In all media - our Master in Journalism
The Master's Programme in Journalism teaches and reflects the fundamentals of journalistic work and practices in all media genres and on all platforms. Whether in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television, or on social media platforms, what counts is relevance, substance, and originality . The programme is open to applicants from all fields of study. An aptitude test determines admission. Our graduates work in numerous newsrooms nationwide.
Our masters on air
How the programme is structured
The Master's degree programme in Journalism lasts four semesters. The central components of
the programme are the teaching units on text-based and audiovisual journalism, which we call
“Lehrredaktionen”. The journalistic craft is taught and practised in small groups. For
example, students attend meetings, conduct interviews, write reports and features, produce
video clips and audio files. Students learn the theory in lectures and seminars.
The first semester usually begins with text-based journalism, in the following
semesters students are familiarised with radio, video and digital formats. In addition to the
Lehrredaktionen, workshops are offered with which the School of Journalism reacts flexibly to
changes and new requirements in journalism. The workshops cover topics such as image design,
mobile reporting, fact checking, data journalism and social media storytelling. Excursions are
also organised as part of the editorial teams, providing inspiration and input for a wide
range of media projects. These can be, for example, a print magazine, a radio programme, a
multimedia presentation or a video documentary. From the 3rd semester onwards, the
"Projektlabor" course also offers students the opportunity to try out the practical knowledge
they have learnt up to that point, implement it in a creative way and experiment with new
ideas, applications and formats.
Three internships of at least four weeks each in a newsroom are a further
component of the training programme at the School of Journalism. These can be completed at a
news agency, newspaper or magazine, radio or television station, for example. The appropriate
period is the semester break.
In the fourth semester, students are prepared for their Master's thesis. To this
end, they attend the course "Journalistic Colloquium", research topics and the appropriate
media realisation and discuss these with lecturers.
Application information
From the beginning of April each year, interested students have the opportunity to apply
online via the university website for the following winter semester (online application).
Further documents must be attached to the completed and printed application form. All
documents must then be sent to the following adress:
Registrar's Office of the Johannes Gutenberg University
55099 Mainz
The programme can only be started in the winter semester. In addition to the
application, an aptitude test must be taken. It will take place in June 2025 at Johannes
Gutenberg University in Mainz. All applicants who meet the formal requirements for the
application will be invited in writing to the aptitude test by the School of Journalism.
Downloads
Module Handbook Master Journalism (PDF)
as at 2023, in German- Study plan Master Journalism (PDF)
starting in the winter term 2019/20, in German - Examination regulations Master Journalism (PDF)
as at March 2022, in German - Declaration for written examinations (PDF)
for written assignments, as at 23.01.2025, in German - Declaration for written examinations (PDF)
for the master thesis, as at 23.01.2025, in German
