M.A. Digital Journalism

Special Features:

• Technical focus: digital production tools and communication channels
• Topical focus: culture/entertainment and business/politics
• Didactics: theories and trends of converging digital content procution – practical projects!

Competence goals:

Mastery of the professional standards of digital journalism, cross-media development of print, audio/video, online/social media content

Our course combines the digital convergence of journalistic writing and producing in theory and practice. This is all based on a solid foundation of basic journalistic knowledge, which is developed and deepened in small groups. We teach you cross-media curation and production of digital formats as well as the basics of data research, constructive journalism or multimedia workflow in editorial management. For this purpose, modern digital technology is at your disposal, ranging from 4K cameras to up-to-date AV editing programs and a full-fledged and virtual TV studio.

Our students always have the latest media news at their fingertips. This is ensured by lecturers with practical experience and participation in important industry meetings. In the past, this included working in the newsroom at the re:publica conference in Berlin as well as participating in the Internet Governance Forum in Berlin or the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn. Our students were on site at each event, provided media coverage, made contacts with Internet experts, and held discussions with industry representatives from all over the world.

We offer the consecutive Master's program ‘Digital Journalism’ in Berlin in English and in Cologne in German. (In consultation with the teaching staff, you can also take your exams in German in the English-language programme, if you wish.)

Applicants: Graduates of an undergraduate social science or humanities programme (Bachelor's, Diplom, Magister) with one of the two main focuses:

• journalism, languages, communication, media
• economics, social sciences, or culture related studies

Comprehensive modules: Electives on convergent technological trends, media law, media production, intercultural management skills, media psychology etc.

Subject-specific modules e.g.: journalistic professionalisation in researching, producing, editing, editing, curating, presenting and cross-media and media-convergent publishing

Advanced modules: Theory and practice of specialized journalism with a focus on business & politics and culture & entertainment related topics

The module schedule

The structure and content of the HMKW programs are characterized by the division into interdisciplinary and subject-specific competencies.

All HMKW Master's students can choose from six modules in the areas of fundamentals, technology and human factors, from which a total of three modules are selected.

The subject-specific competencies in the M.A. Digital Journalism program comprise five general modules, one field of specialization, and the Master's colloquium.

In the general modules, basic journalism-related content is taught that is relevant for working as a journalist, regardless of the subject-specific journalism specialization.

Of the two specializations, only one is chosen, in which the respective specialized journalistic content is taught.

The fourth semester is filled with the final master's colloquium and the writing of the master's thesis.

The actual semester schedule is subject to change.

• Very good degree in one of areas mentioned (university or university of applied sciences) 

• plus internal assessment process

Please note: After your matriculation, we offer you a refund of the uni-assist fee in the amount of 75,00 € if you submit the original receipt to HMKW.

Further information

Whether as print, online, radio or television journalists, as content producers or public relation officers in private, public or cultural companies and institutions, as procurers of social media content or community managers: for communication professionals who are well-versed in digital media a wide range of career opportunities open up.

Selected target jobs: Journalists, editors, publicists, communication and media scientists, content curators, community/social media managers, communications directors, media consultants. Traditional journalism is developing into a digital field of work for convergent media content that is played out across a wide variety of channels and platforms. Experts in digital journalism may also find jobs in corporate press offices, public or cultural organizations, PR agencies or corporate media editorial departments.

If you already have 210 ECTS from your undergraduate studies, you may be able to shorten your studies by one semester.

HMKW's Master's program M.A. Digital Journalism is state-approved by the Berlin Senate Administration.

In addition, the program is accredited and certified by the FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation). It thus meets the highest international academic quality standards.