The University of California, Berkeley’s Journalism program has an acceptance rate of 16.82%, making it a highly competitive program to get into. With this low acceptance rate, prospective students will need to meet rigorous admission requirements in order to secure a spot in the program.

In order to be competitive for admission into UC Berkeley’s Journalism program, applicants should aim for a high GPA of 3.9 or above. It is essential to excel in all coursework and demonstrate academic excellence by taking challenging courses such as AP or IB classes. Additionally, a strong SAT score of at least 1300 is recommended to increase chances of acceptance.

The admission process at UC Berkeley involves submitting an online application, official transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Applicants must also demonstrate a passion for journalism through their extracurricular activities and work experience. Meeting the academic requirements and showcasing a strong interest in the field of journalism will increase your chances of being accepted into UC Berkeley’s Journalism program.

Acceptance Rate	GPA Requirement	SAT Score Requirement
16.82%	3.9	1300

UC Berkeley Journalism Acceptance Rate

University of California–Berkeley is the most selective university in the University of California system, with an acceptance rate of 18%. Half the applicants admitted to University of California–Berkeley have an SAT score between 1290 and 1530 or an ACT score of 27 and 35. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

The application deadline is Nov. 30 and the application fee at University of California–Berkeley is $70.

Selectivity

Most selective

Fall 2020 acceptance rate

18%

Application deadline

Nov. 30

SAT/ACT scores must be received by

N/A

uC berkeley journalism undergraduate

Undergraduate Minor In Journalism

“Why Minor in Journalism If I Don’t Plan To Be a Journalist?”

Berkeley’s Summer Minor in Journalism

The digital age demands that you be able to communicate across a variety of media platforms. Berkeley’s summer minor in journalism will prepare you for a future where communication skills will be vital to any endeavor. This is a hands-on curriculum that gives students real world experience. Instruction focuses on core techniques of reporting and writing, specialized reporting skills, video, still photography, audio, social media, and the creation of online multimedia packages that will enable you to attract and engage an audience in your work.

For UC Berkeley Students

Journalism Minor

The Minor in Journalism consists of five courses: two required and three electives. Once the required courses are completed any three electives will satisfy the minor. Courses providing credit for the minor are now available year-round. Students may enroll during the fall and spring semesters, during summer sessions, or blending both. Summer sessions will continue to provide students with an option to finish all five courses in a single summer. All students declaring the minor must do so in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Programs at the Graduate School of Journalism.

For non-UC Berkeley Students

Journalism Certificate

The Certificate in Journalism consists of five courses: two required and three electives. Once the required courses are completed any three electives will satisfy the certificate. Summer Sessions provides students with the option to finish all five courses toward the certificate in a single summer if they choose, or multiple summers. (Non UCB students are not eligible for regular term classes.) All students declaring the certificate must do so in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Programs at the Graduate School of Journalism.

New Programs

Year-Round Minor

Undergraduate journalism is now available year-round.

Once summer-only, undergraduate journalism is now offering fall and spring courses for credit toward the Journalism minor. Students may choose to study digital journalism during fall and spring semesters only, during summer sessions only, or by a mix of both. Summer Sessions’ back-to-back 6-week sessions remain unchanged and will continue to provide students with an option to finish all five minor courses in a single summer if they choose. Fall and spring offerings start with J100 in fall 2021, followed by J110 in spring 2022, and the addition of one new elective course each semester after that.

Required Courses

REQUIRED CORE COURSE

J100 Introduction to News Writing

This is an intensive introduction to basic principles and practices, introducing students to the fundamentals of what it means to be a journalist. Students will learn classic forms of expository writing, study contemporary practices, meet professional practitioners and newsmakers, and be introduced to the ethics of gathering and relating information.

REQUIRED CORE COURSE

J110 Introduction to Multimedia

Competence in the use of new media tools is essential for any communicator in the 21st century. This intensive introductory course is designed to teach foundational skills for students who have little or no experience creating multimedia news packages. The first half of the course will consist of lectures, guest-speakers and seminar-style discussions. The second half will be a hands-on introduction to how to use video, photography, data and other elements to create effective visual and multimedia stories. Students will be taught how to use smartphones as their primary tool.

Elective Courses

ELECTIVE COURSE

J111 Social Media

Social media has entered a new age of relevance, making it of critical interest to journalists and communicators of all kinds. This course will help students better understand and use social media by focusing on how social networks, conversational media, and associated digital media tools and platforms can be used to develop new sources, converse with end users, identify new ideas and emerging trends, aggregate and curate the work of others, and promote their own work.

ELECTIVE COURSE

J115 Advanced Multimedia

This advanced course provides hands-on instruction in digital storytelling techniques, lessons on capturing multimedia, and how to build websites. Curriculum begins with considering how to choose which media forms-video, audio, photo, graphics or text-are best for a particular story or story segments. This is followed by lessons on capturing video, photo, and audio, and in working with live subjects. Equipment for this class will consist primarily of student- owned smartphones.

ELECTIVE COURSE

J120 Investigative Reporting

This is an introduction to the basic tools and techniques of investigative reporting-how to identify sources, obtain and use public records, and craft inquiries that go behind the curtain of political, civic, corporate, and institutional life. The course is also an opportunity to gain practical experience working collaboratively on in-depth projects. By the end of this course students will be able to apply investigative techniques to routine reporting as well as produce longer expositions.

ELECTIVE COURSE

J122 The Future of Visual Storytelling

360 degree video, Virtual Reality, drones and mobile. The future of video journalism is here and presents journalists with powerful new options in crafting stories. This course explores digital narratives as they are designed, produced, and consumed in various electronic and “virtual”” formats. The course will lay the foundation for understanding new trans-media environments and explore best practices for creating non-fiction narratives on emerging platforms.