Welcome Class of 2027!

Congratulations! We are thrilled to welcome you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as part of the next generation of journalists.

In times of uncertainty, Berkeley Journalism remains committed to truth, integrity, and the power of a free press. More than a school, we are a community that stands together, upholds its values, and supports one another. Acting Dean Elena Conis affirms our dedication to equity and inclusion, recognizing diversity as our strength and prioritizing the safety and rights of all. Therefore, we will therefore, continue to provide resources and opportunities for critical conversations on journalism, democracy, and the challenges they face.

Why Berkeley Journalism?

Now more than ever, the world needs bold, fearless journalists who seek the truth and hold power to account. At Berkeley Journalism, you’ll be part of a mission-driven community that sees journalism as essential to democracy.

Our curriculum—rooted in multi-platform storytelling, investigative projects, and hands-on reporting—equips you with the skills to make an immediate impact. Our distinguished faculty will challenge and mentor you, and our alums, among the most respected in the field, produce award-winning work that shapes public discourse.

As you begin this journey, know that you are joining a dynamic, diverse, and purpose-driven community. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish!

News & Announcements

Keep an eye out for future communications from both Graduate Division and Berkeley Journalism on next steps!

  • Join Virtual Office Hours on Fridays 10-11 AM
    Next sessions: Friday, May 2, May 9 (last session leading up to SIR deadline of May 15)
    (Zoom link access here)
  • Graduate Funding Webinar: Applying for ASE & Other Funding Opportunities 
    Thursday, May 1, 2025, 12:00-12:45pm PT
    (Register here)
  • SAVE THE DATE for Showcase Events 
    May 13-16, 2025
    (Register here) Please register to secure your spot! (Limited spots available.)
  • Belong at Berkeley Webinar Series 
    (Recordings linked here)
  • Connect with a current Berkeley Journalism student!
    (*Please note, this is discontinued as of now, given current student finals, showcase, commencement, and summer break)

Next Steps

Stay on Track! Each step brings you closer to joining the Berkeley Journalism community—we’re here to support you along the way!

Start Here

Reply to your Offer of Admission

As a reminder, your official admissions offer will come from the Berkeley Graduate Division via email once they have verified your transcripts, diplomas, GPA and other documents. For more information on next steps, read here on accepting your offer.

Please note: accepting your offer is not legally binding, you will not be penalized if you are unable to join us, but please do email us at journalism_admissions@berkeley.edu if something changes and you need to withdraw. No enrollment deposit will be asked of you. 

Start Here

Step 2

Create your CalNet ID

Within 24-48 hours of accepting your offer, you will receive an email with your student ID number and instructions to create your CalNet ID. This ID will enable you to create your UC Berkeley email, access campus web-based applications, and apply for more funding opportunities including ASE positions as well as graduate housing, if interested.

Ready for Berkeley?

Step 2

Step 4

Connect with Us and your Future Community!

Connect with us during our weekly Virtual Office Hours every Friday 10-11am PT and take advantage of the wide array of resources specially designed to support you as you prepare to join us this fall. I also recommend exploring the Graduate Student Resources page. Berkeley is a big place and there are so man resources to help you along the way!

End of April and May, we’ll be sharing more details about what to expect, including key orientation dates, your first-semester course schedule, and—very exciting—an invitation to join the official Class of 2027 Slack channel. Slack is our main platform here at UC Berkeley, and a great way to connect with fellow incoming students (especially around things like housing), and it will also be your go-to spot for timely updates from Admissions and Student Services.

Step 4

Step 5

Apply & Learn More About Funding

We know that funding plays a key role in your decision-making process, and we recognize the significant commitment you're making in pursuing your graduate education. Please know that we’re here to support you every step of the way.

As part of this, we will continue to send out weekly updates (1–2x per week) to committed students with important info on funding opportunities, including Academic Student Employment.

We’ll also be posting ASE positions and other unique fellowship and grant opportunities via the Class of 2027 Slack channel as they arise, so be sure to check your email regarding your invitation to Slack as a committed student.

 

Step 5

Step 3

Join us at "Showcase Week" in May

Experience the best of Berkeley Journalism at Showcase Week—a dynamic series of events where our soon-to-be graduates present their powerful master’s projects. Over the course of the week, you’ll witness groundbreaking storytelling across mediums, often created in collaboration with peers from different tracks. Each session offers a front-row seat to the future of journalism—plus a chance to connect with students, faculty, and industry professionals over a welcoming reception. Don’t miss this inspiring glimpse into the work you could one day create!

Be sure to register for all events of interest. 

Step 3

All Done!

Prepare for your Arrival & Orientations

Prepare to come to campus by August 20th as many graduate student orientations including our departmental orientation and bootcamp will start from mid August onward.

