Master of Arts | M.A.

Journalism and Mass Communication

  • Course Overview
  • Why Choose This Course?
  • Curriculum
  • Fee Structure
  • FAQs

The MA in Journalism and Mass Communication is a postgraduate program of one-year duration designed to advance theoretical understanding and professional competencies in media, communication, and journalism studies. The course emphasizes critical analysis, media ethics, communication theory, and contemporary journalism practices within an academic framework.

This program covers the specialization of Journalism and Mass Communication, integrating classroom instruction with practical exposure through media labs, reporting assignments, fieldwork, projects, and supervised internships. The curriculum aligns with evolving media landscapes, enabling learners to develop industry-relevant skills applicable across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.

Job Opportunities
Graduates of this program can pursue diverse career paths, including:
Journalist – Reporting, researching, and presenting news across media platforms.
Content Editor – Editing and curating written and digital media content.
Media Research Analyst – Conducting research on media trends and audience behavior.
Public Relations Executive – Managing organizational communication and media relations.
Digital Media Strategist – Planning and executing digital communication campaigns.
Corporate Communication Officer – Handling internal and external corporate messaging.
Broadcast Producer – Coordinating and managing television or radio programs.
Media Educator – Supporting academic and training roles in media studies.
Communication Consultant – Advising organizations on communication strategies.

Focused Industries
The journalism and mass communication sector demonstrates sustained demand across India and global markets due to expanding digital media, information dissemination needs, and communication-driven industries. Media convergence and technology-enabled platforms continue to broaden professional opportunities.

  • Media and Broadcasting – Television networks, radio channels

  • Digital Media – Online news portals, content platforms

  • Advertising and Public Relations – Communication agencies, branding firms

  • Corporate Communications – Multinational and domestic organizations

  • Education and Training – Academic and skill development institutions

Market Leader Companies
Indian Companies: Times Group, Zee Media, Network18, NDTV, Hindustan Times, India Today Group
International Companies: BBC, Reuters, CNN, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, Thomson Reuters

Future Forecast -
The field of journalism and mass communication is expected to maintain long-term relevance due to continuous growth in digital media ecosystems, evolving audience engagement models, and increasing reliance on structured communication across sectors. Technological integration supports sustainable career pathways requiring analytical, ethical, and adaptive communication expertise.

Why Choose
This program provides a structured academic pathway for learners seeking advanced knowledge and professional competence in journalism and communication studies within a condensed postgraduate format.

The curriculum supports skill enhancement, research orientation, and industry adaptability, making it suitable for learners aiming to progress in media, communication, or related academic domains.

🌟 Why Choose M.A. (Master of Arts)?

The Master of Arts (M.A.) is one of the most versatile postgraduate degrees, offering the depth of knowledge, analytical thinking, and communication skills needed across government, academia, journalism, counseling, international relations, and more.

Unlike technical degrees that focus on tools or platforms, the M.A. is about nurturing your intellect, values, and understanding of the world — helping you create meaningful impact in society, culture, education, or governance.

🎓 “The M.A. doesn’t just teach you about the world — it empowers you to change it.”


🧭 Career Progression Map

      Bachelor’s Degree (Any Discipline)
                    │
                    ▼
           🎓 Master of Arts (M.A.)
                    │
    ┌───────────────┬───────────────┬───────────────┐
    ▼               ▼               ▼               ▼
📚 PhD / UGC-NET   🏛 Govt Services  🧠 Counseling   📰 Media/Comms
    │               │               │               │
    ▼               ▼               ▼               ▼
👩‍🏫 Prof / Researcher 🎖️ IAS/PCS Officer 💬 Psychologist  🗞️ Editor/Strategist


 

🎯 Skill Wheel – What You’ll Gain

Domain Core Skills Developed
🧠 Critical Thinking Questioning norms, ideation, logical reasoning
✍️ Writing & Communication Structured essays, arguments, publishing
📊 Research & Analysis Data interpretation, fieldwork, surveys
🌐 Cultural Understanding Global awareness, diversity, context sensitivity
🏛 Policy & Governance Public systems, institutions, decision-making
🎙️ Public Speaking Debates, seminars, storytelling

✅ These skills are valued in UPSC, media houses, NGOs, schools, universities, and policy think tanks.


🌿 Specialization Tree (Pick Your Stream)


           M.A. Program
                │
 ┌────────────┬────────────┬────────────┐
 ▼            ▼            ▼            ▼
English     Psychology   Political     History
                           Science


 
Stream Sample Focus Areas Career Trajectories
📚 English Lit. Literary Criticism, Postcolonial, Film Lit Editor, Educator, Content Lead
🧠 Psychology Clinical, Developmental, Counseling School Counselor, HR, NGO Mental Health
🏛 Political Sci. Indian Polity, International Relations UPSC, Policy Analyst, Embassy Attache
📜 History Medieval, Modern, World Civilizations Museum Curator, Historian, Educator
🌏 Sociology Gender, Urban Studies, Inequality Development Sector, Research Fellow
📈 Economics Micro/Macro, Econometrics, Policy Analyst, Consultant, Economist

