Student Life | Columbia Journalism School

Student Life

How to have the best academic and extracurricular experience

The Student Affairs office helps students navigate all aspects of their journalism education – from academics to housing. Learn about student associations, school policies and the many resources available to you.

Student-only Events

New Student Information

Extracurricular Activities

Journalism Industry Leadership

The Tow Center for Digital Journalism explores the ways in which technology is changing journalism. It offers a full schedule of events throughout the year, including more intimate gatherings like bi-monthly Tow Teas with some of the top media players from outlets like Buzzfeed, Mashable, VICE among many others. Tow offers research fellowships that often lead to published work, like Vanessa Quirk ’15 M.A. Arts & Culture “Guide to Podcasting.” Tow seeks contributors to its blog and people to cover its events, write tips and tutorials.

The Brown Institute for Media Innovation is a collaboration between Columbia University and Stanford University, designed to encourage and support new endeavors in media. Brown awards renewable fellowships to postgraduate or graduate students who create engineering prototypes, innovative media products, or carry out related research. Brown also offers Columbia and Stanford communities the opportunity to submit proposals for Magic Grants. It looks for ideas that are original and have the potential to bring true innovation in the media world, like  Alyson Martin and Nushin Rashidian ’10 M.S. Cannabis Wire, and Jika Gonzalez ’14 M.S. “Cuba Interconectada."

The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma serves as a resource center and global network of journalists, journalism educators and health professionals dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma, conflict and tragedy. Dart provides travel and lodging assistance through a competitive process that allows students to participate in specialized training workshops on topics that include covering youth violence, suicide and gun violence. It hires a work-study student each academic year to help with editorial content and program promotion. Dart encourages students to pitch blog posts or feature stories for publication on its website.

Events & Lectures

Columbia Journalism School has lecture series to enhance and support the classroom and reporting work. Many of our events offer the opportunity to meet industry leaders, ask questions and network.

Dean's Roundtables bring together luminaries to have lunch with small groups of about 20 students invited by Dean Coll. People like author and journalist Gail Sheehy, CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of Hearst Steve Swartz, publisher Alice Rogoff and executive chairman of Alphabet Inc. (formerly called Google) Eric Schmidt field questions from students during engaging Dean's Roundtable conversations.

The Thought Leaders Series brings to the Journalism School journalists and media leaders who will address current issues and concerns. The series, which takes place most Tuesdays in the fall semester, is designed to complement what students are learning in their classes and provide them the opportunity to meet leading practitioners.

The Alfred I. duPont Center for Broadcast & Digital Journalism sponsors many events at the school including the Film Fridays series, that screens a documentary and invites filmmakers to discuss their work like Alex Gibney, Joshua Oppenheimer, Barbara Kopple and Rachel Boynton ’97 M.S. It also holds a lecture series with current duPont winners at the School for students in January. duPont has also started a podcast series, OnAssignment, based on recorded J-School events, which duPont Fellows help produce.

Hearst Digital Media Lectures examine the changing media industry with an emphasis on digital media and online journalism, and supports the Hearst Digital Media Professional-in-Residence who participates in classes and programs, critiques student work, and delivers two lectures during the school year. The series and residency are sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Recent Hearst Digital Medial Professionals-in-Residence include Ken Lerer, Steven Berlin Johnson, Krishna Bharat, Rebecca MacKinnon, Amanda Cox, Mario Garcia, Kevin Delaney, Meredith Artley and Melissa Bell. 

Delacorte Lectures on Magazine Journalism examine aspects of magazine journalism by a leader in the field of magazine publishing. The series is headed by Keith Gessen, the George T. Delacorte Professor in Magazine Journalism and director of the Delacorte Center. Recent guests have included Calvin Trillin, Martha Stewart, Jake Silverstein, David Remnick and Robbie Myers.

The Lorana Sullivan Lecture Series, founded in 2014, is held in honor of the award-winning, pioneer of investigative journalism, Lorana Sullivan J’64.  The series is designed to enhance the role of women in business and financial reporting and generally to improve the quality of investigative journalism. Recent speakers include Dean Steve Coll, Bethany McLean and Diana Henriques.

The Henry Pringle Lecture is named for a long-time faculty member of this school, a Pulitzer Prize winner in biography and a reporter for The Washington Post.  The Pringle Lectures were endowed by the school’s alumni in Washington, D.C. following Pringle’s death in 1958. The annual guest lecturer is asked to speak to graduates on Journalism Day, the day before graduation, on any aspect of Washington politics, public affairs or the media. Recent speakers include Jorge Ramos,  Jane Mayer, Carol Rosenberg, Jim VandeHei and David Brooks.

