Study Journalism in USA: A Complete Guide on Journalism Courses in USA

Best journalism schools in the US are known for offering international students with humongous career opportunities, and an academically rich education. Let us know why students are attracted to journalism courses in USA:

• In accordance with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for reporters and journalists is expected to increase by approximately 12% between 2018 and 2028.
• Journalists with master's degrees in USA earn approximately 17,000 USD more per year than those with bachelor's degrees.
• Approximately 12% of the salary is increased every 16 months.
• It is estimated that the field of media and communication occupations will grow by 4% by 2028.
• Given below are the top industries and their hourly wages for journalism graduates:
  • Employment and hourly wages in the journalism industry in the United States.
  • Many of the world's top universities are located in the United States. New York and California have the highest number of publicly funded universities in the United States.
  • Out of the 4.4 million international students globally, 1.1 million travel to the United States for education.
  • India accounts for approximately 17.3 percent of the total number of international students in the United States.

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Moving on let us make you explore some of the top journalism colleges in USA:

1. Stanford University          
2. Columbia University         
3. University of California Berkeley Campus     
4. Northwestern University 
5. University of Wisconsin- Madison        

Let us now know about each of these journalism colleges in USA for international students in detail:

Stanford University

Stanford University is a widely known private research university based in Stanford, California. In the Stanford Journalism Program, students are provided with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their potential as future authors and journalists. Students learn how to combine data journalism with storytelling skills as part of the rigorous curriculum.

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Columbia University

Located in New York City, Columbia University is an Ivy League research university. It is considered as one of the best journalism schools in the US. With its world-renowned faculty, Columbia University offers rigorous bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and dual degree journalism programs.

University of California Berkeley Campus

In Berkeley, California, the University of California, Berkeley is a leading public land-grant research university. As part of the Journalism program at UC Berkeley, students receive hands-on training that is designed to modernize their skills across a variety of media platforms. Students participating in these courses learn how to use data to prepare journalistic reports.

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Northwestern University

The faculty at Northwestern University combines rigor with enduring journalism skills and values as well as technology expertise that will enable you to thrive in today's media environment. The university's undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as high school programs, will inspire, empower and prepare you for a career in this rapidly changing field. Thus, it’s listed among the top journalism colleges in US.

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University of Wisconsin- Madison

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a reputed public land-grant research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. It is one of the oldest and best programs in the country for journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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For admission to top journalism universities in USA, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Educational qualification
• English language proficiency test scores
• Standardised test scores

Educational Qualification

It is necessary to complete at least 10+2 with physics and mathematics as compulsory subjects in order to obtain admission to journalism colleges in USA for international students. For admission to a master's degree or postgraduate diploma program, a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution with a minimum grade of B+ or 65-75% is required.

English Language Proficiency Test Scores

In order to qualify for admission, international applicants who do not speak English as their first language must submit scores on an English language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL. In order to take the IELTS test, you must meet the following requirements:

• IELTS score for diploma/ undergraduate programs: 6.5
• IELTS score for graduate/ PG diploma/ advanced diploma programs: 7.5

Standardized Test Scores

For undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees such as MS in Journalism in USA, you may be required to submit entrance test scores like the SAT/ACT and GRE. If you have already taken the test, you should keep your scores handy in case they are asked for.

• For Bachelor courses:
  • SAT: 1560
  • PTE: 70

• For Master courses:
  • GRE: 311
  • PTE: 68

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Given below are the documents required to get admitted at top universities for journalism in the US:

• Academic transcripts of standards 10 and 12 from a recognized university.
• The certificates of IELTS and TOEFL exams as proof of knowledge of English language.
• Application form
• A copy of the student’s passport.
• A statement of purpose stating his/her intention of coming to the USA.
• A letter of recommendation from the professors of the previous institution studied.
• Two essays about the candidate’s Academic and Personal Achievements.
• Proof of financial support.
• Journalistic work samples (if required)
• Health insurance

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Given below are all the required steps to apply for a journalism degree USA:

• Check the university's official website to determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements for your desired program.
• Submit your online application along with the application fee.
• Make sure you follow the procedure for uploading the supporting documents.
• To find out if your application has been approved, log into the admissions portal after you have completed your application.
• Upon acceptance, you will be sent an admission offer, which must be responded to.
• Enroll in the university and pay the tuition deposit to guarantee your seat.
• Following the receipt of a confirmation of acceptance, you may proceed with the application for a study permit.

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Tuition fees vary depending on top journalism universities in USA and the programs you’ve chosen. However, here is the average cost of pursuing journalism degree USA:

A variety of factors affect the cost of living in USA, including the type of student housing in the USA, living standards, and most importantly, the location of the city. A smaller city in the US may have a cost of living of around 800 USD (63,607 INR) per month. In contrast, a large city may have a cost of living of 1,300 USD (103,366 INR) per month.

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Here are some of the reliable scholarships available to pursue journalism courses in USA:

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Masters in journalism and mass communication in USA offer international students with a bright future in terms of ample job opportunities, and industrial exposure.

Given below are some top job profiles for students graduating from masters in journalism and mass communication in USA:

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Now that you’re familiar with the journalism colleges in USA for international students, it’s best to filter the most appropriate college to pursue further education. For more relevant information on best journalism master's programs in the US, you can get in touch with professionals at Yocket.