To request program information, please complete our online request form. To begin the online application process, please see How To Apply.

Brittney Johnson, a first year television student, shares her experience about traveling to her alma-mater, Howard University. Brittney and Dean Neil Henry speak to prospective students about what it's like to attend the J-School.

How To Apply:

For all applicants, the deadline to apply for Fall 2009 admission is December 1, 2008.

The following application information is for new applicants only. Different instructions are available at the bottom of this page for international applicants, re-applicants (successful or otherwise), and current or previously registered UC Berkeley graduate students.

Application Components & Time Table

The application is composed of various components, most of which must be completed online. You must complete each component for your application to be considered.

Deadline	Item
December 1st, 2008, 11:59pm PST	Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships, 2009-2010
December 1st, 2008, 11:59pm PST	Applicant Summary Sheet
December 1st, 2008, 11:59pm PST	(postmark) Supplemental application materials

Incomplete applications or those that deviate significantly from the guidelines will not be considered.

Instructions for Regular Applicants

Complete the online Graduate Application for Admissions and Fellowships, 2009-2010. This application will be available Monday, September 8, 2008. This must be completed first; also please note your "Doc ID" as it is necessary for the next steps.
Submit the Applicant Summary Sheet, clicking the submit button only once. Upon submission, a brief summary record will be presented. Print out two copies—one to be sent with your supplemental material and the other for your own records. The Applicant Summary Sheet will be available on Monday, September 15, 2008.
Mail in all of the supplemental information (including the completed GPA calculator) in a single large envelope addressed to:

Office of Admissions
Graduate School of Journalism—UC Berkeley
121 North Gate Hall #5860
Berkeley, CA 94720-5860

Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships, 2009-2010

This is an online form that requires an online application account. When you access the page, further instructions will be provided. This portion of the application will include:

Proposed Degree Form
Personal Information/Education Background
Survey
GPA/GRE exam score
Personal statements--(a) statement of purpose that highlights the applicant's intentions while at Berkeley and in the specified program (750 word) and (b) personal history statement describing what developed the applicant's character and commitment to journalism (750 words)
Courses in progress/academic interests (optional)
Domestic Fellowship Application (domestic applicants applying for fellowships and/or department aid); Foreign Language Area Studies FLAS fellowship (this fellowship is only available to domestic applicants and may require additional essays/letters of recommendation)
The application fee—US citizens and Permanent Residents: $60USD non-refundable application fee. Make check or money order payable to "UC Regents"

UC citizens and permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need may be eligible for a fee waiver. The fee waiver application should be forwarded direction to:

Waiver Office, Graduate Admissions
309 Sproul Hall #5900
Berkeley, CA
94720
510-642-7405
gradadm@berkeley.edu

Supplemental Materials

The following items must be mailed to the Graduate School of Journalism in a single large envelope:

School of Journalism Applicant Summary Sheet (printed from the online form)
Completed GPA calculation (also from the Applicant Summary online form, only for domestic residents)
One-page, single-sided resume
Official ETS Standardized Test score reports (GRE test scores will be sent directly to our office by the Educational Testing Service if you use these codes:

GRE: Institution code R4833 and department code 4503

Two sealed copies of the official transcripts from each undergraduate institution attended (and outside academic work), including study abroad and community college work

Transcripts must be official (bear the official stamp of the registrar) and be sealed in envelopes bearing the registrar's imprint. We require 2 sets of all transcripts. The sealed envelopes containing the transcriptions should be the sent with the rest of your supplemental materials in your single large envelope if possible. Recall that each applicant should have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent with at least a "B" average after the first two years as an undergraduate.

Three samples of journalistic work—we prefer recently published professional work and discourage academic assignments, writing first person experiences, any writing that is focus on advocacy or marketing, writing samples all of the same topic, and clichèd topics. The samples should demonstrate depth of research, and initiative to go out of the way to dig deeper on a story, unbiased and full spectrum reporting).
- Please only send 3 samples and limit each sample to five pages or fewer; Excerpts of longer pieces are acceptable.
- Two of the three items must be writing samples but the third sample may be an audio or video submission (DVD format), a Web site or a photo essay/portfolio.
- Audio CDs should include a script.
- Photographic samples should include 6-10 images maximum, 8" x 11" maximum size. (CD is preferred.)
- Applicants who are interested in the Broadcast or Documentary sequence may choose to submit a documentary work sample (NTSC-format), but this is not a prerequisite for admission. If students wish to submit a video sample, they may do so, but only if they produced and directed the piece, and only if they feel it is a good representation of their sensibility.
- NOTE: Work samples cannot be returned.
Three letters of recommendation—we prefer those from professional journalists who know the applicant's work and can comment on the applicant's work ethic, writing proficiency, commitment to journalism
- Recommenders may use form G (on the Graduate Division website or their own letterhead; letters must be sealed in an envelope with the signature of the recommenders across the back seal.
- Foreign Language and Area Students fellowships: We encourage students to include letters of recommendation that speak to your experience and interest in this fellowship.
Please mail the supplemental information to:
Office of Admissions
Graduate School of Journalism—UC Berkeley
121 North Gate Hall, #5860
Berkeley, CA 94720-5860

International Applicants—those who hold or intend to apply for a non-immigrant visa.