Important Student Dates

 

Summer 2023 Semester

 

Monday, May 22 - Summer classes begin

 

Tuesday, May 30 - Summer add/drop ends

 

Friday, Aug. 11 - Summer classes end

 

Saturday, Aug. 12 - Data Journalism/Documentary Graduation

 

Friday, Sept. 1 - Last day of summer classes - Continuing PT students

 

Fall 2023 Semester 

 

Tuesday, Aug. 15 - M.S./Data/SEAS International Orientation

 

Wednesday, Aug. 16 – Thursday, Aug. 17 – M.S./Data/SEAS Orientation

 

Friday, Aug. 18 – M.S./Data/SEAS classes begin

 

Monday, Aug. 21 – Add/Drop opens for M.S. students

 

Friday, Aug. 25 – Last day for August starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Monday, Aug. 28 – Cross Registration opens

 

Wednesday, Aug. 30 – M.A./Ph.D./Spencer International Orientation

 

Thursday, Aug. 31 – M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Orientation

 

Friday, Sept. 1 – Fall Prep Day

 

Friday, Sept. 1 - Affinity Group Meeting

 

Monday, Sept. 4 – Labor Day – University holiday

 

Tuesday, Sept. 5 - M.A./PhD/Spencer/PT & SEAS continuing - classes begin

 

Friday, Sept. 15 - Last day for September starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Friday, Sept. 15 – Add/Drop and Cross Registration close

 

Monday, Oct. 9 – Columbus Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Friday, Oct. 13 - MA Thesis: Deadline to submit non-print requests

 

Wednesday, Oct. 18 – October degrees conferred

 

Friday, Oct. 20 - M.S. 1st seven week classes end

 

Friday, Oct. 20 - MA Thesis: Non-print approvals sent out

 

Wednesday, Oct. 25 - M.S. 2nd seven week classes begin

 

Monday, Nov. 6 – University Holiday – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Tuesday, Nov. 7 – Election Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Saturday, Nov. 11 – Veteran's Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Thursday, Nov. 16 - MA Thesis: Proposal and travel fund request deadline

 

Wednesday, Nov. 22 – Friday, Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving break

 

Saturday, Nov. 25 - NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Monday, Nov. 27 - MA Thesis: Travel fund request approvals sent out

 

Saturday, Dec. 16 - Fall Semester Ends

 

Sunday, Dec. 17 – Tuesday, Jan. 2 - Winter break

 

Wednesday, Jan. 3 - Wednesday, Jan 17- MP/MT Reporting 

 

 

Spring 2024 Semester

 

Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Add/Drop opens

 

Monday, Jan. 8 – Cross Registration opens

 

Tuesday, Jan. 16 - University classes begin

 

Wednesday, Jan. 17 - Spring Prep Day (Mandatory for all FT M.S. and Data J Students)

 

Thursday, Jan. 18 - Journalism Spring classes begin

 

Friday, Jan 26 - Last day to withdraw with a full tuition refund for the spring semester

 

Friday, Jan. 26 - Add/Drop and Cross Registration closes

 

Monday, Jan. 29 - MA Thesis: 1st Draft Due

 

Wednesday, Feb. 14 - February degrees conferred

 

Friday, Mar. 8 - MS Master's Project: Final Project Due

 

Monday, Mar. 11 - MA Thesis: 2nd Draft Due

 

Monday, Mar. 11 - Friday, Mar. 15- Spring Break 

 

Friday, Apr. 12 - MA Thesis: Final Project Due

 

Saturday, May 11 - Spring semester ends

 

Tuesday, May 14 - Journalism Day

 

Wednesday, May 15 - Graduation 

 

 

 

PAST SEMESTERS 

 

Summer 2020 Semester 

 

Saturday, May 23 -  Part-time M.S. & Doc MP class begins

 

Friday, September 4 - Part-time M.S. & Doc MP Final Submission Due

 

 

Fall 2020 Semester 

 

Monday, Aug. 10 – Cross registration opens

 

Monday, Aug. 17 – Tuesday, Aug. 18 – M.S./Data/SEAS Orientation

 

Wednesday, Aug. 19 – M.S./Data/SEAS (1st Year) classes begin

 

Thursday, Sept. 3 – M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Orientation

 

Friday, Sept. 4 - M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Orientation

 

Friday, Sept. 4 - Affinity Group Meeting

 

Monday, Sept. 7 – Labor Day – University holiday

 

Tuesday, Sept. 8 - Fall schedule begins

 

Friday, Sept. 18 - Cross registration closes

 

Monday, Oct. 12 – Columbus Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Wednesday, Oct. 21– October degrees conferred

 

Friday, Oct. 23 - M.S. 1st seven week classes end

 

Wednesday, Oct. 28 - M.S. 2nd seven week classes begin

 

