MA Journalism

Program Overview

The MA Journalism program at TU Dublin combines theoretical and practical training to produce multi-skilled professionals in journalism. With a focus on ethical and critical reporting, students develop a deep understanding of journalism's societal role and hone skills in writing, editing, audio, and video across various platforms. They gain real-world experience through industry placements and contribute to the field through their final research dissertations.

Program Outline

As the practice and theory of journalism changes, the course changes with it, but without losing sight of the basic principles of reporting, producing and editing across platforms including video journalism, radio, podcasting, and online news. The course includes tuition, skills training, practical experience, a wide range of assignments, seminars, tutorials, group projects, independent study and research. (Students also undertake a placement in industry). Good journalism, produced by reflective, critical practitioners, is crucial to the development and maintenance of democracy. The course seeks to produce journalists who are multi-skilled and critically aware, and have a good understanding of the role of journalism in society. Graduates from the course now work in media organisations in Ireland and abroad, as well as in social-media companies and in other employments where good communicators are valued.

Outline:

The course is divided into three strands: Professional Formation, Journalism Studies and Dissertation. Professional Formation offers grounding in the basic and professional skills and practice of journalism across multiple platforms, including writing editing, audio and video. Students undertake a placement as part of their professional formation. Journalism Studies provides a critical framework for journalism in its social and historical context. Students are also required to complete a dissertation on a topic related to journalism. Tuition takes place in the two semesters between late September and early June. Students work on their dissertation for the third semester and this is submitted in early September.

Careers:

Graduates are competent to take up employment as journalists and content creators across a wide spectrum of media, including broadcast or on-line news organisations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, digital and technology companies and in-house news and communications positions in NGOs and charities. They are equipped to work as (among other things) reporters, presenters, sub-editors, feature writers, producers, researchers, online-content providers and communications specialists.

Other:

Students have a dedicated laboratory (virtual newsroom) with computers, printer, scanner and phone. Software includes Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Pro-tools, and an image-editing programme. Students also have access to radio and TV studios as well as video cameras and portable recording equipment.

• EU Fees: €7,600
• Non-EU Fees: €13,500