Program Overview

Introduction to the M.S. Part-Time Program

The M.S. Part-Time Program at Columbia Journalism School is designed for working professionals who want to take their careers to the next level with new skills and career changers who want to learn the fundamentals of journalism. Launched in 1991, the program has graduated nearly 900 professionals.

Program Structure

Students in this program follow the same curriculum as full-time students but complete their work over two years instead of 10 months. Part-time students start taking courses in the fall and begin working on their master's projects the following May. For the subsequent fall and spring, students select the courses they need to fulfill the remaining requirements.

Eligibility and Application

Applicants who can attend class and spend at least six to eight additional hours per week reporting and writing are eligible for the part-time program. Although some classes are offered at night and on weekends, this is not a night program. Applicants must have enough flexibility in their jobs to chase stories wherever the reporting takes them and attend extracurricular events at the Journalism School.

Program Benefits

The program offers several benefits, including:

• Building core journalism skills — from interviewing and research to writing and editing — while learning to tell compelling stories across print, audio, video, and digital.
• Sharpening editorial instincts and navigating complex ethical decisions with guidance from experienced faculty and working professionals.
• Strengthening the ability to chase, report, and file stories on deadline while balancing professional and academic commitments.
• Developing strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively pitch ideas, collaborate with colleagues, and present stories clearly to diverse audiences.

Curriculum

The program covers a range of topics, including:

• Reporting Across Platforms
• News Judgment and Ethics
• Deadline-Driven Storytelling
• Communication and Collaboration

Other Programs

Columbia Journalism School also offers other programs, including:

• M.S. Full-Time
• M.A. Degree
• Ph.D.
• M.S. Sequences

Program Details

• The program is designed for working professionals and career changers.
• Students complete their work over two years.
• The program offers a range of benefits, including building core journalism skills and developing strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• The curriculum covers topics such as reporting across platforms, news judgment and ethics, and deadline-driven storytelling.
• The school also offers other programs, including M.S. Full-Time, M.A. Degree, Ph.D., and M.S. Sequences.