Monday, Nov. 2 – University Holiday – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Election Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Veteran's Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Wednesday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving break

 

Saturday, Dec. 19 - Semester Ends

 

Sunday, Dec. 20 - Sunday, Jan. 3 - Winter break

 

Monday, Jan. 4 - Wednesday, Jan 20 - MP/MT Reporting (two term students)

 

 

Spring 2021 Semester

 

Monday, Jan. 4 - Tuesday, Jan. 5 -  January Orientation

 

Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Intro/Pre-Reporting instruction for Jan admits

 

Monday, Jan. 11 - University classes begin

 

Thursday, Jan. 21 - Journalism Spring classes begin

 

Friday, Jan. 29 - Add/Drop and Cross Registration closes

 

Monday, Mar. 1 - Saturday, Mar. 6 - University Spring Break

 

Friday, Mar. 5 - M.S. 1st seven week classes end

 

Monday, Mar. 8 - 2nd seven week classes start for Jan start MS students

 

Monday, Mar. 15 - Friday, Mar. 19 - Spring Break for continuing students

 

Monday, Mar. 22 - 2nd seven week classes start for continuing M.S. students

 

Friday, April 23 - University classes end

 

Saturday, Apr. 24 - Spring semester ends for Jan start M.S. students

 

Saturday, Apr. 24 - Friday, May 7 - Spring Break for Jan start students

 

Wednesday, Apr. 28 - University Commencement

 

Saturday, May 15 - Spring semester ends for continuing students

 

Tuesday, May 18 - Journalism Day

 

Wednesday, May 19 - Graduation 

 

Summer 2021 Semester

 

Monday, May 10 - Friday, May 21 - M.S. MP Reporting time for Jan start students

 

Monday, May 24 - Summer classes begin

 

Friday, May 28 - Summer add/drop ends

 

Monday, Aug. 2 - M.A. Master's Thesis deadline

 

Friday, Aug. 13 - Classes end for FT MS; MA; Doc students

 

Friday, Sept. 3 - MP's due for PT continuing MS students

 

Fall 2021 Semester 

 

Monday, Aug. 16 – Tuesday, Aug. 17 – M.S./Data/SEAS Orientation

 

Wednesday, Aug. 18 – M.S./Data/SEAS classes begin

 

Friday, Aug. 27 - Last day for August starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Thursday, Sept. 2 –  Friday, Sept. 3– M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Orientation

 

Friday, Sept. 3 - Affinity Group Meeting

 

Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day – University holiday

 

Tuesday, Sept. 7 - Wednesday, Sept. 8 - NO CLASSES AT THE J-SCHOOL

 

Thursday, Sept. 9 - M.A./PhD/Spencer/PT & SEAS continuing - classes begin

 

Friday, Sept. 24 - Last day for September starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Monday, Oct. 11 – Columbus Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Wednesday, Oct. 20– October degrees conferred

 

Friday, Oct. 22 - M.S. 1st seven week classes end

 

Wednesday, Oct. 27 - M.S. 2nd seven week classes begin

 

Monday, Nov. 1 – University Holiday – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Tuesday, Nov. 2 – Election Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Thursday, Nov. 11 – Veteran's Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Wednesday, Nov. 24 – Friday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving break

 

Saturday, Nov. 27 - NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Saturday, Dec. 18 - Semester Ends

 

Sunday, Dec. 19 - Sunday, Jan. 2 - Winter break

 

Monday, Jan. 3 - Wednesday, Jan 19- MP/MT Reporting 

 

Spring 2022 Semester

 

Tuesday, Jan. 18 - University classes begin

 

Thursday, Jan. 20 - Journalism Spring classes begin

 

Friday, Jan 28 - Last day to withdraw with a full tuition refund for the spring semester

 

Friday, Jan. 28 - Add/Drop and Cross Registration closes

 

Wednesday, Feb. 9 - February degrees conferred

 

Monday, Mar. 14 - Friday, Mar. 18 - Spring Break 

 

Saturday, Mar. 26 - Career Expo (virtual)

 

Monday, Mar. 28 - Career Expo (virtual) - All J-School classes are cancelled
 

Saturday, May 14 - Spring semester ends

 

Tuesday, May 17 - Journalism Day

 

Wednesday, May 18 - Graduation 

 

Summer 2022 Semester

 

Monday, May 23 - Summer classes begin

 

Monday, May 30 - Summer add/drop ends

 

Friday, Aug. 12 - Summer classes end

 

Friday, Sept. 2 - Last day of summer classes - Continuing PT students

 

Fall 2022 Semester 

 

Monday, Aug. 15 - M.S./Data/SEAS International Orientation

 

Tuesday, Aug. 16 – Wednesday, Aug. 17 – M.S./Data/SEAS Orientation

 

