Journalism (GrDip)
Program overview
The Graduate Diploma in journalism gives you hands-on experience in print, radio, television and online reporting. Offered over an 11-month period from June to April, our streamlined program familiarizes you with today's ever changing digital media landscape. Now more than ever, we need motivated truth-seekers to dedicate themselves to the highest editorial standards of the profession. Our award-winning faculty members will challenge you to become a professional journalist as you explore the theoretical, analytical and practical dimensions of the field. Our internship offerings will connect you to Montreal’s strong media environment, permitting you to network with working journalists and report on stories related to politics, culture, science, sports, the arts and more.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a field other than journalism from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please
refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits.
Please see the Journalism Courses page for course descriptions.
Journalism Graduate Diploma (33 credits)
| 9 | credits of Summer Term, Required Courses: |
| 12 | credits of Fall Term, Required Courses: |
| 6 | credits of Winter Term, Required Courses: |
| 6 | credits of Winter Term, Elective Courses: |
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form (2 must be from academic sources)
- Statement of purpose (approximately 600 words), outlining your background, work experience, and desire to be a journalist
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Courses typically offered include:
- Documentary Video and Radio
- The Digital Magazine
- Critical Approaches to Journalism
- Research Methods for Journalism
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses. All courses and assignments are conducted in English.
Teaching assistantships are available and awarded to students exhibiting strong writing skills. These positions are awarded on a competitive basis and valued at $18 per hour.
A number of departmental awards are also available for graduate students, ranging from $500 to $5,000. They include:
- Susan Carson Memorial Bursary
- Philip Fisher Bursary
- Enn Raudsepp Entrance Scholarship
- James A. Stewart Memorial Scholarship
- Gordon Fisher Prize
- The Sportsnet Diploma Scholarship in Journalism
- Bell Media Scholarship in Journalism
Please also consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
State-of-the-art facilities provide you a vibrant digital news environment with access to radio newsrooms, a television studio and editing labs.
Students work with the latest digital equipment and software. The Equipment Depot houses professional grade equipment where you can reserve production equipment, such as Canon XA25 TV camera kits, kits for Canon 5D camera kits for photography and GoPro cameras, as well as Jn Roland 09 recorders for audio and written assignments.
The Learning Center also has numerous resources available, including:
- a dubbing room for the duplication of multiple media formats
- a complete selection of CD sound effects
- 8 OS X Apple computers with Internet access
- an extensive video archive
Faculty members are former or currently working journalists. They bring practical experience into the classrooms and are dedicated to producing professional journalists trained to ask important and critical questions about our world.
Their research and creation interests include:
- Documentary
- Long form narrative and literary journalism
- Investigative and data journalism
- Audio podcasting
- Digital storytelling
- Journalism law and ethics
- Political economy of media
- Issues of race, gender and ethnicity
- Science journalism
- New models of journalism
Opportunities for paid and unpaid internships are usually available on a competitive basis. Our internship coordinator facilitates opportunities for interested students whenever possible and organizes summer and fall internships. Former students have interned at a plethora of sites, including:
- Montreal Gazette
- CBC/Radio-Canada
- CTV
- CJAD
- Sportsnet
- Eastern Door
- The Suburban
Many students have also won the prestigious CBC News Joan Donaldson Scholarship, an intensive four-month paid internship at one or more locations within CBC News and Centres.
Our graduates are nationally recognized journalists striving to fight injustice in world awash with misinformation. They are known for their intelligence and rigour.
Alumni find great success as reporters, press secretaries, editors, general managers, documentary filmmakers, creative directors, producers, broadcasters, communications officers, and digital content directors in news and media outlets around the world.
Recent graduates can be found working at:
- Al Jazeera
- BBC
- Business News Network
- BuzzFeed
- Canadian Press
- CBC/Radio-Canada
- CNN
- CTV National News
- Montreal Gazette
- Vice
Former students also hold prominent positions in government, health care, and research and development.
