MA Journalism & Mass Communication course guide

We all are interconnected in the twenty-first century thanks to numerous forms of communication. Technology and the media have made it possible for us to receive information on a variety of subjects, including weather predictions, crime reports, sports upgrades, and showbiz. We are subjected to a multitude of multimedia every day. The media industry is vast and includes everything from your television to social media to radios to new channels. Similar to how media is everywhere, its breadth is enormous and offers countless employment prospects. The finest approach to be successful in this industry is to study journalism and mass communication. 

Studying mass communication entails learning effective methods for disseminating information to a large audience. Journalism teaches students to do associated press investigation and convey it to the public via radio, television, or print media such as newspapers, journals, blogs, publications, etc. The information and abilities needed to succeed in these sectors and build a successful career are covered in a Master’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Let’s check the details about the journalism and mass communication course.

An Overview of MA JMC

MA JMC is a two-year postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication. It is among the well-liked degrees amongst grads who want to acquire the academic expertise and operational skills necessary to pursue careers in journalism, public communication, and the media. Students participating in the program gain a variety of fundamental skills necessary to comprehend journalism’s intricacies and methodology and several related fields. Additionally, they receive training in ground-related tasks, including reporting and ad creation. After completing the MA JMC program, students can obtain employment in industries like PR firms, digital media, newspaper agencies, print media, and television. 

Particulars	Details
Course name	MA JMC
Full form	Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
Eligibility	Graduation from any authorized institution
Average course fee	INR 35,000- 3 Lakh P.A
Employment fields	writing and content creation, Journalism, TV and Film Industry, Fashion Photography, Digital Marketing, Print Media, Public Relations, Event Management, Advertising, and many more.
Average Salary	INR 3- 7 Lakh P.A
Skills Required	Writing, Editing, Investigating, Interviewing, Digital Literacy, Communication, Reporting, Research, Reasoning.
Job Profiles	Journalist, Columnist, News Reporter, TV Director, Public Relation Manager, Content Writer, Event Manager, to name a few.
Top Recruiting Sectors	Print Media,  Advertising, Marketing Firms, TV Channels, Broadcasting Agencies, Digital Media.

Eligibility for MA JMC course

Candidates must meet the requirements for participation in the program to enroll in the MA Journalism and Mass Communication course.

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from any recognized college/university
• Various institutions/universities may have different requirements for MA JMC eligibility. A certain minimum percentage may be required by some universities for admission to their MAJMC program.

You can also read Affordable undergraduate degree programmes for working professionals.

MA Journalism and Mass Communication syllabus

The MA in journalism and mass communication is a two-year course, with four semesters covering topics about communication and the media. This course is designed precisely for those individuals who have a deep fondness for the media and journalistic fields. Following is the semester-wise breakdown of the journalism and mass communication syllabus:

Semester 1

You will study the principles of photography, the fundamentals of news and reporting, including audio and video communications, and the growth of media, beginning with the linguistic foundations, social structure, and current events regarded as the cornerstone for journalism.

• Introduction to Communication
• Fundamentals of Journalism
• History of Mass Media
• Media, Laws and Ethics
• Computer Applications for Media
• Reporting and Editing
• Communication Media
• Print Journalism Practice

Semester 2

In this semester, you will learn in-depth topics about how the mainstream media operates, including media jargon, digital publication, public relations, broadcasting journalism, and media laws and ethics. Additionally, you will learn about political structure and development communication.

• Advance Reporting
• Public Relations and Advertising
• Editing and Presentation
• Advertising Design & Principles
• Introduction to Printing Technologies
• Television Journalism

Semester 3

Get ready to become an expert in media material, intercultural communication, and mobile editing apps. You can choose electives with various communication, digital marketing, advertising, and journalism beats. Following communication research, students will pursue a minor speciality in data journalism, corporate, strategic, health, and educational communication. The evaluation of the internship will come next.

