Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Columbia Journalism School Pauses MA Admissions, Adds Online Degree
Columbia Journalism School is reviewing one of its journalism degrees.
It will not accept new students into the Master of Arts programme during the next admissions cycle.
Students already enrolled will finish their studies as planned.
The review is meant to give the school time to examine the programme’s curriculum.
Columbia is also starting a new online Master of Science in Journalism degree.
Students can complete it part time over two years while living and working in their communities.
They will work with teachers and classmates in a digital-newsroom style.
The programme will include reporting, writing, law, investigations, sound, images and a final project.
Columbia Journalism School will pause admissions to its Master of Arts programme for the upcoming cycle.
Dean Jelani Cobb said the pause will allow a critical evaluation of the programme’s curriculum.
Current MA students will continue their nine-month programme without interruption.
The school is launching a two-year, part-time online Master of Science in Journalism degree.
The online programme will cover reporting, writing, journalism law, investigations, multimedia and a final project.
- Who
- Columbia Journalism School, led by dean Jelani Cobb, announced the changes.
- What
- The school is pausing new admissions to its Master of Arts programme and introducing a part-time online Master of Science in Journalism.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday; the MA pause applies to the upcoming admissions cycle.
- Where
- The programmes are offered by Columbia Journalism School in New York, with the new degree delivered online.
- Why
- The MA curriculum is being evaluated, while the online degree is intended to expand access to journalism education for people in their communities.
- MA admissions
- Paused for the upcoming admissions cycle.
- Current MA students
- Will complete the nine-month programme as planned.
- New online degree
- A two-year, part-time Master of Science in Journalism.
- Online curriculum
- Reporting and writing, journalism law, investigative techniques, image and sound, seminars and a master’s project.
- Existing programmes
- The school will continue offering the MS in Journalism and MS in Data Journalism.
- Access initiative
- The online degree is part of the CJS2030 Access initiative.
- MA audience
- Working journalists with at least three years of professional experience.