Top 10 Mass Communication Courses for Students
Kickstart your media career with these 10 mass communication courses online. From journalism basics to PR and broadcasting courses, learn from home and gain skills that open doors to exciting opportunities in media.
Want to start your career in journalism, PR, or broadcasting but don't know where to begin? You're not alone - many students feel confused about which mass communication course online to choose first. Luckily, there are some terrific courses available free of charge or at a very low price, with everything from learning how to write a simple news item to advanced investigative journalism. Online learning lets you learn at home at your own pace, and many give you certificates, too. Whether your goal is to become a news reporter or enter public relations. Or try broadcasting courses, there's something for every aimed outcome.
Top 10 Online Mass Communication / Journalism Courses
For students aspiring to study mass communication, here are the top 10 courses available on different platforms, along with their duration, fees, and certificate details.
S.no. | Course Name | Platform | Cost | Duration | Certificate |
1 | Fundamentals of Journalism | NBCU Academy | Free | ~3 hours, self-paced | Free certificate |
2 | Effective Communication Skills | Great Learning Academy | Free | ~3 hours, self-paced | Free certificate |
3 | English for Journalists, Part 1 | edX (UC Berkeley) | Free to audit | ~5 weeks, 3–4 hrs/week | Paid certificate |
4 | Journalism for Social Change | edX (UC Berkeley) | Free to audit | ~4 weeks, 2–4 hrs/week | Paid certificate |
5 | Global Muckraking: Investigative Journalism & Global Media | edX (Columbia University) | Free to audit | ~5–6 weeks, 3–4 hrs/week | