Area of Study (*Required)

In your Master of Journalism application, you will be asked: “Which track would you like to study?” Please select both a First Choice and a Backup Option from the following list:

• Audio Reporting
• Documentary
• Multimedia-Web Video
• Narrative Writing
• Photojournalism

Please note: your chosen area of study/track dictates your first-semester introductory course and serves as the platform for your second-year Master’s Project (a major piece of original reporting completed under faculty supervision).

Throughout your two years, you can explore other media platforms through electives to further customize your skillset and professional goals.

However, if you wish to be considered for the Documentary track, then you must select it as your First Choice. Due to capacity limits, Documentary cannot be selected as a Backup Option. Additionally, Documentary elective courses are reserved exclusively for students admitted directly into this track.

Topical Areas

Additionally, outside of the sequence of courses needed for your select track, you can take an array of courses exploring various other topical areas to further tailor your studies at Berkeley Journalism:

• Business Reporting
• Climate Reporting
• Data Reporting
• Health & Science Reporting
• International Reporting
• Investigative Reporting
• Reporting on Incarceration

And more!

Please note: You do not need to outrightly apply for such topical areas, but please feel free to indicate in the application if you have any interest and/or experience in these areas.

Statements: 2 (*Required)

Word Limit: Maximum 500 words each

For Berkeley Journalism, we require two statements of up to 500 words each. Furthermore, we recommend addressing the following in your statements.

1. Statement of Purpose (maximum of 500 words)

Please describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in journalism, including your journalistic preparation, what specific skills you hope to learn through the Berkeley Journalism curriculum, and your future career goals in the field of journalism and how it aligns with the program. Please also include specific reasons you would like to attend Berkeley Journalism at this point in your career.

For Documentary Track Applicants ONLY:

If you are applying to the Documentary track, please include the required additional essay of up to 300 words in the same document as your Statement of Purpose, clearly labeled: "Additional Essay for the Documentary Program."

For more details on these additional requirements, see the Documentary Program Applicants tab on this page. 

2. Personal History Statement (maximum of 500 words)

Please describe how your background and life experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree in journalism at this time. This may include formative experiences, values, or motivations that have influenced your academic and/or professional path in journalism.

In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following:

• Any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities that have shaped your academic journey
• Challenges or responsibilities you have navigated in pursuit of your educational goals, and how you responded to or overcame them
• Significant barriers or hardships you have faced, and how they have contributed to your growth and shaped your perspective
• Leadership experiences, community outreach, service initiatives, or research projects you have participated in or plan to pursue that aim to positively impact others or the broader community
• Ways in which your perspectives, experiences, or aspirations have aligned with UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community

The Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.

For writing tips on your statements, please check the Graduate Admissions Writing Your Statements page.

Optional Supplemental Essay (*Optional)

Word Limit: Maximum 300 words

For Berkeley Journalism, this essay of maximum 300 words is optional, and is for anyone who wishes to expand on hardships or unusual life circumstances that may have impacted their opportunities, achievements, and impact.

It can be helpful to use this space to provide context for things such as a low GPA, a lack of related work experience, or any other part of the application that you feel might need some additional context.

Departmental Need-Based Funding (*Optional)

Word Limit: Maximum 300 words

All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based departmental funding. However, to be considered for need-based departmental funding, you must complete the "Departmental Grant Application" section of the application and submit this optional essay.

The purpose of the Departmental Need-Based Funding essay is to help determine your relative financial need compared to other applicants. Special consideration is given to applicants whose backgrounds and life experiences enhance educational diversity. This includes, but is not limited to, applicants who:

• Have had limited access to educational resources.
• Represent geographic diversity.
• Have persevered over economic disadvantage.
• Have shown exceptional fortitude by working significant hours to support themselves during their education.
• Bring a unique perspective that is not widely represented within the program.

How to Apply

1. Complete the FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student AID (domestic applicants only).
2. Fill Out All Sections: Complete every section of the Departmental Grant Application, including the Agreement, the Need-Based Funding Essay, and all financial questions.
3. Be Precise with Numbers: Declare all amounts over $10.00 USD. If you have no funds in a specific category, you must enter $0.00 (zero).

Important: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be prepared to provide documentation to verify the numbers you submit, if requested.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 (*Required)

For Berkeley Journalism, please note that we only require two letters of recommendation. Ideally, these letters should come from academic or professional supervisors that know you well.

Important: Your recommender will receive an email indicating that their letter of recommendation is due by our final, Round 2 deadline regardless of your actual intended Round deadline, given the system automatically populates the program’s final admissions deadline. We, therefore, recommend that you communicate your intended deadline (Round 1 - December 1 or Round 2 - January 14) to your recommenders to avoid having an incomplete application for consideration.

Work Samples: 2-3 (*Required)

For Berkeley Journalism, we require a minimum of two and a maximum of three work samples in total. 

Please upload work samples that are audio or video files, including your Personal Statement Video, under the "Audio/Visual Uploads" section of the application.

It’s strongly encouraged that as many of these samples be journalistic, preferably published work, but alternative forms will be considered.

One sample must be written (non-fiction), such as published or unpublished reporting, academic papers, or another kind of non-fiction writing. While academic papers are accepted, journalistic writing is preferred.

All writing samples should be no more than five pages in length. If the sample is longer than five pages, please submit the full paper and highlight the up to five pages the admissions committee should review that best demonstrates your journalistic skill set. 

In addition to your non-fiction writing sample, we require one, but up to two additional samples in any medium. This can include audio pieces, photo essays, multimedia pieces, online projects like data-driven stories, in-depth interactive graphics or interactive documentaries; or other abstract new media forms, such as VR, apps, or similar projects.

The school has a strong preference for journalistic work, but it is not mandatory. Ideally, work samples will highlight a student’s ability as a writer and/or storyteller. Work samples can be published or unpublished.

All work samples must be in English or include captions or transcripts that are in English. Please ensure that any English translations are also grammatically accurate. You may also provide a link to the original article, but please make sure your submission is either in English or includes an English translation for the admissions committee.

Transcripts (*Required)

Berkeley Journalism requires all applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. You must submit transcripts for all completed college-level coursework.

What To Submit:

• All Coursework: Upload separate transcripts for community college courses and study abroad programs, ensuring that grades for all courses are clearly visible.
• Degree Verification: If you have already earned a bachelor's and/or other master's degree, please upload your diploma or degree certificate along with your transcripts.

Transcript Format & Guidelines

Please aim to submit copies of your official transcripts. To be considered complete, your uploads must meet the following criteria:

• Format: Must be uploaded as legible PDFs.
• Required Information: Must clearly show the institution’s name, your full name, and your degree conferral date (or the date it is expected in the future).
• Translations (if needed): English translations of transcripts are required for all languages except Spanish. Academic records should be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations (usually prepared by your university or Ministry of Education, unless the institution issues original documents in English). If your home institution does not issue documents in English, you may submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association.

In general, records or transcripts must be issued by the school and include the school’s stamp or embossed seal and the signature of the authorizing official. For more detailed information on acceptable documents, please review the Graduate Admissions website.

Note on Official Transcripts: While copies are acceptable for the application process, if you are offered admission, you will be required to have official transcripts sent directly from your institution(s) to UC Berkeley.

Instructions for Calculating your GPA

Note: UC Berkeley Journalism does not require a "Major Field GPA" or "Intended Field of Study GPA." We only require the Advanced GPA for applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree within the United States.

1. Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree Completed INSIDE the U.S. (Applies to both domestic and international applicants)

If your bachelor's degree was earned in the U.S., you must calculate your Advanced GPA and upload a completed GPA Calculation Worksheet to your application.

• File Format: Please upload your completed Excel spreadsheet listing your courses, letter grades, and units so our admissions team can verify your math.
• How to Calculate Your Advanced GPA:
  • Timeframe: Count all courses taken after your first two years of undergraduate study. 
  • What to Exclude: Do not include Physical Education (PE) courses, ungraded courses (e.g., Pass/No Pass, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory), or non-transferable courses.
  • Tools: You can use our built-in worksheet tools or any standard GPA calculator to help determine your grade-point conversions.

2. Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree Completed OUTSIDE the U.S.

If you earned your bachelor’s degree outside of the United States, you do NOT need to calculate an Advanced GPA or submit a GPA Calculation Worksheet, with one exception:

• Exception: If your official transcript does NOT list a cumulative GPA, you must use the GPA Calculation Worksheet to compute and submit your cumulative undergraduate GPA.

Summary Checklist Before You Submit

Resume (*Required)

Page Limit: One page

For Berkeley Journalism, we require an upload of your current resume as a PDF (ideally one page maximum).

This is a great opportunity to highlight your accomplishments, awards, and any journalism-relevant experience you may have.

Personal Video Statement (*Required)

Time Limit: 1-4 minutes

For Berkeley Journalism, we’d love to hear directly from you—your voice, your story, and your passion for journalism. Since this may serve in place of an interview, we encourage you to use this part of the application to showcase your personality, and your genuine, authentic self.

In a video of at least one minute in length and up to a maximum of 4 minutes in length, please respond to the following prompt:

Why do you want to be a journalist?
In your video, tell us about your professional background, your areas of interest, and why you're drawn to Berkeley Journalism. What do you hope to gain from the program, and what impact do you hope to make in the field after graduation?

You're welcome to record your video in any style or format that feels natural to you so long as we are able to see you.

Please upload your video file in the "Audio/Visual Uploads" section of the application, and label it as:
[Your Full Name] – Personal Video

For Berkeley Journalism,

• We do not require the GRE in order to keep the application process accessible, recognizing that everyone’s circumstances are different.
• For international student applicants who have completed their bachelor's degree equivalent in a country where the official language is NOT English, you should prepare to submit TOEFL or IETLS. Testing must be taken after June 1, 2025 to be valid for Fall 2027 graduate admission. 

However, please note that we review all completed applications, even if submitted scores fall below these recommended benchmarks.

For more details, please check the Application Requirements on the Graduate Admissions website.

Interview (*May be required)

For Berkeley Journalism, a small number of applicants may be invited to a virtual interview, though this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that being offered—or not offered—an interview is not an indication of your admission status.

Our admissions office cannot share updates on individual application status. Final decisions will be emailed in early March.

Application Fee

The application fee is:

• $135 for domestic applicants and
• $155 for international applicants

Requesting an Application Fee Waiver

We understand that application fees can be a barrier, and aim to support applicants for whom this cost presents a hardship. There are two possible ways to request a fee waiver:

1. UC Berkeley Graduate Division Fee Waiver (Recommended):

If you are an undocumented or a domestic applicant (U.S. citizen or permanent resident), please begin by reviewing your eligibility for a fee waiver through the Graduate Division Fee Waiver Eligibility page. Graduate Division offers unlimited fee waivers for those who qualify, making this the best first step. (*Please note: This option is  not available to international applicants.)

2. Berkeley Journalism Departmental Fee Waiver:

If you do not meet the Graduate Division criteria but have financial need, you are welcome to put in a formal request with our Berkeley Journalism admissions office for departmental review at admissions@journalism.berkeley.edu.