Columbia University in the City of New York Reviews of Master's in Journalism

"Columbia's J-School often gets slack from practitioners in the field and students alike. A number of active journalists and editors believe in an empirical approach to journalism and deride the formal, theoretical or skills-based training offered at the school. The reasoning goes that journalism is a trade and therefore must be learned with a hands-on approach, the shoe-leather route. That isn't untrue. Certainly, hands-on training is necessary (going out and reporting, interviewing people, digging into archives, and getting the door slammed in your face). But a conversation about whether it's the only way or the best way or the first step one should take obscures the benefits of a great place like the J-school. An approach and a learning environment that unites theory with practice will give new journalists the best of both worlds. There are so many digital skills, too many technologies that help bridge the gap between reporting and the mass amount of information humans produce on a daily basis. Without the dedicated time to formally train, be it in a classroom or at home if you are a self-teacher, you won't be as competitive in the field. It's a simple truth. The J-school is a confluence of empiricism and theory. A place where you are pushed in the classroom and out of the classroom. In my opinion, it's an excellent school for fledgling journalists."

"Currently enrolled as a student as part of Columbia University's School of Journalism graduate program. With a diverse student body, diverse professors, and a long history of excellence, the program is both shaping and affirming. I highly recommend looking into the value of this program and all that it has to offer a promising student looking for an education that provides depth and access to some of the top institutions and employers in the world."

"While I have yet to attend Columbia University in the City of New York, I am already impressed with the administration's attention towards prospective and incoming students. As I went to a large public undergrad school, I’ve experienced an educational institution with a lot of bureaucracy and a lack of communication amongst student service departments. From the day I attended an Open House session for the school to now, a mere month away from my first day at Columbia, I’ve received nothing but detailed attention and instruction from the deans. I can’t wait to start my journey at Columbia!"

"Reputable program with great access to alumni, faculty, leaders in the field (weekly seminars are a highlight/must to attend, and there are documentary screenings that are amazing as well). Career services is top-notch. Have also been generous with financial aid. Cons: expensive city to live in, and course is a little too short (less than a year, maybe 9-10 months)."

"Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism offers an incomparable journalism education, producing some of the best journalists in the world. They are constantly working to be on the cutting edge of technology, tracking upcoming trends in how the news will be disseminated by the media to the world. Some of the policies in place are suited a bit toward "old media" (newspapers, etc.) rather than current methods of transmitting news, and the broadcast area of tools/technology is limited at times. Regardless, Columbia Journalism School still remains the top graduate school for journalism, hands down."

"The best part of my program, the M.S. Journalism program at Columbia University, is pushing you into the field to practice, learn, gain experience, and improve yourself to be a better journalist. The program does not only stay in the textbook, or case studies, or lectures, but instead it forced you to do your reporting in the New York City, like a mother eagle that pushes her babies off a tree and forces them to fly. Every class is like a newsroom -- you have the great, experienced, and probably Pulitzer-winner professors as your editors/producers, and more importantly, your instructors and mentors. When you get confused or you want to seek help from them, they are always there providing professional suggestions, guiding you to the better path."

"Columbia Journalism School is an amazing place for any writer who wants to truly become immersed in a piece. The only downside is the cost of the education, which in New York City, can be extremely challenging."

"The CJS Program is highly competitive and includes a very diverse student body recruited globally. The Investigative journalism module allows students to independently undertake a year-long investigation of their own. It is very challenging but also very rewarding."

"Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism offers an academic environment that is unlike any other. The skill set and network that you develop are invaluable! The location, accessibility and student diversity is perfect. You are literally nestled in the heart of New York, so there is a story waiting to happen. This is truly the school and place for a journalist to grow and develop their passion to the next level. The only expense that you may have to work on and be a little creative with is the cost of living in New York, but it can be done. Research and pooling together a network of individuals willing to share space can help defray the cost of living."

"The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is very tough. As a full time student there is a tremendous amount of work both in the classroom and out. The program wants to shape its students into the best multifaceted, multimedia journalists. We are taught how to write, report, investigate, edit, film, interview, produce, and do just about anything else involved with journalism. It is a demanding and time consuming program, but in the end truly worth it. To be able to cover stories live on scene in one of the busiest, most vibrant cities in the world is truly a magnificent learning opportunity. And the professors are best of the best! They truly get to know their students and are passionate about helping us find the right job in our fields of study. But being an Ivy League and with it's location in the middle of Manhattan, it is very costly. My dream has always been Columbia journalism and to have made this far, but have to worry about the impeding financial situation is stressful."

"I am now a graduate student of the computer science dual journalism program in Columbia University. They provide all kinds of course including writing and interviewing, also courses from CS department. We also get the chance to have an one on one chat with the professor about our curriculum. Being able to get into with all experienced journalist around the world in this program, also learning most advanced journalism techniques here, I felt really lucky!"

"Great Faculty. But classes aren't necessarily as high quality as you would expect (depend on professor, obviously)."

"The journalism program at Columbia is extremely rigorous, and it offers its students the chance to really hone their journalism skills. The fact that the program is only one year, puts of pressure to learn a lot of information in a short space of time, but it is still enjoyable. I think the main con of the university is cost of attendance and living in New York, that is something that has kept many African students from being able to attend the university. And, even though I am an African student who made it to New York, it has caused extreme financial burden for me and my family. Overall, I would not trade the experience because I know that once I graduate, I will be able to make a difference with my education, back home in Africa."

"Pros: Excellent faculty and resources. Cons: Expensive and high tuition"

"Pros: You gain a great value of education in journalism. Cons: It is very, very expensive."

"It's a one year intensive program, and as a result, the pace is quick and the workload is heavy. There's a great variety in terms of coursework, and being able to develop your own curriculum (without the pressures of concentration) is a big plus. There's no beating Columbia's network, and that's a big draw for why people choose this school. This comes with a hefty price tag and the financial aid office is remarkably understaffed given the size of the student body."

"Columbia's journalism school is incredibly rigorous. The program is among the most well-respected in the field, and the alumni network is incredible. Instructors are some of the best journalists in the world and the career services office is useful and efficient. Plus, you're in New York City! The center of the world. The only downside? Everything is very expensive: tuition, cost of living, etc. But to me, it's worth it."

"The pros are that the program is highly diversified, in that we have students from all over the world, and each of us brings our knowledge to the table. Another pro is the high level of involvement and concern of the professors and the staff here-they are superb. I guess the con would be the intense amount of work-compressed into 9 months; it feels like the program would be so much better if it was at least 2 years long, because we do so much in only 9 months"

"The short timeframe of the masters program in journalism (ten months) lends itself to a very rigorous and intensive curriculum. Columbia University has top-notch faculty whose mentorship and support are invaluable, an ever-expanding network full of successful journalists and a location in the media mecca of the U.S., making it an ideal place for an aspiring journalist to get his or her career started. Two months into the program, I already feel like I've grown both personally and professionally. I've learned about effective writing, business trends of the media industry and the basics of audio and photo editing. The journalism program really stresses producing not only quality reporters, but also media leaders who will move the industry forward. While the program has its strengths, it also has its weaknesses, especially as it pertains to communication, or lack thereof, between administration and students. It hasn't facilitated ways for students to get to know each other beyond meeting in class. I also think it can replace the multitude of speaking events it holds with more hands-on workshops for students who want to gain technical skills in a variety of mediums."

"Very comprehensive and rigorous journalism program with a tight focus on preparing students for professional work."