MCJ: Course, Admission, Jobs, Scope, Syllabus, Colleges 2023

Q: What are the placement options after completion of MCJ course?

One can go for higher studies after completing their masters degree like MPhil in Journalism or PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism.

Master of Communication & Journalism is a 2-year post-graduate program in mass communication. The study of MCJ master’s course includes Journalism, Film, Media, Mass Communication categories, and sub-category Journalism.

MCJ Course covers all forms of media from newspaper to television including news headlines to film scripts. Sub-disciplines of the MCJ program broadly consist of the following components are Copywriting, Print Journalism, Creative Problem-Solving Skills, Media & Society etc

MCJ eligibility is that the student must have aggregate of 50% or 60%. There may be variations in the eligibility criteria of different institutions.

MCJ Entrance exams are also conducted separately by institutions. Merit list is prepared on the basis of qualifying score and fulfilling above mentioned eligibility criteria. An entrance exam is followed by Counseling, GD, and PI. Various private and government institutions offer the course with an annual fee ranging between INR 10,000 to 5 lakhs.

See More: Journalism Courses after 12th

Master degree holders can secure positions in different media platforms such as Magazines and Journals, Radio Telecasting Agencies, TV channels, websites, and others. They are eligible for job profiles like Editor, Correspondent, Content Writer, Art Director, Business writer, Public Relations Manager etc

The average package is highly fluctuating based on skill and availability of on-campus placement opportunities. The average package may vary from INR 2,00,000-3,00,000 Per Annum to 12 lakhs PA.

One can opt for a Doctoral degree after receiving a master’s degree in mass communication and journalism. They can further choose research or teaching as professors of media communication at universities.

See More: Top Master of Communication & Journalism College in India

Table of Content

Master of Communication and Journalism: Course Highlights
Master of Communication & Journalism: What is it About?

2.1 Why study?

Master of Communication & Journalism: Admission Procedure

3.1 Eligibility criteria

3.2 Entrance Exams

Master of Communication & Journalism: Top Colleges
Master of Communication and Journalism: Distance Education
Master of Communication & Journalism: Course Syllabus

6.1 Recommended Books

Course Comparisons
Master of Communication and Journalism: Job Profile

8.1 Future Scope

Master of Communication & Journalism: FAQs

Master of Communication and Journalism: Course Highlights

Course Level	Post Graduate
Full-Form	Master of Communication and Journalism
Duration	2 years
Examination Type	Semester/Yearly ( Institute Dependent)
Eligibility	Graduation
Admission Process	Through Entrance Exams and GD/PI
Course Fee	INR 10,000-5,00,000
Average Salary	INR 2 lakhs to 12 lakhs Per Annum
Top Recruiting Companies	India Today Group, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, CNN, NDTV, CNBC, Accenture, Doordarshan, Wizcraft Entertainment, Balaji Telefilms, Infosys, Wipro, Oracle, Adobe, Disney Entertainments, etc.
Job Positions	Public Relations Manager, Business Writer, Cartoonist, TV anchor, Script Writer, Public Affairs Manager, Event Manager, Broadcast Journalist, Ad copywriter, and many more.

Master of Communication & Journalism: What is it About?

Different colleges are offering a Master degree in several forms:

Master of Science in Mass Communications
Master of Arts in Mass Communication
Master of Mass Communications.
Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (M.J.M.C)

Details of course in brief are:

Mass Communication and Journalism master program enables a graduate in any discipline to follow their passion for wide media-related services.
Components of MCJ degree are various Research, Writing, Communicating, Analytical fields that widens the boundaries of placements.
Master of Communication and Journalism specializations are Print Journalism, Advertising & Broadcasting, and Photojournalism.

Why study Master of Communication and Journalism?

Doing post-graduation in Communication and Journalism can be a choice after pursuing a Bachelor's degree in the same or a different stream. Some reasons to opt-out this course are listed as:

Passion: If you possess an aptitude for observation and analysis. You want to work with Confidence & Strict Deadlines. You find your comfort in expressing and researching best out of the mud.
Skills: While pursuing the degree you inculcate mass media skills related to Business, Print Media, Digital and Audio Editing, Advertising, Film Production, Communication skills, and more.
Influence Others: If you want to be an Influencer in society then this course best defines you by your writings, actions, communication, relations, and much more.
Platform: After completing a master’s degree one is compatible with jobs on several media platforms. By Branded Recruiters, you reach out to the world and convey your thoughts and opinion.

