The Columbia Journalism School will pause admissions for its Master of Arts program, dean Jelani Cobb announced on Thursday. The country’s most prestigious journalism school also announced a new online, part-time degree.
In a note to alumni of the M.A. program, Cobb wrote that the university administration has “initiat[ed] a critical evaluation” of the M.A. curriculum. “To give this review the focus it deserves, we are temporarily pausing admissions for the upcoming admissions cycle.”
The school’s admissions page has been updated with a similar message.
Columbia will continue to offer its Master of Science programs in Journalism and Data Journalism. Current M.A. students are not affected by the pause. The estimated cost of attendance for the nine-month M.A. for the 2026-2027 year is roughly $120,000. The M.S. costs around $130,000 and the year-long M.S. in Data Journalism costs about $180,000. According to Columbia, around 80% of students receive some sort of financial aid.
The M.A. program was designed for working journalists with at least three years of experience “to go deeper into a specialized subject.” The Master of Science degree, described as “the foundational program of the Journalism School,” is for students with “zero to three years” of professional experience.
The school also announced it will, for the first time in its history, offer an online degree. The new online Master of Science in Journalism program will be part-time with students earning a degree over two years.
“This new program brings an Ivy League J-School education directly to students across the United States,” reads one post from the Columbia Journalism School on X. “With guidance from CJS’s faculty of working journalists, you can develop your reporting skills while continuing to live and work in your community.”
Here’s the full note from Cobb:
I am writing to share an update about the Master of Arts program at Columbia Journalism School.
As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our graduate education timely and innovative, the administration is initiating a critical evaluation of the M.A. curriculum. To give this review the focus it deserves, we are temporarily pausing admissions for the upcoming admissions cycle.
We want to reassure you directly: this evaluation phase reflects our commitment to continuous excellence. It does not alter the standing, prestige, or lasting value of your CJS M.A. degree.
The M.A. degree is grounded in deep domain expertise, rigorous analytical reporting, and subject-matter authority—qualities media organizations and independent journalists need now more than ever. The groundbreaking work produced by our alumni network across global newsrooms continues to define the high standards of this program and reinforce the strength of your credential.
Periodic curricular review is a standard practice at Columbia to ensure our specialized tracks advance alongside the media landscape. Current M.A. students are completing their nine-month curriculum without interruption, receiving the full scope of concentration coursework, thesis advisement, and faculty mentorship.
We remain immensely proud of your achievements and the impact of your reporting worldwide. If you have questions, please contact Dr. George Miller, associate dean for academic affairs.
Sincerely,
Jelani Cobb
Dean & Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism
Nieman Lab has reached out to Columbia Journalism School for more details. This story will be updated.
