M.A. in Journalism

Course details

The Masters in Journalism provides wide-ranging training and education for those interested in the profession of journalism and related fields. It balances practical, theoretical, technical and analytical elements to address the changing media environment and the new, and increasingly diverse, demands being made on entrants to journalism. Upon completion you will have the in-depth knowledge and aptitude to pursue a successful journalism career.

Aims and Objectives:

• To train people to be critical journalists across evolving media platforms.
• To equip you with the skills necessary to sustain serious journalism that engages successfully with a broad range of readers and audiences, in print, online and across the airwaves.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship 2014-2015.

Deadline for applications: Noon, Friday, 29 May 2015

Independent News & Media and DCU's School of Communications have announced the 2015 Veronica Guerin Memorial Bursary at Dublin City University. The bursary is awarded in memory of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin, who was murdered on 26 June 1996, and who served as a member of the governing body of NIHE/DCU from 1982 to 1992.

The bursary is for a sum of €8,500 and is intended to meet the cost of fees and some general expenses of a prospective or present student on the MA in Journalism at the School of Communications, Dublin City University who wishes to specialize in investigative journalism. The bursary award scheme was initiated in 2007.

By the deadline, applicants must propose an outline of their major project/dissertation on a topic or in a format relevant to the memory of Veronica Guerin. This, for example, might be a series of five investigative features or an in-depth radio documentary or an academic study of the practice of investigative journalism.

The panel of assessors, including representatives of Independent News & Media and DCU's School of Communications, will make its selection on the overall quality of applications, taking particular account of (a) the rationale and clarity of the proposal; (b) its proposed methodology; (c) the investigation/research plan, including possible sources; (d) academic and/or professional performance to date; and (e) the suggested place of publication for proposals in journalism formats.

Applicants may refer to journalism or research they have done that is relevant to their proposal. Applications are invited from individuals who have worked in some capacity as journalists and who wish to be registered on DCU's Masters in Journalism programme (PAC code DC600) in the academic year 2015-2016. Programme entry requirements are available on the DCU website.

The successful candidate for the scholarship will have a place reserved on the programme in autumn 2015. The place will be confirmed if the applicant demonstrates s/he has the required qualifications, motivation and/or journalism experience. Where a successful applicant has secured additional scholarship funding from another source, this may be taken into account in determining the final level of the Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship award.

Applications should reach Paul McNamara, chairperson, MA in Journalism programme, School of Communications, Dublin City University, Dublin 9 by noon on Friday, 29 May 2015. The application should include: (1) a concise curriculum vitae; (2) a statement of motivation and suitability for the scholarship (maximum 250 words); (3) an outline of the investigative journalism project or academic dissertation to be undertaken as part of the Masters in Journalism programme (maximum 500 words).

Programme Structure:

This one year, full-time programme consists of taught courses for two semesters, with a project or dissertation and a trainee placement over the summer period. The project/dissertation is a major piece of academic media research, focused on journalism or a major journalistic project.

All students receive training in print, online and broadcast journalism. Modules are marked, in part or in whole, by continuous assessment, namely essays, simulated newsroom exercises, preparation of features and news stories, online activities and seminar presentations. Examinations and in-class tests are also set in some modules.

You are required to take part in the INTRA programme, which provides a placement with a media organisation during the summer period. Satisfactory completion of the placement, including submission of a work report, is a prerequisite for the award of this graduate degree.

Why DCU:

• The longest-established Masters in Journalism programme in Ireland.
• Very experienced and highly versatile lecturers.
• A broad mix of professional and intellectual training.
• A programme that has excellent working-relationships with media organisations, ensuring relevancy and up-to-the-minute content .
• An optimistic vision of the continuing need for serious journalism across all media platforms.
• A programme that has been producing excellent national and international journalists for over 30 years.

In order to maintain the strict fairness of the process, canvassing is forbidden and will result in disqualification of the candidate.

Career Prospects:

Graduates of this programme work in a wide range of areas, including mainstream journalism, organisational representation and lobbying.

Entry Requirements:

Up to 25 places are offered at each annual intake to the programme. To be considered for admission, applicants must have, at minimum, a second class honours degree [2.2] (or demonstrate, on the basis of results to date, a reasonable expectation of fulfilling this requirement before entry to the programme). Places also may be made available for candidates who have relevant professional experience.