Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies (MA)
Program overview
The Digital Innovation in Journalism MA is grounded in both the traditional and contemporary frameworks of journalism studies. It pushes the next generation of researchers—truth seekers, storytellers and catalysts for change—to explore the rapidly evolving digital media landscape. This one-of-a kind master's program looks into the future of the profession with a unique focus on innovation and new approaches to journalism. Through seminars and lab sessions, you’ll develop critical thinking skills to enhance your understanding of how digital storytelling is redefining traditional mediums such as print, television and radio. Over a two-year period, you’ll gain practical training and a strong research foundation, culminating in a graduate thesis or final essay.
Program details
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.30 scale.
- 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 45 credits.
Please see the Journalism Courses page for course descriptions.
Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA (45 credits)
| 9 | credits of Required Courses: |
| 6 | credits of Elective Courses chosen from: With the permission of the department, up to six elective credits may be taken in 600-level courses offered by other departments. |
| 30 | credits chosen from: Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option A Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option B Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option C |
Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option A
| 6 | credits: |
| 24 | credits: |
Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option B
| 6 | credits: |
| 24 | credits: |
Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies MA Option C
| 18 | credits: |
| 12 | additional course credits in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director |
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form (2 must be from academic sources)
- A statement of purpose (five double-spaced pages) providing:
- a brief overview of your university studies and what courses, professors, or scholarly work and theorists were the most influential and/or most challenging;
- a brief description of the type of research you would like to undertake;
- the name of a potential supervisor from our full-time faculty whose research area complements your own, and with whom you have communicated, and who agreed to work with you;
- a list of courses in our program which are of particular interest to you.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including a summary of any work experience (paid or voluntary) that is relevant to your application
- Sample(s) of journalism (any format), research or research-creation (10 pages maximum) (Optional)
- 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.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Digital Innovation in Journalism Studies | MA | Feb. 1 | Oct. 1 | Feb. 1 |
Examples of courses offered include:
- Introduction to multimedia
- Critical approaches to Journalistic thought
- Digital innovation in Journalism
- Mediating diversity through audio story-telling
- Journalism ethics and the law
- International journalism
Several awards and recruitment bursaries are available for new and current students, including Edward and Maria Roach Grad. Scholar in Journalism Studies, Reader's Digest Foundation of Canada Scholarship, the Sportsnet MA Scholarship in Journalism.
Research assistant positions also exist for funded research but cannot be guaranteed. Students are also employed as teaching assistants for undergraduate courses. In addition, individual faculty members determine if work opportunities are available based on their own research budgets.
Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowships
The Faculty of Arts and Science supports graduate students by awarding one-year Masters fellowships ($7,000). Other awards available through the faculty include Concordia Merit Scholarship and Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards.
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students. We also encourage students seeking admission to our program to apply for funding from external sources in the final year of their undergraduate studies (e.g. FRQSC, SSHRC).
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
See examples of faculty research projects.
Our graduates move onto PhD training (academic path), teaching positions, advanced journalistic projects (e.g., long-form or investigative), or work at research-intensive communication companies and NGOs.