• Media Management
• Radio Journalism
• News Writing
• Feature Writing
• Development Communication
• Rural and Environmental Journalism

Semester 4

In your final semester, you will master screenwriting and scriptwriting, audiovisual editing, and film appreciation. You will also complete a three-layered major specialization focusing on the medium (print/audio/AV production and website management), the language, and the beat (social, political, cultural, business, sports, and science). You will complete your program by submitting your thesis.

• Society and Media
• Cyber Journalism
• Economic Journalism
• Art and Culture Journalism
• Printing and Publishing
• Research Methodology

Scope of MA JMC in India

Technology is the driving force that powers the digital world, profoundly affecting journalism and mass media. Since the pandemic has kept everyone inside their homes, there has never been a greater reliance on journalism. We count on newsgroups around the globe to keep us up to date on the most recent events and developments in the world. Our connection to the outer world would’ve been gone without these channels. 

The use of content on streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, etc., has significantly expanded due to most businesses operating from home and people having some free time. The opportunities for those interested in journalism and mass communication are constantly expanding, given the rising popularity of these mass communication channels. A huge increase in job opportunities has been seen in the journalism and mass communication sector as a result of technological advancements and growing consumer demand for informative and entertaining content. When determining the field’s potential, you must consider several factors, including technological advancements, modifications in people’s lifestyles, inclinations, etc. 

The MA journalism and mass communication program includes a wider range of industries than just the media and publishing. There are several job opportunities in the corporate sector, including those for proposal writers, public relations managers, copywriters, and business writers. Every company wants to project a positive impression on others; therefore, they hire public relations professionals to handle customer relations and business management. Another employment option with excellent development potential is freelancing. 

You can work in the following industries if you have an MA in journalism and mass communication: 

• Writing and creating content
• Public relations
• Journalism
• Television reporting
• Fashion photography
• Advertising
• Film industry
• Event management
• Online media
• Digital Marketing

To know more, you can also check out Journalism and Mass Communication as a career in India.

Career prospects after MA JMC

It is alluring to pursue a career in journalism and mass communication as it opens up a wide range of possibilities. A wide range of employment options is available to those with an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication. The media and advertising industries offer a variety of exciting job options after MAJMC. Students studying journalism find it a very appealing work sector with extremely attractive compensation packages. Let’s look at some of these areas or professions that offer a wealth of job options following a MAJMC degree.

• Journalist

A journalist’s primary duty is gathering, compiling, and delivering notable information concerning past, present, and future events. They pursue leads, establish connections with potential sources, conduct first-hand research, and conduct secondary research. Journalists produce compelling feature articles, editorials, and blogs for print and online media. They must make sure that their content is factually accurate, honest, and objective because it informs and impacts the public. Additionally, they may present editors with story concepts, adhere to deadlines, and keep notes, interviews, and audio and visual recordings on file. 

• Columnist

Most of us must be familiar with some type of topic-focused section or feature in a magazine or newspaper. A professional columnist with training in journalism and mass communication may be in charge of the healthcare column, the recreation piece, the political segment, the educational section, etc. Therefore, this job profile may be ideal for you if you find creatively offering relevant content appealing.

• News reporter

Reporters are the people who conduct research and gather data about significant events, occurrences, accidents, etc., from primary sources for magazines, newspapers, content websites, news channels, and radio shows. They go to press conferences, arrange interviews, write articles, go to hearings, etc., to gather information for the tales they publish or telecast. A career as a journalist and mass media reporter is incredibly interesting and offers plenty of exposure. Reporters need to have a variety of strong skill sets, including the ability to conduct interviews, as they are expected to contact various sources and extract information through interviews.

• TV director

TV directors are in charge of helming short, feature-length, and documentaries in various genres. They edit cinema scripts, choose a narrative tone, and establish the budget for the film’s production. In addition to hiring art directors, music composers, and storyboard artists, they also organize casting sessions to select actors and actresses. They also put together a team of camera operators, costume designers, makeup artists, and set designers. They supervise acting practices, inspire actors and actresses to provide the right dramatic performances while being filmed, ensure that the shooting sticks to the planned schedule, and collaborate with editors to produce the final product. Also, they often engage with the public and the media to advertise and promote their films.

