Masters of Arts in Journalism & Digital Communications

Program Overview

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Masters of Arts in Journalism & Digital Communications

Type: Postgraduate Duration: 1 Year Full-Time / 2 Years Part-Time Validated by: QQI Mode: Full-Time / Part-Time Campus: Dublin Main Campus NFQ Level: 9

Course Overview

This programme is designed for aspiring communications professionals eager to master the art of producing, managing, and delivering high-quality journalism across multiple platforms. This programme will equip you with the skills needed for success across multiplatforms including news, social, and commercial communications content production sectors.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025

Why Study Journalism & Digital Communications at Griffith College?

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Delve into modules covering data journalism, data analytics, and investigative journalism, equipping you with the skills sought after in today's quality journalism and news sectors.
• Hands-On Production Experience: Engage in practical modules such as radio and podcasting production, video storytelling, mobile journalism, and media product design to ensure you're adept at creating compelling digital content.
• Professional Recognition: As a student, you'll have the privilege of applying for an NUJ (National Union of Journalists) Press Pass, granting you access to many journalistic opportunities and events.
• Portfolio Development: Graduate with a robust portfolio showcasing your prowess in multimedia storytelling, digital media production, and data-driven journalism, making you a standout candidate in the job market.

FAQs

• What is the duration of the MA in Journalism & Digital Communications? The program can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or over two years part-time.
• What are the key modules offered in this master's program? Core modules include: Communications & Audience Theories, Data Journalism & Analytics, Digital Communications & Investigative Journalism, Media Product Design & Professional Development, Mobile Video Production, Multiplatform Writing & Editing, Podcasting & Radio Production, and Research: Methods & Skills.
• Are there elective modules available in the curriculum? Yes, students can choose two electives from options such as International Political Economy, Photojournalism, Social/Digital Content Creation, Sports Journalism, The Business of Media, and Video Storytelling.
• What facilities are available to students in this program? Students have access to state-of-the-art radio and TV studios, editing facilities, and can build their own online professional portfolio.
• Does the program offer any professional affiliations? Participants are entitled to apply for a National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Pass for the duration of their study.
• What career opportunities can graduates expect? Graduates are equipped for careers in quality journalism, digital communications content production, and various roles across the digital communications sectors.

Course Details

Learners on the MA programme complete 10 taught modules plus a dissertation.

Core Subjects

• Communications & Audience Theories This module aims to provide learners with a critical understanding of the major theoretical paradigms of audience and communicative practice.
• Data Journalism & Analytics This module equips learners with advanced skills in data journalism and analytics, enabling them to produce data-driven stories for digital media platforms.
• Digital Communications & Investigative Journalism This module aims to teach learners how to produce investigative journalism and to do so in an ethical manner.
• Dissertation This module enables learners to identify and fully utilise available and emerging research resources in the conduct of their dissertation investigation to support and direct their research methodology or techniques.
• Media Product Design & Professional Development This module aims for learners to gain the necessary skills required to initiate, research, and produce a design product such as a new online/offline magazine, from concept to completion.
• Mobile Video Production This module aims to develop learners’ overall creative and technical production abilities by equipping them with the practical skills to approach the production of factual visual programming on mobile devices for multiplatform distribution.
• Multiplatform Writing & Editing This module aims to enable learners to attain the practical skills required to identify, plan, research, write and edit publishable news reports, feature articles, and commercial content for identified audiences on multiple platforms and for different formats.
• Podcasting & Radio Production This module aims to instil in learners the knowledge of how to create broadcast quality radio and podcast content including news and current affairs coverage.
• Research: Methods & Skills This module aims to deepen learners’ research skills in relation to their module-related assignments and later in the completion of their dissertation or dissertation by practice.

