ADMISSION

The Department of Journalism considers applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in any field. A journalism background is not required. Along with the completed application, the applicant must provide one official transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution attended, three letters of recommendation, and three writing samples. These samples should be indicative of the applicant’s best overall work and need not have been published. A statement of purpose, which should adhere to the guidelines listed in the journalism application form, is also required.

Students who enroll in the graduate journalism program score, on average, above 600 on the verbal test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) and at 5.0 on the GRE analytical writing test, and have an undergraduate grade point average of above 3.0. No specific GRE subject test is necessary. International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless English is their native language or they have completed their undergraduate education at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the Internet-based test is required, or a score of 250 on the computer-based test or 600 on the paper-based test is required. For the computer- and paper-based tests, a minimum score of 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE) is required. (For the cultural reporting and criticism concentration, a score of 6.0 is required.) International applicants MUST have a fluent command of written English.

The GREs and TOEFL are given periodically throughout the year. Specific test dates can be obtained by calling the Educational Testing Service, 609-921-9000, or by visiting their Web site at www.ets.org.

Applications are accepted for fall admission only. Please adhere to the deadline dates published in the GSAS Application Appendix. Applications submitted after the due date are considered on a rolling admission basis if seats remain, but many programs fill rapidly.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students take 36 to 44 points for the Master of Arts degree, depending on the program in which they are enrolled (see Master of Arts section above). Depending on the concentration, up to 8 points of electives may be taken. Possible electives include any courses in the department (if prerequisites are met) or any graduate-level course in another department or school at NYU if approved by that department or school and by the Department of Journalism. Internships and Directed Reading are considered electives. Internships cannot be taken for credit until at least 20 points have been completed. Up to 12 points for a 36-point program may be transferred from another institution (if approved by the dean’s office). All applications for transfer credits must be made within the first year of matriculation. Students should see the graduate administrative aide for a transfer application. The department believes the program is best completed through three semesters of full-time study, although part-time students are accepted. It is not always possible, however, to offer part-time students a complete selection of courses each semester. Some, but not all, courses are available at night.

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout their graduate career. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 are placed on academic probation. Students on probation may be asked to leave the program if they receive additional grades below B or if they do not raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 the following semester. The University will not award the Master of Arts degree to students who complete their studies with a GPA below 3.0.

DEPARTMENTAL FELLOWSHIPS, PRIZES, AND AWARDS

A comprehensive list of University, Graduate School, and departmental fellowships, prizes, and awards appears in the Financing Graduate Education section of the GSAS Application for Admission and Financial Aid. This information is also available on the GSAS Web site at http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.financialaid or the Department of Journalism Web site at http://journalism.nyu.edu/prospectivestudents/grad_financial_aid.html.

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