- Applicant Background:
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Do I need a degree in a specific major to be considered for admission? Are there any prerequisite courses that I need to have taken?
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Applicants do not need degrees in any specific major to be admitted into our program. A bachelors degree is required, however. No specific coursework is required.
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What counts as journalism experience?
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Journalism experience is work (paid or unpaid) that has been completed in any media-related field (e.g. newspaper, TV or radio, photojournalism, online publications, freelance writing, etc) with a focus on production for a public audience.
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If I don’t have any journalism experience, do I have a chance of being admitted?
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A lack of journalism experience does not make an applicant ineligible to apply, but it will be challenging for him or her to compete in the highly selective admissions process. Many of our students had some experience with journalism prior to starting the program, either as interns in media outlets or working professionals.
We recommend that individuals with little or no experience in the journalism field enroll in a news-writing course through a continuing education program to gain experience in writing for a public audience. It is also advisable to secure an internship at a newspaper or in your preferred medium. One of the best ways to learn writing techniques is to ask a journalist to mentor you.
- Application and Deadline Information
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When is the application due?
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The deadline for all components of the application is December 1 at midnight. Be sure the online portion of the application is submited by 11:59 p.m. All supplemental materials must be postmarked by December 1. Late applications will not be considered.
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How can I apply for an application fee waiver?
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Download the application fee waiver.
US citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need are eligible for a waiver of the application fee. Participants in the programs listed on the waiver application form must submit the form and provide evidence of their participation to be granted a waiver. Mail completed form the required supporting materials directly to:
Waiver Office, Graduate Admissions
309 Sproul Hall #5900
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
94720-5900
More information is available directly from the Graduate Admissions office of the Graduate Division at 510-642-7405, email: gradadm@berkeley.edu
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What GPA is required in order to be considered for admission?
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The minimum graduate admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution with a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) for all coursework completed after the first two years of study.
We do not accept or decline admission based solely on GPA; instead, we review the applicant’s complete profile, including work samples, letters of recommendation, statements, among other items.
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I'm an international applicant. Am I required to take the TOEFL? Do I have to take the TSE?
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The TOEFL is required of all international applicants unless their country of citizenship has English as its only official language (eg India has several official languages, so the TOEFL is required for all Indian applicants). An exception may be made if an applicant has studied at an American university for at least 12 months. A score of 68 is the minimum requirement for the Internet-based test. Visit the Graduate Division's web site for international applicants for more details.
The TSE is not required.
When taking the TOEFL use institution code 4833 and department code 18. If you have already taken the TOEFL, please make sure that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends your scores to both UC Berkeley (code: 4833) and Journalism (code: 18). Applicants must take the TOEFL no later than December 1. TOEFL scores remain valid for two years.
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I took the GRE, should I submit my scores even though they are no longer required?
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No. The Admissions Committee will no longer consider GRE scores.
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What are acceptable work samples?
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We expect journalists to be sensitive to language and to organize their thoughts clearly and coherently. We ask for the three works samples (preferably published) to demonstrate those qualities. Please limit each sample to five pages or fewer; excerpts from longer pieces are acceptable. Two of the three items must be writing samples, but the third sample may be an audio or video tape, a website, or a photo essay/portfolio.
Applicants who are interested in the broadcast or documentary sequence may choose to submit a documentary work sample in DVD format, but this is not a requirement for admission. A video sample may be submitted only if the student produced and directed the piece.
Audio tapes must be accompanied by a script.
Photographic samples should include 6-10 images, 8” x 11” maximum size. A CD is also acceptable for photographic samples.
Applicants may send print samples in another language, but an English translation mustbe included.
Academic writing samples and research papers are not encouraged.
Note: work samples will not be returned.
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What transcripts are required?
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Two official transcripts are required for all academic work that was applied to your undergraduate degree. This includes community-college classes and study abroad programs if the units counted towards completion of your undergraduate degree. While we do not require transcripts from other graduate programs or from classes taken after a student has a bachelor’s degree through continuing education programs, for example, you may include one copy if you feel that the courses enhance your application.
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Do I need to submit my study abroad transcripts?
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If the name of the course, the number of units, and the grade are listed on your regular transcript, you do not need to submit separate study abroad transcripts from your host university.
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Is it okay if letters and transcripts arrive after the deadline?
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We ask that applicants submit all supplemental material in a single, large envelope. In any case, all supplemental material must be received or postmarked by December 1. Faxed or e-mailed letters of recommendation, are NOT accepted.
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Do I have to use Form G (“Letter of Recommendation”)? What about the waiver?
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Letters of recommendation can arrive on Form G or on letterhead from your recommender, or a combination of the two.
If the letters arrive without Form G, your right of access to the letter will be waived. Similarly, if a letter arrives without the form but the applicant sends the form (G) in the packet, the right of access will still be waived. In order for the right of access to not be waived, the letter of recommendation must be attached to the form.
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On Form A1 of online application, the system asks what program are you applying for, giving the option of either "Journalism (M.Jour.)" or "Journalism (CWO)" ~ what should I select?
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You should select "Journalism (M.Jour.)".
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On Form B (sides 1 and 2) of the Application for Graduate Admission and Fellowships, there are questions that begin with “If your proposed department requires this….” Does the Journalism School require responses to these sections (i.e. faculty contact and GPA)?
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The Journalism School does not require that you complete the section requesting that you note faculty you have contacted. We do require that you compute your GPA using the GPA worksheet included on the Applicant Summary Sheet.
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On Form C of the application, there is a listing of endowed fellowships. Are Journalism School students eligible for any of these fellowships?
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We regret that Journalism School students are ineligible for all of the endowed fellowships.
- Financial Aid
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How do I apply for financial aid ?
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U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must complete Form C, Pages 1 and 2 of the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships, and submit a FAFSA form. Please visit our Financial Aid section for more information. FAFSA accepts priority filing in March.
International students: Financial aid for international students is very limited. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. The University requires that international students who are admitted document their ability to support themselves financially throughout the period of study.
All students are encouraged to start their financial planning early. Investigate government and private resources and consult Web sites devoted to assisting students with funding graduate-level study.
Students may also apply for Graduate Student Instructor or Graduate Student Researcher positions at the J-School or on-campus.
- The J-School Experience
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Can I apply to be a part-time student? Does the Journalism School offer any correspondence/ online courses?
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The program is a two-year, full-time master’s program and we admit students each fall semester. The Journalism School does not offer a part-time program, any correspondence, or online courses.
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Does the Journalism School offer summer classes?
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No. The Journalism School does not offer graduate-level courses during the summer. Other departments may offer classes, however, through the university-wide Summer Session Program.
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Does the Journalism School accept transfer credit from other institutions?
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No.