In addition to the criteria set by the Graduate School of Journalism, the University of California Berkeley has a second set of requirements for international applicants. Please see http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admins_require.html

We encourage international applicants to apply to the Graduate School of Journalism. Admission is competitive; we admit only 6-10 international applicants each fall and are looking for candidates who have some demonstrated professional journalism experience.

Regrettably, financial support for international students is limited. International students are not eligible for federal student loans but will be considered for need-based departmental grants. We recommend applying for scholarships and grants from outside organizations or looking into loan programs specifically designed for international students. The Graduate School of Journalism does not offer teaching assistantships and opportunities for employment are severely limited. Students holding student visas (F-1) should not expect to be employed in nonacademic positions during the first two semesters and spouses and children on dependents' visas (F-2) are not permitted to accept employment.

Should you need assistance in visa matters or other issues surrounding your status as an international applicant, please contact the University's Services for International Students Officer at 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94720. Telephone number 510-642-2818, siss@berkeley.edu

The international application and requirements are similar to that of the domestic counterparts. Any changes or differences are noted below:

International applicants

Must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including the TWE component. You must take the entirety of the exam unless you have studied for one year or more at a college or in the US. For those who must take the exam, the last test date accepted by the Graduate School of Journalism is October for the paper exam, December for the computer-based exam.
About the TOEFL: The general TOEFL tests knowledge of English through multiple choice questions and the TWE portion requires test takes to write essays in English. We ask for the TWE because we need an English example of your approaches to structure, syntax, and grammar. The TOEFL is scored to delineate the ability of each test taker to generate, organize, and support ideas. You may sign up for the TOEFL through an agent in your own country or through TOELF, CN6145, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6154
The minimum score requirement is 600 for the paper version, 250 on the computer-based test (CBT), or 68 on the internet-based test (IBT). Most students admitted to the program score in the high 600s, above 260 for the CBT, or above 100 for the IBT).
Test scores will be sent directly to our office by the Educational Testing Service if you use these codes: TOEFL: Institution code 4833 and department code 18
Must pay a different application fee. The application fee for international applicants (F-1, J-1 visa holders) is $80USD. The check or money order should be made payable to "UC Regents"
Are expected to show proof of ability to support themselves (and family, if applicable) for two years as a student. The estimated student budget (including tuition and living expenses) for international students is approximately $43,922.00 a year. Married students should bring an additional $7,000 if accompanied by a spouse and $4,000 for each accompanying child. (Budget is subject to change).
Must have a completed degree program representing a minimum of 16 years of schooling with at least 12 years at the primary and secondary level. Students must submit official transcripts or academic records for all university-level studies they have completed abroad and at U.S. institutions. If their academic records do not include official evidence of the award of their degree, they must also submit additional documents that verify its award. Academic records should be issued in their original languages accompanied by English translations (usually prepared by your university or an official translator). If you must obtain a translation while in the United States, versions prepared by members of the American Translators Association are acceptable.

International Visiting Scholars' Program

The International Visiting Scholars' Program at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism provides a one-year, non-degree opportunity for experienced reporters and editors seeking advanced professional training and academic study.

Re-applicants—those who applied for admission within the last two years (i.e. for Fall 2009, we will consider applications submitted in Fall 2006 and Fall 2007)

Re-applicants must still submit the application fee by the December deadline. In addition, they must resubmit all material, except:

Three work samples (you may send us new samples if you wish)
The three letters of recommendation (you may submit new ones if you wish)
Official, sealed transcripts (unless you have taken additional courses since your last application, in which case you must send those transcripts)

Current/Previous UCB Grad Students

Current or previously registered UC Berkeley Graduate Students must submit all materials required for new applicants. There are some additional requirements depending on the student's status. In either case, the student must apply using the paper application.

If you are currently a graduate student at Berkeley, replace Form A with a Petition to Add or Change a Major. There is no fee to add a major. Ask your current department to forward to us a copy of your previous application packet, including all transcripts by the application deadline. You will need to submit a new statement of purpose and new letters of recommendation following the same guidelines outlined for new applicants. Contact us directly to get started on this process.

Alternatively, if were previously enrolled as a graduate student in any department, replace Form A with a Petition for Readmission. You must also pay the application fee.

Please note, current or previously registered UCB graduates must adhere to the deadline of December 1st, 11:59pm PST.