Stands Out

Admissions

Columbia Journalism School’s degree programs are designed for a diverse and global student community, from those with little to no journalism experience to those who have been working in the field for years. Our students arrive at Pulitzer Hall hailing from dozens of countries and states and from a wide range of educational backgrounds.

Learn more about the application fee waiver and the School's commitment to Access.

Why Columbia?

Centers and Institutes

J-10 ceremony in the Brown Institute
You will have the chance to engage with our eight world-class centers and institutes, which serve as global industry leaders in journalism innovation, research and training.

World-Class Faculty

Professor speaking with students
You will have the opportunity to take small, hands-on classes in all storytelling mediums taught by distinguished journalists, including winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, the Peabody Award, the Emmy Award, the National Magazine Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Report in N.Y.C.

Students in New York
You will tell stories across the vibrant communities of New York, an inexhaustibly exciting and international city that is also one of the great media capitals.

Career Development

CJS alumni panel
You will participate in the largest journalism career expo in the world and receive thorough, one-on-one career development counseling and the year-round opportunity to network with news organizations from across the U.S. and around the globe.

Prizes

Pulitzer Prizes sign
You will have the opportunity to meet with many of the recipients and jurors of the preeminent journalism prizes that are administered by the school.

Alumni Network

Alumni speaking
When you graduate, you will join the more than 15,000 members of the Columbia Journalism School alumni community, which spans the globe and offers professional and social networking throughout the year.

Marina Roman, '27 M.S. Part-Time, Answers Your Questions

Explore Our Degree Programs

N+2 students
Master of Science

9.5 months

The Master of Science Program offers a broad and flexible curriculum in which you can select a world-class education in the journalism mediums and subjects that matter to you, all while you gain the fundamental professional skills in reporting, storytelling and ethics that will make you stand out throughout your career.

Alumni panel in Pulitzer Hall
Master of Science, Stabile Investigative Specialization

9.5 months

The Master of Science, Stabile Investigative Specialization offers the in-depth training needed to uncover wrongdoing and hold institutions and individuals accountable through investigative reporting.

Student with video camera and tripod
Master of Science, Documentary Specialization

12 months

The Master of Science, Documentary Specialization offers extensive training in reporting, visual storytelling, camerawork and editing - leading to the creation of a professional-quality documentary film.

Group of students working
Part-time Master of Science

Two academic years and a summer 

The Part-time Master of Science provides a flexible but no less rigorous curriculum designed for students to earn their degree while also maintaining a job.

Professor Jonathan Soma assisting students in class.
M.S. in Data Journalism

12 months

The M.S. in Data Journalism provides the hands-on journalistic and computational training needed to tell deeply reported data-driven stories in the public interest.

Person asking a question during the Ida B. Wells Symposium
Dual M.S. in Journalism and Computer Science

Two academic years

The Dual M.S. in Journalism and Computer Science offers the specialized training to develop technical and editorial skills in all aspects of computer-supported news gathering and digital media production.

Aerial photo of classroom.
Master of Arts

9 months

The Master of Arts trains experienced journalists to go deeper and equips them with subject-area expertise in one of four concentration areas - Arts & Culture, Business & Economics, Politics, or Science - so they can explain complicated issues to the public through ambitious, compelling storytelling. 

Group graduation photo outside Pulitzer Hall
Ph.D in Communications

Typically completed in five to seven years

The Ph.D. in Communications offers a select group of students a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the relationships between people and media that trains them over several years to become professors, research scholars and policy makers.

Many Paths Lead to Columbia

Photo of Tarin Almanzar, Senior Associate Dean, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management

“Whether you are new to journalism or looking to accelerate your career in the field, Columbia has degree programs that will meet you where you are and help you achieve your professional goals. Regardless of where you’ve studied, worked or lived before, if you are passionate about storytelling, this is the ideal community for you.”

Tarin Almanzar, Senior Associate Dean, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management

Choose A Day in the Life

Person seated at a news desk with a city skyline backdrop.
Monét Guilbeau, ’25 M.S.

Follow Monét for a day in the broadcast booth. 

A young person with curly hair and a mustache, wearing a black shirt, smiling outdoors.
Dante Dallago, '25 M.S.

Join Dante's day covering stories from Capitol Hill to campus.

Person smiling with braided hair, wearing a light-colored top and accessories.
Jala Everett, '25 M.S.

Take a look at the Video Newsroom course through Jala's lens.

Person with blonde hair smiling, wearing a maroon sweater, outdoors.
Eleanor Hildebrandt, '25 M.S.

Watch Eleanor report in the field and bring audio stories to life.