Essie gets a four-year college degree in journalism. what qualification is this an example of?

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The Graduate Diploma in Journalism enables you to study another subject without completing a second bachelor’s degree. The graduate diploma is a bridging tool to gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a specific area so you can go on to postgraduate study.

The diploma will develop your understanding of both theoretical and applied issues in journalism and related areas. Topics covered include:

• news reporting and writing
• audio-visual journalism
• media law and ethics and court reporting
• investigative reporting
• political journalism
• editing for journalism or communication
• public relations.

Becoming a journalist

If you are not yet a journalist and wish to become one, instead look at our Bachelor of Communication (Journalism).

Cross-crediting

You can do journalism studies courses as part of a communication, arts, business, or other degree. If you are studying at a university other than Massey, it is likely you can arrange to have journalism studies courses cross-credited to your degree. Ask your university for more details.

Courses in the Graduate Diploma in Journalism also form the journalism studies major in the Bachelor of Communication.

• are a journalist who wishes to learn more about the profession
• are a writer who wishes to enhance your writing skills and knowledge
• are interested in finding out more about journalism before committing to a higher level of study.

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma in Journalism you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for an undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification, or
• have been admitted to the qualification on the basis of equivalent relevant professional experience.

To ensure this qualification is right for you, you will be required to submit a short personal statement detailing why you wish to study this qualification and your relevant industry experience (if any).

If you already have an undergraduate degree, you are strongly advised to consider doing the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. 

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

• Massey University English language requirements

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits in a year.

Courses Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.

Course code Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

Credits Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

Specialisations Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Not more than 45 credits at 200 level.

At least 75 credits at 300 level.

Prerequisites Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.

Corequisites Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.

Restrictions Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Course code: 154204 Digital Media Production I Credits: 15 credits

An advanced introduction to producing digital media. This course uses hands-on, experiential learning to introduce techniques, concepts and processes for producing photography and video using industry standard hardware and software.

Course code: 219204 News Media and Society Credits: 15 credits

This course examines the structure and functions of New Zealand news media, including its linkages to global news media systems. It also examines how different social identities are constructed in news media.

Course code: 219223 Advanced News Reporting Credits: 15 credits

The practice and theory of advanced news reporting, including sourcing and producing multi-platform news stories to a publishable standard.

Course code: 219231 News Media Reporting Credits: 15 credits

An exploration of current principles and practices and the fundamentals of news gathering and news production.

Course code: 139340 The Publishing Project Credits: 15 credits

In this course, students study and experience the principles, processes and practice of publishing, through the co-production of an online publication. Key concepts include teamwork, co-production, theme selection, peer review, production scheduling, source selection, and online publishing.

Course code: 219311 Communication Internship Credits: 15 credits

This course provides students with a period of workplace experience with knowledge of communication concepts and terminology gained throughout their degree, in a series of analytical assessments.

Course code: 219325 Journalism and Politics Credits: 15 credits

The theory and practice of political journalism, including researching and writing news stories about political issues and events to a publishable standard.

Course code: 219335 Media Law and Ethics Credits: 15 credits

Students develop an understanding of the process of making editorial decisions on matters of media law and ethics, including defamation, privacy and complaints about the media.

Course code: 219336 Researching Journalism Credits: 15 credits

An examination of the affinities and tensions between academic research on journalism and journalism practice, highlighting the methodological diversity of the academic field of journalism studies, exploring the research methods used in investigative journalism, and reflecting on the research logic of journalism practice.

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

• Student loans (StudyLink)
• Fees Free
• Student portal

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

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Discover how the media shape our identities and our world. Massey will help you create, critique, and connect with the media world, building skills to understand and make media for a wide range of professional communication roles.

Build on your undergraduate interests in media studies with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media Studies). Develop your research and analysis skills by exploring an area that interests you.

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Gain practical industry skills through Massey’s journalism qualifications, the only qualifications in Australasia accredited by US organisation the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.