Master of Communication & Journalism: Admission Procedure

Admission to Govt. or Private institutions of Mass Communication and journalism in India are based on the merit secured in the Entrance Exam of the respective University/Institution. The counselling process includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

One of the famous Entrance exams for MCJ degree in India is the Central Universities Common Entrance Test. Following are the steps to fill the examination application form :

Application Mode: Via online mode after the application is available.
Fill Online Application Form: Fill in the complete form including important information like phone no. and email id. Choose the centre/city for examination.
Application Fee: Pay the form fee online.
Download CUCET Admit Card.
Appear in CUCET Exam: Exam is a pen-paper test of 2 hours duration and 100 marks.
Results: Results are announced on the official website.
Counselling Process: Qualified candidates are eligible for the counselling process. Candidates are required to fill the participating university forms for admission to Master of Communication and Journalism.

Master of Communication & Journalism: Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria of some institutes may differ from the normal. The basic criteria for admission to a postgraduate degree program of Mass Communication and Journalism is as follows:

Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 50%.
For reserved categories ( SC/ST/OBC), the minimum aggregate score of 45% at graduation is eligible.

Master of Communication & Journalism: Entrance Exams

The table below mentions important dates of known Entrance Exams:

Exam Name	Application Date	Exam Date
SIMS MA Entrance Test	To be Announced	To be Announced
WLCI (Atitude Test )	To be Announced	To be Announced
MET	1st Attempt : October 13, 2022 – March 31, 2023 2nd Attempt : October 13, 2022 – To be updated	1st Attempt : April 28 – 30, 2023 2nd Attempt : May 27 – 28, 2023
Asian College of Journalism Exam	To be Announced	To be Announced
CUET PG	Mid March 2023 - 3rd week of March 2023	June 1 – 10, 2023

How to prepare for the Entrance Exam?

The following points can be considered while preparing for Post Graduation entrance examinations to secure better merits:

Start preparing before graduation for higher studies entrance exams. Revise thoroughly the recurring syllabus of UG on exam level.
Stay Updated. Keep in touch with paper and electronicMedia for the latest news and developments. Business & Political Magazines can help a lot. Make your own notes highlighting keywords and phrase information in shorter formats.
Refer to Entrance Exam Preparation Books. Various publications like Arihant Publication, Manorama release a set of previous year question papers, and mock tests along with answers to help students know the pattern of examination.
Be curious about information. Develop a sense of curiosity and problem-solving attitude towards daily issues or behaviours. Journalism comprises confidence, communication, observation, and judgment-making skill.

How to get Admission to Top Masters of Communication and Journalism College?

Prepare for the Aptitude Test by practising more and more questions. Most of the exams assess students on the basis of Analytical, Communication, and Quantitative Abilities.
Fact Check. It is very important to check all the latest updates in the field of mass media and communication. General Knowledge of the student plays a major role in evaluation.
Prepare Current Affair notes. The level of exams in various universities gets tougher with this section. Study smart.
Prepare for Personal Interview rounds. In subsequent rounds of counselling your communication and presenting skills are measured. Prepare yourself in advance.
Never miss an alert of important dates from the university or institute of your choice. Otherwise, you may lose the chance of appearing in respective university exams.

Master of Communication & Journalism: Top Colleges

Top colleges offering the Master of Communication and Journalism degree, as per India Today ranking .

Top College	Average Annual Fees
Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication	INR 1,90,000
Lady Shri Ram College for Women	INR 19,000
Amity School of Communication	INR 97,000
Delhi College of Arts & Commerce	INR 10,470
Indraprastha College for Women	INR 23,500
Department of Journalism, Madras Christian College	INR 14,000
Institute of Mass Communication Media Technology, Kurukshetra University	INR 22120
Kamla Nehru College for Women, Karputhala	INR 9,900

Master of Communication and Journalism: Distance Education

Some colleges offer a Mass Communication and Journalism master's degree in the form of Distance Education. However, due to the practical aspect of the course, it's not popular.