💼 Real-World Job Examples

🎯 Role 💼 Sector 💰 Avg Salary (INR)
👩‍🏫 Assistant Professor (UGC-NET) Higher Education ₹5 – ₹10 LPA
🧠 School Psychologist K–12 Education / NGOs ₹4 – ₹8 LPA
🏛 Policy Researcher Think Tanks / Govt Projects ₹6 – ₹12 LPA
📰 Content Strategist / Editor Media / Publishing ₹5 – ₹9 LPA
🎖️ Civil Services (UPSC, PSC) Government Admin Services ₹8 – ₹15 LPA
🌍 Social Impact Consultant UN, World Bank, NGOs ₹6 – ₹12 LPA

📈 Why the M.A. is a Smart, Future-Focused Choice

  • NET & PhD Ready – Build a path toward research and teaching

  • 🏛 UPSC & Civil Services Prep – Covers Indian polity, economics, society

  • 💼 Social Impact Careers – NGOs, policy think tanks, education reform

  • 🧠 Mental Health Relevance – Psychology opens doors in wellness & counseling

  • 📰 Creative + Strategic Roles – Content creation, editorial, communications

  • 🌐 Globally Valued – Offers pathways into diplomacy, development, and academia


🚀 ScholarIQ’s Edge for M.A. Students

Tool/Feature What It Delivers
🧭 Career Discovery Match your stream with 10+ real-world roles
📘 Visual Syllabus Guide Semester flow + specialization suggestions
🎯 Civil Services Toolkit Free resources for UPSC, PCS, NET
💬 Virtual Mentors Prep support for academia, media, or counseling
📈 Skill Gap Dashboard Learn what’s trending in careers you aim for
💼 Portfolio Builder Help creating writing, research, and LOR assets


 

📘 Semester-Wise Syllabus for M.A. (Master of Arts)

Program Duration: 2 Years | 📚 Total Semesters: 4
🎓 Credit Load: 80–96 | 📄 Core + Electives + Research Project

Most universities offer streams like English, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, History, Hindi, Economics, etc. The structure below is universal, while electives & topics vary by specialization.


🧠 Year 1: Conceptual Foundations & Core Theories

📅 Semester 1 📅 Semester 2
Core Paper 1 – Introduction to Discipline Core Paper 3 – Theoretical Frameworks
Core Paper 2 – Methodology & Approaches Core Paper 4 – Social / Cultural Perspectives
Elective I – Discipline Adjacent Topic Elective II – Applied Concepts
Open Elective (Interdisciplinary Course) Seminar Presentation / Group Project
Research Methodology Basics / Fieldwork Internal Assessment + Mid-Term Paper

🔍 Example: M.A. in English Literature

📅 Semester 1 📅 Semester 2
History of English Literature Indian Literature in English
Literary Criticism & Theory American / World Literature
Poetry: Chaucer to Modern Modern Drama / Fiction
Elective I (Film & Literature / Translation) Elective II (Postcolonial / Diaspora Lit)

🏛 Example: M.A. in Political Science

📅 Semester 1 📅 Semester 2
Western Political Thought Indian Political Thought
Theories of State and Sovereignty Comparative Politics
Indian Constitution and Institutions International Relations
Elective I (Public Admin / Policy Studies) Elective II (Gender & Politics / Environment)

🎯 Year 2: Specialization, Research & Career Integration

📅 Semester 3 📅 Semester 4
Advanced Paper I (Based on Specialization) Research Dissertation / Viva
Advanced Paper II Elective IV – Interdisciplinary/Industry Linked
Elective III Seminar / Colloquium / Peer Review
Fieldwork / Internship (Psychology/Sociology) Skill-Based Workshop (Digital Tools/Report)

🧪 Elective Samples by Stream

Stream Elective Topics
🧠 Psychology Abnormal Psychology, Counseling, Psychometry
📚 English Lit. Gender Studies, Postcolonialism, Literary Adaptation
🏛 Political Science Diplomacy, Global Governance, Election Studies
📜 History Art & Architecture, Environmental History, Heritage Studies
🌍 Sociology Urban Sociology, Marginalized Communities, Religion & Society
📈 Economics Behavioral Econ, Development Policy, International Trade

🧰 Add-On Skill Workshops (By ScholarIQ Recommendation)

  • 📑 Academic Writing & LaTeX Formatting

  • 💬 Communication for Research & Policy

  • 🧪 Qualitative & Quantitative Research Tools (SPSS, NVivo)

  • 🎙️ Seminar Presentation & Abstract Submission Skills

  • 💼 UPSC/Government Exam Integration Modules (Optional Track)



 

The program has a duration of one year divided into two academic semesters.

Applicants must hold an NHEQF Level six certification in Journalism or an equivalent qualification.

Yes, this course is a postgraduate Master of Arts degree.

Yes, the curriculum includes media labs, fieldwork, projects, and supervised internships for practical exposure.

The program covers journalism studies, mass communication theory, media ethics, digital media, and research methodologies.