Electives

• International Political Economy This module aims to enable learners to work as journalists and/or researchers covering issues that deal with the relationship between politics and economics, both at a national and international level.
• Photojournalism This module aims to provide learners with a solid foundation in the practical, aesthetic, and ethical aspects of photojournalism and documentary photography.
• Social/Digital Content Creation This module enables learners to be able to play a lead role in production teams which produce and repurpose content for new and different online audiences, and to learn the key technical skills which allow them to plan, construct and develop their own and others’, online media artefacts.
• Sports Journalism This module aims to give learners the necessary tools to become a sports journalist, including sports writing, broadcast experience and interview skills.
• The Business of Media This module aims to provide learners with an overview of the contemporary media business environment and the most significant trends that have emerged in the media sector over the last three decades.
• Video Storytelling This module aims to equip learners with foundational skills in video in the key areas of: research, concept and story development; visual storytelling technique (image and sound), approach, and visual sequencing; and editing (technical skill and basic craft).

Timetables

• Full-Time/Part-Time & Blended Delivery The programme runs full-time for over one year with two semesters and an August dissertation submission. It is also run part-time over four semesters in two years, with 13 of the modules delivered through ‘blended learning’ where learners view lectures and related reading online at their convenience.

Eligibility

• Entry Requirements Applicants for this course should have a 2.2 degree in any discipline.
• English Language requirements Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply

• How to Apply Applicants wishing to apply for this course can do so directly.

Fees

• Tuition Fees
  • Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland
    • Study Mode: Full-Time
    • Dublin: EUR 8,150.00
    • Study Mode: Part-Time
    • Dublin: EUR 8,150.00
  • Irish/EU citizens, living abroad
    • Study Mode: Full-Time
    • Fee: EUR 9,000.
  • International
    • Study Mode: Full-Time
    • Dublin

Progression

• Academic Progression Upon completing the Level 9 MA in Journalism and Digital Communications, students may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the National Qualifications Framework.
• Career Progression Through the MA in Journalism and Digital Communications, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media production and theory. Graduates from this programme are employed in various fields across the digital communications and journalism industries.

Program Outline

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Masters of Arts in Journalism & Digital Communications (MA in JDC)

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Degree Overview:

The MA in JDC is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program designed to equip you with the skills necessary to become a communication professional who:

• Creates, produces, and manages multiplatform content across various sectors.
• Delivers high-quality journalism and a diverse range of digital communications content.
• Masters data journalism and data analytics to unlock new opportunities and career paths.
The program aims to provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to thrive in today's evolving media landscape. This includes:
• Conceptual and theoretical understanding: You will delve into communication and audience theories, research methods, and digital communication principles to form a critical understanding of the field.
• Technical proficiency: You will gain hands-on experience using industry-standard software and technologies for audio, video, and mobile media production, web design, social media, and data analysis.
• Professional development: You will hone your professional skills in sub-editing, writing for specific audiences, project management, media product design, business development, and ethical considerations in journalism.
• Real-world experience: You will work on a dissertation project and participate in practical assignments, media production exercises, and guest lectures from industry professionals to gain real-world experience.

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Outline:

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Module Structure:

The MA in JDC comprises 10 taught modules and a dissertation.

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Core Modules:

• Communications & Audience Theories: Examines major theoretical paradigms of audience and communication practices.
• Data Journalism & Analytics: Equips learners with advanced data journalism and analytics skills for multiplatform storytelling.
• Digital Communications & Investigative Journalism: Develops investigative journalism skills and teaches how to navigate media institutions and practices ethically.
• Media Product Design & Professional Development: Guides learners through the process of initiating, researching, and producing media products from concept to completion, and equips them with essential professional development skills.
• Mobile Video Production: Develops creative and technical skills for producing factual video programming for multiplatform distribution using mobile devices.
• Multiplatform Writing & Editing: Refines skills in identifying, planning, researching, writing, and editing publishable news reports, features, and commercial content for various online and offline platforms.
• Podcasting & Radio Production: Equips learners with the knowledge and techniques to create broadcast-quality radio and podcast content, including news and current affairs coverage.
• Research: Methods & Skills: Deepens research skills in relation to module assignments and dissertation preparation.
• Dissertation: A research project on a chosen topic, demonstrating mastery of media research design, implementation, data analysis, and communication of findings.