MCJ degree is provided with a distance learning program in the following Institutes:

Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya University: Located in Bhopal, Madhyapradesh. The university offers a post-graduation Mass Communication and Journalism Distance Education Course. The minimum eligibility criteria of the varsity is a Graduation certificate from a recognized board. The course is of 2 years duration and the average annual fee is INR 9,795.
Kakatiya University: School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education (SDLCEKU) Situated in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh. The eligibility criteria is a Graduation certificate in Journalism. Students have to fill an online form at the official portal of KU college paying a required application fee. The first-year fee of MCJ program is INR 7,500.
Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University: Located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The university offers a 1 year PG Diploma in Film Making. Students applying for the course have to pay INR 7,000 for the year and the examination fee.

Master of Communication & Journalism: Course Syllabus

The syllabus is in accordance with the general outline of the course for semester-wise distribution. Specialization may have different sets of subjects to be taught.

Here is the distribution of the syllabus for the MCJ program in 4 semesters:

Semester I	Semester II
Introduction to Communication	Introduction to Public Relations
Introduction to Journalism	Introduction to Media Technologies
Introduction to Mass Communication	Journalistic Reporting and Editing
Introduction to Advertising	Advertising Design & Principles
Introduction to Computers	Introduction to Printing Technologies
Semester III	Semester IV
Introduction to Newspaper Management	Introduction to Photography
Introduction to Production Technologies	Mass Communication Ethics & Laws
Introduction to Copywriting, Visualization & Campaign Effectiveness	Introduction to Communication Research
Introduction to Mass Communication & Society	New Media Technologies
Projects, Dissertation, viva-voce, Internship	-

Electives list for the course can be mentioned broadly as:

Political Communication
Creative Communication
Global Communication
Television News and Studio Production
Basics of Audio and Video Production
Brand Planning and Management
Print Journalism
Advertising
Photojournalism
Organizational Communication
Web Design and Production
History of World and Indian Cinema
Business Ethics
Web Technologies and E-Commerce
Computer Hardware and Networking

Master of Communication and Journalism: Recommended Books

Books to be preferred when you are into Mass Communication and Journalism:

Book Name	Author Name
Mass Communication in India	Keval J. Kumar
Modern Journalism	NC Pant
Guide for Journalism and Mass Communication	Arihant Experts
Writing and Reporting News	Carole Rich
The Elements of Journalism	Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

Master of Communication and Journalism: Course Comparisons

The confusion between these two courses can be cut from the discussion below:

Master of Communication and Journalism vs Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication

Parameters	Master Of Communication and Journalism	Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication
Duration	2 years	1 year
Description	It is a post-graduate program focused on the study of media and communication with theoretical as well as practical knowledge of different forms of media.	It is the Fundamental course of Mass Communication and Journalism best suited for the ones having a passion for writing, creativity.
Admission Criteria	Entrance Exams + GD + PI	Merit List
Eligibility	Graduation degree with a minimum aggregate of 50-60%	10+2 with relevant subject choice and min 45%
Course Fee	INR 10,000-5,00,000	INR 14,000-80,00,000
Job Options	Correspondent, Journalist, Ad copywriters, Business Writers, Cartoonist, Film Producer/Director, Editor, etc.	Translator, Content Writer, Radio Industry, Communication Industries, etc.

Master of Communication and Journalism: Job Profile

Post Graduation degree holders in Mass Communication and Journalism can enter into a variety of areas including Press Media, Newspaper, Central Information Services, Magazines Publications, Film Industry, Radio Telecasting, Internet Services, etc.

Placement variations would be focused with respect to change in the ranking status of Institutes. Students with a good backup of on-campus placements surely need to master the skill for great recruitment.
One can choose the master’s program offered by Foreign Universities as well as the Journalism Colleges of the USA, Canada, Australia providing a quality education with high placement offers around the world.

Table showing most sought-after Job Profiles.