Please check the Fall 2025 Academic Calendar (PDF) for key dates.

Key Dates for incoming Fall 2025 Berkeley Journalism students:

  • Berkeley Journalism Orientation - August 20-22 (TBC)
  • Faculty-Led Workshop - August 26-27 (TBC)
  • 1st Day of Berkeley Journalism Instruction - August 28

Other Orientation Events (*optional):

All Done!

Student Life & Campus Experience

Events

Resources

FAQs

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Student Life & Campus Experience

Events

Student Life & Campus Experience

Resources

Campus Resources

  • Check our our Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2025 and Berkeley Impact Report to learn more about all the incredible things happening across the J-School and beyond!
  • Campus Resources from Graduate Division are a good place to start in exploring all that campus has to offer.
  • You will also want to check out the Tang Health Center Website for more information about health insurance, counseling and psychological services and healthy living at Cal. We take your health and mental health very seriously, the Tang Center is a great place to start to see how you can keep your life in balance as you begin our rigorous 2-year program.
  • "Belong at Berkeley" is a series of 10 or so webinars that will orient you to the Berkeley experience, designed with newly admitted graduate students who are underrepresented in higher education in mind, but also open to all admitted graduate students. (Recordings will become available by end of March.)

Previous Event Recordings

 

Student Life & Campus Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: We’ll be on summer break from May 15 to August 20. During this time, students will be away and graduate classes will not be in session.

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If you’d like to visit, we’d love to meet you! Just email us at journalism_admissions@berkeley.edu to set up a time.

You are also welcome to book a time to do a UC Berkeley campus tour, whether self-guided or a special admitted student campus tour! There is so much to see and experience while here. Check the virtual campus map here for guidance.

Please be sure to check if you need to register before joining any tours of interest below:

Please note: This form will be unavailable over the summer (from May 1 through August 20, 2025) while our current students are preparing for Showcase, Commencement, and are on summer break.

However, you're always welcome to connect with our students and alumni on LinkedIn—I am certain they'd love to hear about your interest in joining us!

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We're excited to help you explore our vibrant community. Connect with a current student who is eager to share their unique experiences and perspectives. Whether you're curious about our programs, student life, or career opportunities, we're here to support you.

Simply fill out this Connect Request Form, and we’ll thoughtfully match you with someone who aligns with your interests, background, or goals, ensuring you receive personalized insights. We look forward to connecting with you!

While we recommend that you aim to take part in class visits during the designated "Berkeley Journalism Welcome Week," you are always welcome to sit in on a class that works for your schedule. Just be sure to email us ahead of time to help confirm and coordinate your class visit.

Please check the Spring 2025 Course Schedule to find an up-to-date list of classes you as an admitted student are able and welcome to sit in on.

For those joining class visits during Welcome Week (April 7-10, 2025), please be sure to register here in advance.

All graduate student parents should apply for the graduate student parent grant. A new application will be available soon. The University Health Service's work/life balance site also has good resources for graduate parents.

In addition, you can reach out to journalism_admissions@berkeley.edu, for any immediate questions and connections to current student parents. 

Housing in the Bay Area can be very competitive and should be factored into your cost of living if you are moving here from outside the area.

The rental market heats up in August just before school starts, so some students consider securing a place to live by July 1st or August 1st. You can acquire more Housing Tips from Graduate Division.

Housing resources include (but are not limited to):

Incoming students often connect online via Slack, once you added to those channels in May, to pair up and look for housing together. Current students about to graduate will also post housing listings that may be coming up as they make their plans to leave the Bay Area. 

At Berkeley Journalism, we primarily use Slack for communication and also have a specialized site, My J-School, maintained by our Student Services Team.

This year, we will work on adding you to your "Class of 2027" Slack channel as early as possible, ideally by end of April for students who officially SIR/accept their offer of admission and have a Berkeley email address.

You will also be added to a wide range of Slack channels around housing, ASE opportunities, fellowship opportunities and more. This space will allow you to connect with your future Year 1 classmates and Year 2 peers via affinity groups (e.g. NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, NLGJA, SPJ, etc.), student clubs, different cohort groups, and engage with the larger Berkeley community.

A car is helpful, but it is not a must. Many graduate students rely on their bicycle, electric scooter, and public transportation. The UC Berkeley campus is just a 5-minute walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART (the local metro) station, and Berkeley Journalism is a short 10 to 15-minute walk from BART.

For projects that require a car, some use Uber, Lyft, or Zip Car or pair up with a fellow classmate who may have their own car (often the case).

