Studying journalism in the USA will enable you to have a wide range of skills such as reporting, editing, anchoring, producing, managing news. The United States has one of the highest developed mass media in the world. As a result, there is advanced technology, innovation and research that will aid in your studies. Additionally, you will gain valuable communication and multimedia skills that will be useful in various parts of the world. Studying journalism in the USA will give you a certificate that is globally recognised. This can have a beneficial impact on your career as well as your reputation as a journalist.

Studying journalism in the USA will give you the best education and skills to start a successful career in journalism. However, there are certain criteria you have to meet before you can study journalism in the USA. Firstly, you need to possess good communication skills as well as good writing skills. Secondly, you must have the right academic qualifications and documents.

In this piece, I will guide you through the academic requirements and documents that are needed for studying journalism in the USA.

Requirements for studying Journalism in the USA

1. Complete your Higher Secondary Education

   You need to complete your Secondary Education to be able to study journalism in the USA. You should have completed your education to the 12th grade. Additionally, the minimum aggregate marks for journalism in the USA is 50%. However, some universities may have higher or lower requirements.

2. High School Academic Transcripts

   You need to submit your high school academic transcripts while making your applications. This should contain all your grades as well as the subjects you studied till your 12th grade.

3. Write the SAT/ACT

   This test is required by most universities in the USA. It is used to test every applicant’s ability before they are given admission. Therefore, you need to take this test if you want to study journalism in the USA. The minimum score required for ACT is 22.

4. English Language Proficiency

   International students are required to take and pass an English language proficiency test for admission to most US universities. This is required for both undergraduate and master’s degrees. You can take tests such as the IELTS and TOEFL. Additionally, the minimum required scores vary depending on the university. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.5 – 7.0. Additionally, the minimum score for TOEFL is 79 – 100.

5. Statement of Purpose

   You should submit an essay that explains your experience, your interest in journalism as well as your future goals. Additionally, you should also include your reason for choosing to study journalism in the USA.

Requirements for Obtaining a Masters in Journalism in the USA

1. Have a Bachelor’s degree

   If you are applying to study a master’s program in journalism in the USA, you need to have a bachelor’s degree. You must have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to journalism. Additionally, your CGPA must be a minimum of second-class upper from a recognised college or university. A minimum of GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Write the Graduate Record Examination(GRE)

   This is a standardised exam that is required for applicants who are applying for a graduate degree in the USA. The minimum score for this examination ranges from 300 to 330. However, this is not a compulsory requirement for all schools.

3. Submit a Letter of Recommendation

   You need to have at least two recommendation letters. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.

4. Journalistic Work Samples

   You should submit about two to three samples of your journalistic work. This may not be compulsory for most universities. However, this can give a higher advantage amongst other applicants.

5. Statement of Purpose

   You must submit a statement of purpose or essay outlining why you want to study journalism in the USA. Additionally, you should explain what your career aspirations are, and how your academic and personal history has prepared them for this field of study.

6. Submit your Academic Transcripts

   You need to submit your academic transcripts while submitting your application. This should include all your previous education as well as all the grades and the courses. Additionally, your transcript should be written in English.

7. Resume/CV

   You may be asked to submit a copy of your resume/CV especially if you are applying for a master’s program. Therefore, you need to submit an updated resume or curriculum vitae showcasing your work experience. Additionally, you can add your professional certifications and include the skills you have.

How to Apply

You can apply to journalism in the USA by filling out an online application. Therefore, you need to visit the university’s website and fill out the online application. You may be required to pay an application fee. Additionally, you should make sure that you submit all the documents while filling out the online application.

Duration

The duration of studying journalism in the USA depends on the degree you are applying for. The bachelor’s program takes about four years to complete. Additionally, the master’s degree takes one to two years to complete.

Tuition Fee

Generally, the tuition fee for journalism in the USA ranges between 7,000 USD to 30,000 USD per year. However, this may vary based on the university that you choose to study in. Additionally, international students pay higher than home students.

Universities in the USA that pay higher Tuition Fees

1. Stanford University, Stanford, California
2. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, Illinois
3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
5. Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania
6. University of Texas at Austin, Texas
7. Harvard University, Massachusetts
8. University of California – Berkeley
9. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota
10. Cornell University, New York State
11. Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona
12. University of Washington – Seattle, Washington
13. University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
14. Michigan State University, Michigan
15. Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
16. Columbia University, New York State
17. University of California – Los Angeles, California
18. University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland
19. Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
20. University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
21. Northwestern University, Illinois
22. University of Southern California, California
23. University of Arizona, Arizona
24. Yale University, Connecticut
25. New York University, New York
26. University of California – Irvine, California
27. University of Florida, Florida
28. Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
29. Ohio State University, Ohio
30. Duke University, North Carolina
31. University of California-San Diego, California
32. University of Chicago, Illinois
33. Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia
34. Rutgers University – New Brunswick, New Jersey
35. California Institute of Technology, California
36. Princeton University, New Jersey
37. University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
38. University of Utah, Utah
39. University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado
40. Syracuse University, New York State

In Conclusion, studying journalism in the USA can be a good career decision. There are numerous benefits that come with obtaining your education in the United States. Therefore, you have to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria to have this opportunity. You should visit the university’s website and ensure that your qualifications align with the requirements before submitting your application. Feel free to reach out for inquiries or assistance.

Good luck!

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