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Elective Modules:

• International Political Economy: Equips learners to analyze the relationship between politics and economics at national and international levels.
• Photojournalism: Provides a solid foundation in the practical, aesthetic, and ethical aspects of photojournalism and documentary photography.
• Social/Digital Content Creation: Enables learners to take a lead role in producing and repurposing content for new audiences and develop essential skills for digital journalism and content creation.
• Sports Journalism: Develops the necessary skills to become a successful sports journalist, including writing, broadcast experience, interview techniques, and an understanding of the industry.
• The Business of Media: Provides an overview of the contemporary media business environment, covering market structures, regulation, funding, audience measurement, and intellectual property.
• Video Storytelling: Equips learners with foundational skills in video research, concept and story development, visual storytelling techniques, and editing.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods in the MA in JDC are diverse and designed to evaluate different aspects of your learning, including:

• Written assignments: Essays, critical analyses, research reports, and creative projects.
• Presentations: Individual and group presentations to showcase research findings and project ideas.
• Examinations: Traditional exams may be used to assess your understanding of theoretical concepts and technical knowledge.
• Practical projects: Production of audio, video, and digital media pieces, demonstrating your technical skills, creativity, and ability to meet industry standards.
• Dissertation: An independent research project demonstrating your ability to research, analyze, and communicate findings on a chosen topic.

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Teaching:

The MA in JDC is delivered by a dedicated team of experienced journalism and digital communications professionals and full-time academics. This ensures you receive expert guidance and mentorship throughout your studies. The program employs a blend of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and provide a comprehensive educational experience, including:

• Lectures: Class-based lectures introduce key concepts, theories, and case studies to provide a strong foundation.
• Tutorials: Smaller group sessions facilitate deeper exploration of topics, discussion, and personalized feedback.
• Seminars: Interactive sessions encourage critical thinking, debate, and collaborative learning.
• Workshops: Hands-on workshops foster practical skill development in areas like audio and video production, data analysis, and web design.
• Independent study: Individual research and project work are crucial for developing self-management skills and deepening your chosen area of focus.

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Careers:

This program prepares you for a diverse range of career paths in the ever-growing digital communications sector, including:

• Journalist (various platforms)
• Reporter (radio, online, video)
• Investigative journalist
• Content writer (digital marketing, social media, web)
• Copywriter
• Editor
• Producer (audio, video, podcast)
• Media analyst
• Data scout
• Communications officer/specialist
• Documentary director
• Film director
• Freelance writer/photographer/editor
• NGO communications executive
• Media entrepreneur
• Flexible study options: This program is offered full-time (one year) or part-time (two years), with a blended learning option for some modules involving online lectures and independent study.
• Networking opportunities: The program fosters connections with industry professionals through guest lectures, seminars, and potential work placement opportunities.
• International recognition: The program's QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) validation ensures your qualification is recognized globally, boosting your career prospects.

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Other:

• The program provides access to state-of-the-art media facilities, including radio studios, TV studios, editing suites, and multimedia production labs.
• Learners have the opportunity to complete a professional portfolio showcasing their media production skills and journalistic work.
• Graduates of the program may progress to pursue higher-level studies at the doctorate level in related fields.

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Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland

Study Mode: Full-Time Dublin: EUR 8,000.00 Study Mode: Part-Time Dublin: EUR 8,000.00

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Irish/EU citizens, living abroad

Study Mode: Full-Time Fee: EUR 9,000.

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International

Study Mode: Full-Time Dublin Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section. An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards. A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8 Email: accounts@griffith.ie

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2% Learner Protection Charge

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

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QQI Award Fee

Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses.