Frequently Asked Questions

If you have an international transcript from any other country besides Canada, your international transcript must be evaluated by a professional agency from the member list on the NACES website. Evaluations must include a course-by-course analysis indicating the type of degree received, accreditation, the U.S. equivalency of the degree, the graduation date, and a cumulative grade point average. The course evaluation must show that you received a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States from an accredited institution. All academic credentials must be verified. 

While we don’t recommend one organization over another, the most common evaluations that we see are from World Education Services (WES), SpanTran Evaluation Services and Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). If you decide to use SpanTran, please refer to the Newmark J-School SpanTran Pathway to ensure you receive a discount and correct evaluation.

The international credential evaluation must be received by the application deadline date and indicate that you received a degree from an accredited institution equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Evaluations may take weeks or months to complete. It is strongly recommended to begin the process early to ensure your application is completed on time. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants who have not studied and earned a degree in the US, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand or Australia are required to take an English-proficiency test. Below is a list of tests we accept and minimum score requirements:

Duolingo English Test = 125

IELTS = 7.5

PTE Academic = 73

TOEFL (iBT) = 105

Please note: An English-proficiency test is also required for students from Puerto Rico and for students from non-English territories in Canada, unless the language of instruction was English only.

There is no minimum undergraduate GPA. Our application review process is holistic and all parts of the application receive consideration. We encourage you to tell us about yourself and your interest in our program in your statement of purpose and optional admissions interview.

Journalism experience or specific coursework is not required for admission. We have a range of students who are career changers, recent graduates and working journalists. 

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from a CUNY college (or receive this degree prior to enrolling in the fall). We look for applicants who have a broad liberal arts background, and have demonstrated a commitment to the field, a passion for current events and a strong sense of curiosity.

Admission decision letters will be emailed starting mid-March for students who completed their application by the priority deadline (January 15, 2023).

Yes, our M.A. programs are STEM-designated. Eligible international graduates in F-1 status may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.

Yes. Application fee waivers are available for the following populations:

• U.S. Armed Services veterans
• McNair Scholars
• Students and alumni from: 
  1. City University of New York (CUNY)
  2. State University of New York (SUNY)
  3. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  4. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)

Yes. You can apply to more than one program on the same application with one application fee/waiver.

Yes. You will be required to use a different email address for your new application. Please select “yes” to the question that asks “are you a re-applicant”.

Yes. The CUNY/Nelnet payment plan is an easy, convenient and low-cost option. Enrolling in the payment plan has many benefits:

• Instead of paying each semester’s bill all at once, the Nelnet payment plan allows you to stretch payments over a period of months.
• You can establish your payment plan based upon your anticipated tuition and fee costs and your anticipated financial aid (grants, scholarships, federal and state aid, etc.).
• The earlier you enroll, the lower your monthly payments will be, since the total amount financed will be divided over more scheduled payments.
• Your class seat is saved.
• Nelnet accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Amex. You may also pay with your checking account or ACH online.
• This is an interest-free payment plan, not a loan.

You may refer to the Graduate Center’s Tuition and Fees page to learn more about the Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan.

Determination for New York State Residency is based on the information provided on your application. In general, to qualify for the resident tuition rate at a senior college based on residence in the State of New York, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or in a qualifying immigration status; AND
• Have continuously maintained his/her principal place of abode in the State of New York for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes; AND
• Have a bona fide intention of living in New York permanently

You may learn more about the New York State residency requirements by referring to CUNY’s Tuition and Fee Manual.

Students may complete their degree in as little as three semesters (16 months). Students interested in completing their degree over a longer period of time, should consider the flexible credit options. You may learn more about the flex options by referring to the Academic Programs and selecting the program you are interested in.

Yes. Students may transfer up to 15 credits, with potential consideration for exceptions. Only graduate-level classes with a “B” grade or better (or “P” in a Pass/Fail course) will be considered (undergraduate courses do not qualify). Students considering transferring credits must go through the application process outlined in the How to Apply page. 

Applicants will be required to submit course syllabi for review. Department directors will review relevant syllabi to determine if they overlap with J-School courses. Courses that do not match J-School courses may still be eligible for consideration by the Associate Dean as elective courses.

Some students may decide they’d like to take a class as a non-matriculated student before applying to the J-School. You should contact studentaffairs@journalism.cuny.edu to learn which classes may be open to students who are not enrolled in the master’s program.

The application must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which you are taking the class. You are not guaranteed a spot while you are going through the application process.

Please review the latest tuition costs and registration fees information.

We do not offer on-campus housing at the J-School. However, other CUNY colleges and organizations offer off-campus housing opportunities to our students, including: 

CUNY City College Towers

A number of rooms are reserved for our students at the CUNY City College Towers dormitory. For more information, please contact Chris Clarke via email at cclarke@capstonemail.com or (917) 507-0055.

CUNY Graduate Center

The CUNY Graduate Center offers housing to students. For additional information on available apartments, visit the Graduate Center’s Housing page for more information. You may also email the Graduate Center Housing Office with questions at gchousing@gc.cuny.edu or (212) 817-7605.

Educational Housing Services (EHS)

Educational Housing Services (EHS) manages several dormitory-style housing facilities in New York City. Full-time college students studying at a school in NYC, or a college student coming to NYC for an internship as part of their studies often choose to live in one of their residences. EHS has more than 25 years of experience offering safe, high-end dormitory-style housing in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. They offer housing on a semester-based system only.

International House

The International House is designed like a family home, albeit a large family, the historic building offers both private and shared space.  Residents enjoy many spaces to study, socialize, eat, dance, learn about fellow Residents, and get involved in community life.  The most rewarding experiences at International House occur in these shared spaces. Graduate students and young professionals from institutions across New York City reside in our affordable housing facilities. See inside International House with our virtual tour.

Newmark J-School Housing Facebook Group

This Facebook group is open to the Newmark J-School community, including future, current and former CUNY students. Students post here if they are searching for an apartment, need to sublet or rent out their apartment. Students will be given access to this page after being admitted to the J-School.

You may join our email list to receive information regarding our programs, contact admissions@journalism.cuny.edu to schedule a one-on-one appointment with an admissions representative and/or refer to our Events and Information Sessions page to attend an upcoming information session.