If you are intent on becoming a journalist in the print or electronic media then journalism or mass communication is a good higher education option. To be a good journalist you need to have

• good writing skills,
• presentation and other communication skills,
• a habit of reading extensively books of varied interests,
• an analytical mind,
• a keen sense of observation and presence of mind
• courage to speak the truth that may upset some

The various courses in journalism and mass communication that are on offer provide knowledge and skills in a variety of disciplines, such as print or electronic journalism, development communication, communication research, and advertising and public relations.

Since only some universities and colleges offer journalism or mass communication as the main subject at the degree level, you must do an undergraduate course in a different discipline of your choice. Thereafter you can head straight to do a master’s or postgraduate diploma course in either journalism or mass communication.
A master’s degree in journalism/mass communication or a postgraduate diploma in journalism will pave your way to becoming a trainee journalist, reporter, or subeditor. Graduates with the postgraduate diploma may also try for these positions.

DEGREE COURSES

CENTRE FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION OF THE ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES UNIVERSITY

Located in Hyderabad, the Centre for Media and Communication of the English and Foreign Languages (EFL) University offers a BA (honors) course in mass communication and journalism. You need to have passed your plus two examination, or any equivalent. The objective of the course is to prepare a student for a wide range of careers in the rapidly growing field of media. The syllabus is designed to help students gain comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge. The first four semesters of the three-year course cover the history, theory, production principles, and debates shaping the field. In the final two semesters, students need to choose an area of specialization, complete an internship with a media organization, and submit a project report. Students may choose to learn a foreign language from among Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, or take up a module in English literature and cultural studies.

An entrance test and an interview are the means of short-listing applicants. Those who graduate from this course with at least 55 percent marks may join the MA course in media and communication conducted by the university. For further details go to www.efluniversity.ac.in

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Located in Chennai, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of IIT-Madras now offers an integrated five-year master’s programme for those who have finished high school. The course is offered in development studies and English studies; 23 seats are available for each of the two disciplines. It allows students to choose their disciplines after getting a wide exposure to humanities and social sciences. Once students complete the programme they will have a range of career options to choose from, including academics, journalism, and language training.

To select candidates for the course, IIT, Madras conducts the Humanities and Social Science Entrance Examination. Those who have scored an aggregate of at least 60 percent marks in their plus two examination can take the test. Those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and the physically challenged require at least 55 percent marks. For further details go to http://hsee.iitm.ac.in.

COLLEGES IN KERALA

The following colleges and institutes located in Kerala conduct BA mass communication and related courses.

• A.J. College of Science and Technology, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram
• Amrita College of Communication, Amritha University
• Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta (BSc video production and science communication)
• Dr. Gafoor Memorial MES Mampad College, Malappuram
• Hikamiyya Arts and Science College, Pathiriyil, Malappuram
• Mar Invaios College, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram
• Minority Arts and Science College, Vattapparamba, Palakkad
• NMSM Government College, Kalpetta, Wayanad
• Pazhassi Raja College, Pulpally, Wayanad
• St. Xavier’s College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram

COLLEGES OUTSIDE KERALA

Some of the colleges outside Kerala that offer degree courses in journalism and mass communication are

• Manipal University;
• SRM University, Chennai;
• Andhra University, Visakhapatnam;
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi;
• Bangalore University, Bangalore;
• Berhampur University, Berhampur, Orissa;
• Bundelkhand University, Jhansi;
• University of Delhi;
• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar;
• Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla;
• Osmania University, Hyderabad;
• Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

PG-LEVEL COURSES

There are several postgraduate-level courses in journalism and mass communication, some of which are

• Master of Journalism (MJ)
• Master of Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
• Master of Communication Studies (MCS)
• Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)
• MA mass communication
In addition there are postgraduate diploma and doctoral programmes too.
Some universities conduct postgraduate courses in visual media or visual communication. With rapid changes in mass communication, many universities in India have renamed courses in journalism as mass communication or communication journalism. The revolution in communication that followed the convergence and integration of communication technologies has impacted greatly on journalism and mass communication.

Some of the colleges that offer these courses are,

• The INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION (IIMC) in New Delhi and Dhenkanal in Orissa. Websites: www.iimc.nic.in; www.iimc.gov.in
• The ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM, Chennai. Website: www.asianmedia.org
• The Department of Communication and Journalism on Karyavattam campus of the UNIVERSITY OF KERALA in Thiruvananthapuram offers the MCJ course
• The School of Communication and Information Science of MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY in Kottayam
• DB COLLEGE, Keezhoor, Kottayam
• The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication on the Tenhipalam campus (Malappuram district) of the UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT
• Farook College in Kozhikode
• St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda
• SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Vazhayur, Malappuram
• DON BOSCO COLLEGE, Angadikkadavu, Kannur
• The Amrita School of Communication
• GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY, Delhi. Website: www.ipu.ac.in
• THE SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION, Pune
• THE MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION under Manipal University
• The School of Media Studies under SRM UNIVERSITY, Kattankulathur
• The University of Madras, Chennai
• Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
• Banaras Hindu University Varanasi
• Pondicherry University, Puducherry
• The Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore
• Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi
• Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai

The Kerala Press Academy, Kakkanad, Kochi; the institutes of journalism under the press clubs in Thiruvananthapuram, Kotayam, and Kozhikode; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram; and the Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam, conduct one-year postgraduate diploma courses.

A related higher study option is visual communication. The Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Brahmasthanam, Edappally North, Kochi offers an MFA visual media course with specialization in broadcast journalism and video production, applied art and advertising, animation and content management (www.amrita.edu).

Another option is becoming a radio jockey. The IIMC, New Delhi has introduced a one-year certificate course in radio jockey. Graduates in any discipline with communication and presentation skills can enter this profession.