Thursday, Aug. 18 – M.S./Data/SEAS classes begin

 

Monday, Aug. 22 – Add/Drop opens for M.S. students

 

Friday, Aug. 26 – Last day for August starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Monday, Aug. 29 – Cross Registration opens

 

Wednesday, Aug. 31 – M.A./Ph.D./Spencer International Orientation

 

Thursday, Sept. 1 – M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Orientation

 

Friday, Sept. 2 – Fall Prep Day

 

Friday, Sept. 2 - Affinity Group Meeting

 

Monday, Sept. 5 – Labor Day – University holiday

 

Tuesday, Sept. 6 - M.A./PhD/Spencer/PT & SEAS continuing - classes begin

 

Friday, Sept. 16 - Last day for September starts to withdraw with a full tuition refund

 

Friday, Sept. 16 – Add/Drop and Cross Registration close

 

Monday, Oct. 10 – Columbus Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Friday, Oct. 14 - MA Thesis: Deadline to submit non-print requests

 

Wednesday, Oct. 19 – October degrees conferred

 

Friday, Oct. 21 - M.S. 1st seven week classes end

 

Friday, Oct. 14 - MA Thesis: Non-print approvals sent out

 

Wednesday, Oct. 26 - M.S. 2nd seven week classes begin

 

Monday, Nov. 7 – University Holiday – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Election Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Friday, Nov. 11 – Veteran's Day – NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Thursday, Nov. 17 - MA Thesis: Proposal and travel fund request deadline

 

Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Friday, Nov. 25 – Thanksgiving break

 

Saturday, Nov. 26 - NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE J-SCHOOL, CLASSES IN SESSION

 

Monday, Nov. 28 - MA Thesis: Travel fund request approvals sent out

 

Saturday, Dec. 17 - Semester Ends

 

Sunday, Dec. 18 – Monday, Jan. 2 - Winter break

 

Tuesday, Jan. 3 - Wednesday, Jan 18- MP/MT Reporting 

 

 

Spring 2023 Semester

 

Tuesday, Jan. 3 – Add/Drop opens

 

Monday, Jan. 9 – Cross Registration opens

 

Tuesday, Jan. 17 - University classes begin

 

Thursday, Jan. 19 - Journalism Spring classes begin

 

Friday, Jan 27 - Last day to withdraw with a full tuition refund for the spring semester

 

Friday, Jan. 27 - Add/Drop and Cross Registration closes

 

Monday, Jan. 30 - MA Thesis: 1st Draft Due

 

Wednesday, Feb. 8 - February degrees conferred

 

Friday, Mar. 10 - MS Master's Project: Final Project Due

 

Monday, Mar. 13 - MA Thesis: 2nd Draft Due

 

Monday, Mar. 13 - Friday, Mar. 17- Spring Break 

 

Friday, Apr. 14 - MA Thesis: Final Project Due

 

Saturday, May 13 - Spring semester ends

 

Tuesday, May 16 - Journalism Day

 

Wednesday, May 17 - Graduation 

Graduation Rates

See recent graduation rates below.

FT Master of Science

Academic Year

Enrolled

Graduated

Graduation Rate (%)

2014-2015

236

230

97

2015-2016

240

238

98

2016-2017

232

231

99

2017-2018

204

203

99

2018-2019

188

180

96

2019-2020

181

161

89

2020-2021

161

161

100

2021-2022

250

244

97

2022-2023 141 138 98

PT Master of Science

Academic Year

Enrolled

Graduated

Graduation Rate (%)

2014-2015

32

30

94

2015-2016

30

28

93

2016-2017

34

31

92

2017-2018

28

25

92

2018-2019

25

25

100

2019-2020

32

32

100

2020-2021

29

26

90

2021-2022

34

32

94

2022-2023 34 31 91

Master of Arts

Academic Year

Enrolled

Graduated

Graduation Rate (%)

2014-2015

44

44

100

2015-2016

53

52

98

2016-2017

48

48

100

2017-2018

48

48

100

2018-2019

40

38

95

2019-2020

44

44

100

2020-2021

28

27

96

2021-2022

54

51

95

2022-2023 41 41 100

Dual Degree Computer Science

Academic Year

Enrolled

Graduated

Graduation Rate (%)

2014-2015

9

9

100

2015-2016

6

6

100

2016-2017

6

6

100

2017-2018

6

5

99

2018-2019

9

8

95

2019-2020

6

6

100

2020-2021

4

4

100

2021-2022

4

4

100

2022-2023 1 1 100

M.S. Data Journalism                 

Academic Year

Enrolled

Graduated

Graduation Rate (%)

2018-2019

10

10

100

2019-2020

20

19

95

2020-2021

16

16

100

2021-2022

21

21

100

2022-2023 18 TBA TBA

 

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