Visual Journalism (GrDip)
Program overview
The Graduate Diploma in Visual Journalism, starting in June and ending in April, gives you the skills required to tell impactful stories through still photography and video. The digital media landscape now makes it possible for individuals to shoot, edit, and write their own stories in a visually based multimedia practice. Our program educates students to think critically and aesthetically. Under the guidance of our faculty, many of whom are working photojournalists, you will explore various forms of visual journalism including daily news photography, documentary and studio photography. Our courses provide a foundation in the theoretical and analytical dimensions of journalism. The program offers various internships and opportunities to connect with working journalists, all with an eye to offering real opportunities in the working world of visual journalism.
Program details
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.30 scale.
- Some experience in journalism, photojournalism or a media-related field is considered an asset.
- 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.
Visual Journalism Graduate Diploma (33 credits)
| 9 | credits of Summer Term courses: |
| 12 | credits of Fall Term courses: |
| 6 | credits of Winter Term courses: |
| 6 | credits chosen from the following 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:
- News and Feature Photography
- Documentary and Photographic Series
- Documentary Video and Radio
- Critical Approaches to Journalism
- Journalism Ethics and the Law
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 or visual 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, including the Sportsnet Diploma Scholarship in Journalism, valued at $4,000, and the Visual Journalism Award.
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:
- Visual storytelling
- Photojournalism
- 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 in 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.
Our alumni find great success as photojournalists, videographers, documentary filmmakers, producers, television hosts, and editors in news and media outlets around the world.
Recent graduates can be found working at:
- Al Jazeera
- BuzzFeed
- CBC/Radio-Canada
- CNN
- CTV News
- Montreal Gazette
- Vice
