B.A in Convergent Journalism is an undergraduate programme in the discipline of Mass Communication. This is a specialised course for a specific job which is to provide an understanding of how news stories are curated for different sources. the course deals with different requirements of news editors, producers, editors, writers as they have different approaches and requirements from the story. The convergent journalist helps in modifying the story so that it becomes compatible with the different forms of the media it might be web, print, or broadcast or shorts in different news apps.
The course normally is a three-year degree programme with most universities opting out for the six-semester model. It is a highly job oriented course and the focus of the syllabus is more on practical understanding rather than theoretical knowledge. Some institutes though offer certificate programmes on a part-time basis but most institutes of repute provide a full time regular three-year degree programme.
Eligibility Criteria of BA Convergent Journalism
The eligibility criteria of the programme depend on the individual criteria set by the college and university where the course is being offered but there are some basic common criteria applicable for all colleges.
- The Candidates should have completed their 10+2 Education in any stream ( science, commerce, arts) students from any stream can join this programme.
- The Marks for eligibility differs from college to college but the minimum criteria for most colleges would be in the range of 50% to 60%
- In several colleges, candidates need to apply for entrance exams in order to qualify for the course so individual colleges have different exam qualification requirements
Career Options after BA Convergent Journalism
The advantage of pursuing a specialised degree is the job security often present after completion of the course, with the rise of different forms and modes of media the demand of convergent journalism continues to grow. The institutes hiring convergent journalists are
- Academic and Research Institutes
- Corporate Communications Agencies
- Advertising & Social Media Marketing Companies
- News Houses
The popular job roles offered to Convergent Journalism graduates are as follows
- Assistant & Associate Editor
- Content Writer
- Content Developer
- Instructional Designer Consultant
- Communication Executive
- Junior Proof Reader
- Content Writer Executive
- Social Media Manager
- Proposal Manager
- Trainee Executive
- Research/Writing Assistant