• Public relations manager

Public relations offers one of the top income job role for journalism graduates looking for a career. One of the industry’s largest benefits is the opportunity to collaborate closely with the organization’s managers and top officers. A public relations manager is accountable for managing several client accounts in print, television, and online media. They carry out pertinent market, consumer, and industry research while adhering to client specifications and identifying the customer’s objectives and target market. Formal education in journalism and mass communication equips you with strong communication, discussion, interpersonal, and executive skills ideal for public relations positions.

• Content writer/editor

Content writers provide informative, captivating, or commercial print and digital media content. They are responsible for writing social media postings, blogs, white papers, advertisements, product descriptions, manuals, and brochures. They typically adhere to editorial standards, do web research to create original content, and frequently have a target audience in mind when creating material and a clear goal. Additionally, they might optimize the material for search engines and analyze the analytics to determine reader interaction.

• Event manager

Event managers are responsible for the organization, management, execution, and supervision of a variety of private and public events. Family events, professional events, sporting events, award ceremonies, celebratory events, conferences, seminars, and promotional events are a few examples. Event managers engage with clients to go over the goals, requirements, and budget of the event. Finding and booking venues, obtaining licenses, haggling with sponsors, and communicating with suppliers are all part of their duties. Additionally, they might take care of logistics, keep track of deadlines, manage risks, inform clients, deliver invoices, gather feedback, and write event reports.

Top employers for MA JMC graduates

The astonishing and unrivaled global growth of communication technology and media has increased the significance and prominence of journalism and mass communication. Due to the significant role that technology now plays in our lives, there is an urgent need for media professionals who are not just dedicated to their work but also skilled at communicating their thoughts. The MA JMC course will not only increase your knowledge of important breakthroughs in the media business, but it will also makeget you ready for the workforce.

Given the expanding appeal of various mass communication platforms, there is a substantial possibility for those who desire to work in journalism and public communication. Studying mass communication entails learning effective methods for providing knowledge to a large audience. Overall, the fields of journalism and public communication are developing at an astounding rate. Print, TV, radio, film, and the web have all been expanding concurrently and continue to fill new ideas promptly. 

Therefore, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication can open doors for future advancement and help you enter a very rewarding field. The following professions are open to those with Masters in journalism and mass communication.

• Print media (Newspapers and magazines)
• Advertising
• Marketing firms
• TV channels
• Broadcasting agencies
• Digital media

Skills you need for a successful career in journalism

Courses in journalism and public communication can teach you important concepts and provide you with a strong foundation. Here is a brief outline of the most important skill sets that outstanding journalists share and that any aspiring journalist must develop.

• Writing

Writing is among the most crucial journalistic abilities. A journalist must cover and compose narratives that are either written or aired, whether they be for television, digital media, or both. So, in all circumstances, a journalist must possess the ability to write clearly and effectively and ensure that his writing is concise while still being detailed.

• Editing

Editing is the most sought-after journalism talent. Journalists need to be capable of analyzing both their own and other people’s work critically. The process of copyediting is essential to producing top-notch journalism. It guarantees accuracy, fairness, clarity and grammatical accuracy.

• Reporting

The core of reliable and thorough journalism is reporting. Journalists of today must possess the ability to recognize, observe, collect, evaluate, document, and distribute pertinent information, as well as the ability to report with empathy and compassion. They must carry out exhaustive journalistic research and assess the facts for their media.

• Interviewing

The ability to conduct interviews remains one of the most important journalism talents. It aids in the development of reliable, precise, and powerful narratives for journalists. Interviews are a useful method for gathering reliable information, confirming information from other sources, and uncovering and examining alternative viewpoints. Interviewing techniques for journalists go beyond simple questioning. Journalists should plan by doing research and developing goals. They need the ability to keep the conversation flowing and focused throughout interviews, as well as active listening skills.

