The Wits Centre for Journalism offers several study programmes for aspirant and working journalists. Located in Johannesburg – at the heart of the country’s media – it is well placed to work closely with both the industry and working professionals to ensure a rich and exciting centre of teaching, training, research and public engagement. The department is steeped in a tradition of independent, critical, quality journalism, and courses are taught by journalists with many years of experience and seniority in the profession, including Prof Lesley Cowling, Dr Dinesh Balliah, Dr Nechama Brodie, Kevin Davie, Catherine Muller, Charles Leonard and more.

A special visiting lecturer programme brings some of the country’s most prominent professionals to interact with students. This has included Tim Modise, John Perlman, Mark Gevisser, Ferial Haffajee, Justice Malala, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Harald Pakendorf, Raymond Louw, Phillip Altbeker, Liz McGregor, Dario Milo, Phylicia Oppelt and Tim Cohen.

 

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

We offer two streams: one for career-entry students, and one for mid-career journalists.

A career-entry route for graduates who want to become journalists: Students will find the course a rich mix of practical and academic training, designed to give them both the skills they need to operate in a newsroom.

A mid-career route for working journalists who wish to develop their skills and knowledge: Mid-career journalists will find opportunities to upgrade their skills, and branch into new areas. 

A Masters option with specialisations in financial, investigative journalism, radio, writing, development journalism and media and politics. Limited places are available for PhD candidates.

A number of certificate courses in areas such as media law and ethics and online journalism, as well as specialisations such as financial and investigative journalism.

The Development Communication programme, pitched at Honours NQF level 8, investigates new ways for interacting with journalists, as well as utilising social media, speeches and publications to directly involve people in development initiatives.

For information on financial aid that may be available to students studying at the Wits Centre for Journalism, visit the funding opportunities page.

 

2025 registration INFORMATION AND LINKS:

 

 

Click here for the detailed list of WCJ courses. Please note that not all courses may be offered in 2024.