Job Position	Job Description	Average Salary Offered
Public Relation Manager	It's a job profile describing the relations of employer or customer at its best of any particular unit by establishing great communication programs keeping their point of view in mind. These are responsible to carry out the budget for the Public Relations Department.	INR 4,84,000
TV Director/Producer	They are responsible to check lights, sounds, and various technical aspects of a filming set. They are responsible to cooperate with unit members and actors for setting the best image out of the writer’s thought and Script.	INR 12,00,000 - INR 13,50,000
Scriptwriter	The script essayist is indulged in writing sequences of TV serials/films. They have the responsibility to make the plot come alive with proper delivery phrases.	INR 6,00,000 - INR 7,00,000
Business Writer	From business proposals to stock market reports, is the work of a Business Writer. They make plans for companies/organizations.	INR 4,66,000

Master of Communication & Journalism: Future Scope

To hit the high-profile job after completing a Master of Communication and Journalism, One must start planning it much ahead of time. It’s the matter of the institute from which you have qualified otherwise there are many who are working really hard to get placed and get an average salary package according to their calibre.

PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication: After Completing MCJ course one can go for a Doctoral degree in the Mass Communication field. Higher studies make student’s base firm and make them eligible for a better grant than any Master’s degree holder in the same field.
Reputed Institutes: Passing out from institutes like Jamia, Symbiosis, IIMC has a different significance in your placement company and offer. Mass Communication professionals may get a package ranging from INR 2,50,000 to INR 12,00,000 and even more. Being from a not so renowned Institute you may struggle with an average placement starting from INR 25,000 to INR 50,000. The Salary scale increases with your experience in the sector.
Job Prospects: It has a much wider and attractive scope list for getting placed. One can choose from Radio, Television, Films, etc. You may be assigned various roles of Journalism, Audio/Video Editing, Advertisement Expert, Film Maker, Public Relations Manager, Editor, Screenwriter, and so on.
Demand in the Market: With the advancement in the field of technology, there is always a scarcity of talented and trained professionals in Mass Communication. The news and Entertainment Industries are always willing to take new emerging talent. The interference of International Trade in the Media Sector is revolutionary and will open up new jobs supported by foreign investment.

Master of Communication & Journalism: FAQ’s

Some of the most frequently asked questions related to Master of Communication and Journalism.

Ques. What is the full form of MCJ course?

Ans. The full form of MCJ course is Master of Communication and Journalism.

Ques. What are the placement options after completion of MCJ course?

Ans. One can go for higher studies after completing their master’s degree like MPhil in Journalism or PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism.

Ques. What is the duration of the Masters of Communication and Journalism?

Ans. MCJ course is of 2 years like any other Master degree program.

Ques. If MCJ degree is provided through Distance Education mode?

Ans. Yes, Universities like Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Kakatiya University: School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education (SDLCEKU) Warangal, Andhra Pradesh offers distance Master of Communication and Journalism course.

Ques. What is the admission criteria for admission to the Master of Communication and Journalism course?

Ans. Different Universities set different merit lists based on the performance of the student in their respective entrance examinations. The qualifying entrance exam is followed by a Personal Interview/Group Discussion Round of Counselling.

Ques. Is MCJ a good career option in India?

Ans. Yes, with the advancement in the Media and Technology sector, Master of Communication and Journalism can be a promising course in terms of placement and reputation. Here you get a wider option list of careers to choose from and pursue your interest.

Ques. What is the difficulty level of MCJ course?

Ans. Students with interest in media, Communication, and Journalism can find ways through the theoretical and practical aspect of the course. List of electives is comfortably attached to make it way easier for students to explore their specific area of interest.

Ques. What is the average Fee of Master of Communication and Journalism course in India?

Ans. Starting with some top-ranked Govt. Institutions may range from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000. Other institutes offer the course with an average fee of INR 50,000 to INR 6,00,000.

Ques. What is the minimum Eligibility criteria for enrolling in a Master of Communication and Journalism degree program?

Ans. In order to get admission for MCJ course in an Institute, one must be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum aggregate of 50-60% ( Variable in different Universities).

Ques. What are Top Recruiting Companies for Master of Communication and Journalism Degree holders?

Ans. Warner Brothers, Disney Entertainment, CNBC, NDTV, Sahara News, India Tv, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, AIR, Hindustan Times, India Times, Oracle, Adobe, etc. are some of the top recruiting Companies for MCJ degree holders.