With numerous, quickly evolving federal policy shifts underway, the University of California is working diligently to monitor these developments and seek clarity on a range of issues. We remain committed to our UC values as stated in our Principles of Community, and we will continue to pursue UC’s mission of teaching, research, and public service in the most effective ways we can. We recognize this uncertainty has caused concern across the UC community, and we will continue to share updates and resources as they become available.

You can stay up-to-date on Federal Updates and how it may impact you here.

Explore BIO's Web Series from last year (Fall 2024) where international students show you how to navigate situations like finding housing, choosing course and social settings:

BIO is also offering a series of Pre-Arrival Online Webinars for incoming students from end of April through mid July, presented by advisors at Berkeley International Office, which are designed to help you make a smooth transition to UC Berkeley. 

We want to acknowledge the concerns many international students may have at current around recent visa policy developments. Please know that we’re working closely with the Berkeley International Office (BIO) to stay informed and to support you through every step of this transition.

UC Berkeley's BIO team is here to help you navigate any challenges that may arise and support you in your journey to Berkeley. Below, you'll find a few helpful resources from their team to guide you further:

You can find even more information on the BIO website here: https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu

BIO Student Services communicates important updates primarily via email, so please check your inbox regularly. Should you have any questions, it is best to email them directly at: internationaloffice@berkeley.edu. Their typical response time is up to 3 business days.

Academic & Career Preparation

Events

Resources

FAQs

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Academic & Career Preparation

Events

Academic & Career Preparation

Resources

Academic Resources

Career Development Resources

Previous Event Recordings

 

Track-by-Track Technical Equipment Overviews

Audio Equipment overview (PDF 439 KB)
Documentary Equipment overview (PDF 1.1 MB)
Multimedia Equipment overview (PDF 840 KB)
Photojournalism Equipment overview (PDF 763 KB)

Costs & Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

As a reminder, your official admissions offer will come from the Berkeley Graduate Division via email once they have verified your transcripts, diplomas, GPA and other documents. The Graduate Division will be processing a large number of University-wide admissions offers so it may take them some time to get to everyone. If there is any issue with the University approving your admission you will hear from us.

Congratulations again, and welcome to Cal! The next step is to login to your application status page and complete the “Reply to Offer of Admission” form to let us know if you’re coming.

  • To accept your offer of admission: please complete the “Reply to Offer of Admission” form to formally accept admission.
  • To decline your offer of admission, we still kindly ask that you complete the form and follow-up questions, so that we may learn more about your decision and offer your spot to someone else waiting to hear back.

For more information on next steps, read here on accepting your offer.

You will receive an email from the university within a few days post-submitting your SIR with detailed instructions on how to claim your CalNet ID.
 
From there, you will be able to access many resources including applying for graduate housing.
You will be sent a survey late-May asking specific questions about experience, J200 preferences, etc. Your answers will help us set the course sections.
 
J200 sections will be announced in mid-July. The J200 announcement will also include your set schedule of classes for the fall semester based on requirements.

Important Dates for Incoming Students: 

  • First Day of Classes (SEE: Registrar Academic Calendar)
    • Fall Semester Begins: Wed, Aug. 20, 2025
    • First Day of Instruction Begins: Wed, Aug. 27, 2025
  • UC Berkeley Student Orientations
  • Berkeley Journalism Department Orientation - TBC (typically in mid August), so you should aim to be on campus by Aug. 18 to take full advantage of the array of on-campus orientations.

There are only one-year deferrals for extreme and exceptional cases, such as personal or family emergencies or visa challenges, that prevent you from enrolling in the year that you are admitted. 

Please contact Admissions at journalism_admissions@berkeley.edu if you would like to discuss a potential deferral. We will assess on a case by case basis. This will also require not only departmental approval but also that of UC Berkeley Central Graduate Division.

In order to defer, you must first officially accept your offer by May 15th. All deferral requests must be made by no later than June 1st, 2025.

Costs & Funding

Events

Resources

FAQs

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Costs & Funding

Events

Costs & Funding

Resources

Tuition Costs & Bugdeting

  • For up-to-date tuition and fees, visit the UC Berkeley Registrar website. All fees are listed per semester. Please note: the displayed tuition and fees reflect those of the current academic year and will be finalized for Fall 2025 closer to the start of the academic year, typically by early summer.
  • We also encourage you to review the Graduate Student Budget as outlined on the The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office website, which should be helpful to you as you make a financial plan to support your time here.

Previous Event Recordings

Costs & Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Fees & Billing Timeline for Fall

Tuition and fees are typically due the Friday before instruction begins. You’ll see your fees posted in CalCentral once you register for classes, which opens in July for incoming students. While fees are due early, late fees won’t apply until mid-September.

