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- Technical Requirements
1. What if I already have a laptop?
Great. Just make sure your laptop meets the minimum specifications.
As a student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, you are required to own a variety of essential tools.
In addition to an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, you must purchase a prescribed list of accessories and software and make sure everything is up and running prior to orientation in August. This means you have to set up accounts, install software, and verify everything is working.
Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on what equipment and software you already own, how powerful a laptop you want, and what degree program you choose. If you’re starting from scratch and meeting our minimum requirements, you can expect to pay between $3,000 to $5,000. We include ballpark prices for separate items below. The actual prices you pay will vary depending on the models you choose.
This may sound daunting. But our tech staff is here to help. Please contact us now at newbies@journalism.cuny.edu for recommendations, guidance, and support.
Minimum specifications:
Recommended specifications:
~$600 plus data plan
For shooting high-quality photos and HD video
~$79.99 and up
Purchase a 3/4/5TB external hard drive drive that you’ll use for backups using the Time Machine application on your Mac. Because you will not be carrying this external hard drive every day, it does NOT need to be a solid state drive (SSD). The Information Technology Services and Support team at our school will be available to assist you with setting up Time Machine.
~$169.99 and up
Purchase a 1TB external solid state drive (SSD) that you’ll carry with you every day.
~$60
Allows use of our recording and field equipment
For video and photo editing, graphic design, PDF creation, etc.
You will receive a license to Adobe Creative Cloud from the school for the duration of your enrollment at the school. Look for an email with activation information as we get closer to Orientation.
For recording and mixing audio
You will receive a license to Pro Tools from the school for the duration of your enrollment at the school. Look for an email with instructions for checking out a license as we get closer to Orientation.
$42 with academic discount
An application for capturing and recording audio
Free
Business-grade cybersecurity for real-time protection against viruses, malware, Trojans, worms, bots, potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), ransomware, and more
In your pursuits at the Newmark J-School, you will use video and audio gear from our equipment room – including taking it out into the field. To borrow equipment, you are required to have personal property insurance. We’ve arranged for a simple $200 policy through Haylor that covers you for 18 months. This insurance also protects your laptop and many other personal items, such as your bicycle.
You will need to provide us with a certificate of insurance before you can borrow gear.
Great. Just make sure your laptop meets the minimum specifications.
Our Help Desk is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Contact us at newbies@journalism.cuny.edu if you’ve got questions prior to attending orientation or help@journalism.cuny.edu during the academic year.