Graduate Programs

The department offers a one-year Graduate Diploma Program and a two-year MA in Journalism Studies.

For general inquires on our graduate programs please contact Blossom Thom at diploma.journalism@concordia.ca (Diploma program) or masters.journalism@concordia.ca (MA program), or

by telephone at 514-848-2424, ext. 5283.

Graduate Diploma in Journalism

This program provides a thorough and intensive professional formation for those students who already have at least an undergraduate degree in another field of study. This program begins in June each year and finishes in April.

The courses are concentrated along two axes. The emphasis in the production workshops – radio and television broadcasting, print and on-line media – is on practical skills, with newsroom and production standards applied to all assignments and activities. As much as possible, students work in "live" news situations, covering the same kinds of news events as professional working journalists.

Complementing these workshops are the seminars and lecture-based courses which concentrate on the theoretical and analytical dimensions of journalism education, with a particular focus on the social, economic, political and ideological contexts in which journalism is practiced.

This blend of theory and practice enables our students to set the foundation for a career in news and current affairs production, develop skills of critical reflection and grow to understand the complexities and increasing diversity of the society their journalism is intended to serve.

Course work in this program is complemented by internship opportunities, which allow students to gain valuable newsroom experience.

If you would like further information about this program, feel free to contact Prof. Peter Downie, Diploma Program Director, Department of Journalism, at downiep@gmail.com

MA in Journalism Studies

This two-year program is intended for students and mid-career journalists who seek a thorough introduction to the theory, the literature and the research methodologies pertaining to the critical-analytical study of journalism as an institution and a practice.  It is not intended for students seeking training to become a journalist.

Students in this program will undertake course work in journalism history, political economy and research methods, with a number of elective choices (e.g., journalism ethics, mediating diversity, international journalism, textual approaches to journalism).  Students' program of study will culminate in a thesis based on original research under the supervision of a qualified faculty member.

If you would like further information about this program, feel free to contact Dr. Jim McLean, MA Program Director, Department of Journalism, at james.mclean@concordia.ca