Federal student loans begin processing in mid-August, and you can also set up a payment plan if needed.

Once you're officially matriculated—a process managed by the Graduate Division starting June 2, 2025—you’ll gain full access to CalCentral.

*Please note: If you’ve been awarded funding, it will appear in your billing in early August, just a few weeks before the start of instruction.

Please also note that if you have not yet applied for FAFSA, you still have time to apply with the hard deadline being June 30, 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. You can learn more about financial aid here.

You should receive an update on federal loan options from the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office by June 1, 2025.

More details on cost of attendance, and how much you may want to budget, can be found under the UC Berkeley Financial Aid & Scholarships page.

Personal expenses* are expected indirect costs not billed to your student account. Your financial aid refund and/or work-study earnings, if you receive them, will help cover these expenses. You control these costs, so amounts will vary.

Cost of attendance figures are established through student surveys and other research and may include the components below:

  • Tuition and fees (assuming full-time attendance)
  • Books, course materials, supplies and equipment
  • Living expenses (food and housing)
  • Miscellaneous and personal expenses
  • Transportation
  • Health insurance (can be waived if enrolled in equivalent coverage)

There are also anticipated additional miscellaneous costs per semester, some of which are estimated as follows:

  • Transportation for Reporting Classes: $200 - $2,000
  • Documentary Production (for documentary students only): $2,000 - $10,000
  • Equipment Costs: Variable
  • Estimated Loan Fees: $244
  • Course Material Fees (varies by course): $40 - $200

Upon arrival, students should also plan to have a recent, quality Apple laptop, estimated at $1,500 - $3,400. You can learn more about this by attending the Tech & Equipment Webinar in April.

The Berkeley Journalism curriculum is based almost entirely on Apple and Apple products. Each student is required to bring their own MacBook laptop for classes and assignments.

The Apple laptops that we require range from around $1,800 to $3,600, with the base-level options often meeting the needs of longform narrative students, while students in more visual mediums often need to purchase the more advanced-level options.

Suggestions about the kinds of laptops recommended for purchase will be provided in the summer prior to registration. 

We strongly encourage you to delay the purchase of a new laptop until you have received our recommendations in July 2025. 

Firstly, if you received funding from Berkeley Journalism, you will be notified by no later than mid March in a separate email from that of your official offer letter from Graduate Division or departmental letter.

We will also be sending a separate email to all admitted students with more resources on graduate funding, so please keep an eye out on your email.

We also strongly encourage you to join our series of Graduate Funding webinars from March through April to have any questions answered.

UC Berkeley offers a diverse range of opportunities for current students, including on-campus ASE work study opportunities where you may be eligible for tuition & fees remission. 

I recommend checking the below resources to learn more about the range of opportunities available:

If you are a domestic student, I also recommend applying for FAFSA if you have not yet done so, to better understand all of your options.

If you are an international student, I recommend turning to the Berkeley International Office for more info on employment opportunities available to international students.

All students who applied for the federal loan program through FAFSA will be able to see their loan package offers through the University financial aid system at the end of April. Expect an email from the financial aid office letting you know when it's available to view. If you received an award or fellowship from the department or an outside organization you must subtract the total awards from your loan package in order to get a good understanding of how much loan funding you can expect.

Any expected awards and fellowships will be posted in your financial aid account account by late-July.

All domestic students that wish to be considered California Residents for tuition saving purposes will be able to fill out a Statement of Legal Residency form along with the online statement of intent to register. There are several criteria for being considered a California resident, see the residency page for more information.

 

Ask the residency office for details about residency if this describes your case. You could be considered for CA residency and not pay out-of-state fees. All residency decisions are made by the residency office.

You must be physically present in California on a continuous basis for at least 366 days immediately prior to the residence determination date (the first day of instruction).

The first date of instruction this year is August 27th, 2025. Read over all requirements set by the University Registrar's Office. It's important to keep all related documents and follow all instructions carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, you should email the student services team.

Your Student EasyPass enables free travel on all AC transit bus lines. The discount does not extend to BART.

Connect with Us

Talk with us one-on-one during our weekly Admitted Student Welcome Office Hours, held every Friday 10:00 - 11:00 am (Pacific Time)! We look forward to connecting with you!

A woman with long straight hair and glasses is smiling at the camera. She wears a light-colored top and stands indoors, against a light-colored wall, exuding warmth that's perfect for welcoming new admissions.
Nelly Provencal-Dayle

Director of Admissions

Please email journalism_admissions@berkeley.edu to arrange a time to chat online or to have your questions answered via email.
Betsy Rate headshot
Betsy Rate

Director of Career Development

Please email betsyrate@berkeley.edu to arrange a time to chat online or to have your questions answered via email.