• Investigating

Journalism experts must possess investigative reporting skills to look into any unethical behavior in society. In this approach, they can aid marginalized populations or even a community of people who endure silent suffering. To remain secure and safeguard your sources, they must be extremely discrete when doing this.

• Digital literacy

Digital technology now dominates the world, and journalists of the modern period must be extremely proficient with tools like social media, websites, applications, cellphones, computers, tablets, and any other broadcast mediums. Given that a sizable portion of the audience is switching from print media to broadcast journalism, digital literacy is essential today and will only become more so shortly. The future lies in using multimedia to communicate stories, and shortly, visual content (such as slideshows, graphics, graphs, and movies) will rule the roost.

• Communication

Effective communicators can connect with their audience and effectively convey their message. In journalism, oratorical skills are crucial for positions like an anchor, reporter, and voiceover artist. Since the profession requires a lot of writing, research, script development, content generating, and editing, written communication and the capacity to explain clearly on paper are essential abilities that broadcast journalists must possess or learn.

• Research

Research and meticulousness are essential components of journalism. Journalists are supposed to have a particular level of credibility, which can only be attained through in-depth investigation. Their insights won’t have any substance, and neither will the public embrace or follow the plot without having sufficient knowledge of the subject. Broadcast journalists simply cannot manage to be one stride behind the curve since there is so much competition for current or trending news subjects.

• Reasoning

One of the key qualities of a competent journalist is neutrality. Being impartial in how you portray news may make a huge difference, whether it’s about politics, sports, crime, or global events. Factors like data and statistical knowledge can further aid the flow of information in an understandable way.

Launch your career in Journalism with an online MA JMC through Online Manipal

The online MA in Journalism and Mass Communication program at Manipal University Jaipur is a two-year postgraduate program that is divided into four semesters. From writing to pitching their stories to the media, this course combines academic and practical learning to help students become more practical, inventive, and original. The MA JMC program incorporates the knowledge of instructors who are sensitive to real-world experience. 

Through the curriculum’s skill-enhancement courses, you can gain practical experience in writing for news media, screenwriting, digital publishing, photography foundations, audiovisual formatting, mobile photo editing, etc. The sections that include media, scriptwriting, fundamentals of videography, sound video editing, anchoring, camera handling, and other things involve students actively.

Online MA JMC course highlights

• The “MA JMC” gives students  employment options in a variety of media and locations.

• The value of this course is enhanced by the guidance and mentoring provided by competent professionals through the online MA JMC.

• The online MA JMC program encourages you to move in the right direction and field, such as print media, editing, PR and advertising, directing, journalism and reporting, anchoring, video editing, photography and videography, cartooning, research, radio, and broadcasting. Ensuring that the student is specialized in each area creates a variety of opportunities.

• After logging in, you can access the MA JMC course materials on the online platform.

Program Fee: 

The cost of the online MA journalism and mass communication course fees at Manipal University Jaipur is INR 1,30,000 (taxes included); the semester price is INR 32,500 and includes an examination fee.

Eligibility criteria: 

The following requirements must be met if you want to enroll in MA JMC:

• Applicants should have a 10+2 certificate from an approved board. 
• Candidates must have earned a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication degree or a comparable degree in any other discipline from any recognized university or institution 

Conclusion

Both the world and media technology are undergoing fast change. The media can instantly alter popular perception. In the past, only radio, newspapers, and television could provide access to information about recent events, but today, information about anything can be found on a variety of media in a matter of seconds. Great chances are available to you with the aid of a degree in journalism and mass communication. The industries anticipate the arrival of MA journalism and mass communication graduates so that they can pool their talents to produce some fresh material because more brains equal more ideas. Enroll in Manipal University Jaipur’s MA JMC online program to pave the way for a productive career with room for advancement.