Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications

MA in Digital Media, Communication and Journalism

The creation of an English language Master’s program in the areas of Journalism and Communications, is the first of its kind among Greek public Universities. Based on the School’s 25 year-long success in promoting learning through theory-building, cutting edge technical skills and professional training the program reflects the School’s steadfast commitment to innovation, excellence, interdisciplinary education and international outlook. What makes our Master’s program relevant is the consistent integration of the students' study, skills and projects to the real world.

Combining practice based learning with interdisciplinary theory and research the MA in Digital Media, Communication and Journalism is addressed to aspiring media practitioners and researchers as well as to already employed professionals who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills in response to the changes in their work environments.

The MA offers three pathways, each of which is designed to respond to a vital area of contemporary concern and application for researchers and professionals in the fields of communication and journalism.

1) Digital Media, Culture and Communication: focus is set on the new nexus between media, culture and society forged in the digital age. Specifically, it addresses the impact and implications of the digital transformation, with particular emphasis to the fields of media/cultural industries, connective media and civil society. The courses offered in the first pathway are: New Media, Theories and Perspectives, Digital Tools in New Media, Media Management and Marketing Communications, Television & Digital Cultures, Network Society: Theories & Practices, Digital Media and Storytelling in Travel and Tourism, Digital audiovisual content production and publishing, Digital media authoring: Non-linear and interactive storytelling.

2) European Journalism: focus is set on the role of news media and journalism in the emergence of a European public sphere. Combining a cross-national comparative approach to European journalistic and news cultures with a hands on coverage of current European issues, the pathway explores the complexities and challenges regarding the reporting on Europe and the European Union. The courses offered in the second pathway are: Concepts and aspects of European Journalism, Structures and changes of the European Public Sphere, European Journalistic Cultures, Web Journalism, Data Journalism, Research Seminar: Reporting Europe, Media and Diversity in Europe.

3) Risk Communication and Crisis Journalism: focus is set on the ways media and public, private or non governmental organizations communicate about present, emerging, and evolving risks. Combining the methodical engagement with the rich theoretical and case study research literature with a hands on coverage of current crises and emergencies, the pathway explores the best practices in dealing with the issues of peace and war, environment, science and public health. The courses offered in the third pathway are: Risk Communication, Peace Journalism, Reporting War and Crises, Environmental Journalism, Science Journalism, Mass Communication and Public Health, Public Communication Campaign Design and Analysis.

During the two course semesters, fall and spring, students need to successfully complete a total of 6 courses: the pathway obligatory course offered in the first semester and five (5) electives, from which at least three (3) have to be from the pathway of their selection and up to two (2) from any other pathway.

The curriculum also includes: two optional English Language courses, which are open to all students who wish to develop their language skills in the fields of journalism, media and communication and who need to improve their academic English to a high standard, a compulsory Dissertation Research and Writing Skills course offered in the second semester, designed to help students develop the skills necessary to produce high quality work in term-papers and the end-of-year dissertation and an elective methodology course, which is included in all three pathways, and is strongly recommended to all students who do not have any previous experience in contacting a research.

During the third semester students can dedicate themselves to the research and writing of their Thesis, which has to be no more than 20.000 words. A “Dissertation proposal form”, has to be submitted before the end of the second semester on a topic related to the subject areas covered by the preferred pathway and address it to one of the program instructors. The proposals must be approved by the Board Committee, which will also make the final decision for appointing a supervisor. Following the approval of their Thesis, a three member committee will be assigned for assisting the student with the research and editing of the final Thesis.

An extension is also possible from February to May without any additional costs. Any extra delay will be charged with tuition fees equal to 1,000 euros. A graduation ceremony is also scheduled twice every year on March and July. Graduates have no indispensable obligation to participate in order to be awarded their Degree.


About The School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece. The main campus is located in the centre of the city of Thessaloniki, and covers an area of about 33.4 hectares. It comprises 7 faculties which consist of 33 schools, 5 faculties which consist of one school each, as well as 4 independent schools.

The School of Journalism & Mass Communications was established in 1991. It is housed in a six-storey neoclassical building, in the centre of the city. The School offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes. The School’s current student population includes almost 700 undergraduates, 64 postgraduates and 57 Phd candidates. In addition, every year the School receives an average of 15 Erasmus students while, at the same time, it trains scores of mid-career professionals through a wide range of specially designed Lifelong Learning Programs. The students actively participate in internship programmes in Greece and abroad which qualifies them for employment in journalism and mass communications both in the public and private sectors.

The School encourages the co-operation of students with local and national media, by producing radio and television programmes aired during prime time. The facilities of the School include the library, as well as the media informatics and the electronic media laboratories.

The School cooperates, through the LLP/ Erasmus programme, with 42 Universities in 20 countries in the European Union, thus contributing to the overall European student and teaching staff exchange and it is one of the very few Schools at Aristotle University which offers a full international Erasmus programme in English for a complete semester.