Studying Journalism in the USA

Studying media in the US is the right choice for young professionals dreaming of a dizzying career! The modern world is governed by information. It is not surprising that it is the work with the latest technologies too!

The media is the fourth power. And in America, they know best by which laws it exists and develops. In the US there are over 450 programs, departments, and faculties of journalism. You can choose the best by specialization: newspaper, television, scientific, military journalism. The first thing that is important to pay attention when choosing a university is the availability of ACEJMC (Accredited education in journalism and mass communications). This is an indicator that a university or school will provide you with a qualified education according to the approved program.

Despite the fact that an ordinary journalist earns by American standards is not so much - an average of $ 50,000 per year - education is expensive. Prepare to shell out from $ 13,000 to $ 36,000 per year. These amounts do not include accommodation, meals, and transportation. However, you can study for free - for this, you need to get a scholarship or a grant.

What should you expect? Difficulties. Journalism programs are not easy. In order to be able to assess the scale of the disaster, in some universities, even before the official start of the classes, they arrange something like the "young fighter" course. Beginners work in a non-stop mode: they go to tasks, write articles and do it all in the established format. Yes, it is difficult, but necessary for immediate involving in the process. Next, you will need to go through a certain number of items and pass a certain number of works and exams. Planning will help here: you can teach three or four disciplines per semester.

This may seem easy, but in fact, three disciplines in journalism at the University of the United States - this is very serious. Prepare to spend all time in libraries and write a lot of works. But, as they say, it's hard to study - it's easy to fight. So, if you want, you can overcome all the difficulties and become, in fact, a brilliant journalist. Already, be assured, you will not remain without work in the post-Soviet space. And the funds invested in education will return fairly quickly. Now let’s look at the most popular universities to study journalism.

Columbia University

This is one of the most authoritative American universities. Faculty of Journalism at Columbia University (Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism) teaches specialists in almost all the areas. Currently, it is considered the main center for the training of reporters and editors in the United States. Most of the owners of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize studied here.

The most important problem is the cost. Prepare to pay $ 57,000 a year. A significant plus - this amount includes medical care in the student medical center. However, for accommodation and meals have to pay separately. If you include everything, then the year will cost about $ 85,000. For working journalists, Columbia University established Spencer's scholarship - $ 75,000. A good opportunity to cover basic expenses.

The City University of New York

State University and one of the largest public universities in the United States. The City University of New York (CUNY) consists of twenty-four colleges and institutes. Twelve Nobel laureates, members of the US Congress, members of the US Supreme Court, famous actors, scientists came out of the walls of CUNY.

Among the top executives of American companies, there are more graduates of this university than any other. It also attracts the fact that the tuition fee for foreign students is an average of $ 13,000 per year. Compared with other universities in America - quite democratic.

In CUNY you can also study for free, having received a scholarship. To do this, you need to apply to the Macaulay Honors College and at the same time to one of the CUNY colleges where the journalist faculties are located: Queens College of The City University of New York, Lehman College of The City University of New York, Hunter College of The City University of New York, Baruch College of The City University of New York.

Macaulay Honors College is the flagship of the City University of New York in the field of humanities education. The program is designed for students who do not have a bachelor's degree.

In addition, among the educational institutions, CUNY highlight The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism - a fairly young school, which was opened in 2006. Suitable for those who are going to study journalism, starting from the beginner level.

The University of California, Berkeley

One of the ten campuses (affiliates) of the University of California. Its educational programs are among the best in the US. In 2013, in the ranking of Times, the University of California at Berkeley won the fifth place among the universities in the world.

The tuition fee is $ 15,000 per year. But you can choose any course (and the cost will not change): business journalist, scientific journalism, news, glossy magazines, photojournalism, radio, television, etc.

For those who actively work as a journalist, the University of California at Berkeley offers scholarships. Each year, two people get the opportunity to conduct research work at the faculty during one course. To participate in the program you need to submit a portfolio. The downside is that graduates of the University of California at Berkeley who have a master's degree can apply for this scholarship.

Murray State University

It offers 119 programs (magistracy, bachelor's degree), existing at the junction of journalism and media in a broad sense. The cost of training is $ 14,000 per year (which is quite inexpensive for journalism by American standards). The university offers scholarship programs for foreign students.

The program has both: full-time and online courses. The main difference between MSU is a homely, almost family atmosphere. Each student here is given special attention and the feeling is as if they are studying according to an individual program. In addition, in university rankings, MSU always takes high positions.

University of North Dakota

It offers 40 programs (master's, doctoral), existing at the junction of journalism and media in a broad sense. Bachelors here are not engaged, so the university is ideal for those who want to receive the postgraduate education. The university also has full-time programs and online courses. The cost of training is $ 25,000 per year. There are scholarships for foreign students.

The Ohio State University 

Offers 32 programs (Bachelor's). This university can be used as a launching pad for further admission to the magistracy of other universities. The cost of training is $ 27,000 per year. There are scholarship programs. One of the main advantages is the location. The University is in Columbus. This is the capital of Ohio, so there will be plenty of opportunities for practice. Due to the fact that work with foreign students is one of the priorities of the university, OSU offers preparatory programs that later help pass the entrance exams.

Thus, by simple calculations, we find out that the year of study at Columbia University is the same as two or two and a half years in most other US universities. That is, of course, it's nice to have a diploma from the most prestigious university in America. But, nevertheless, do not focus only on prestige. All higher schools that have passed accreditation are responsible for the quality of education.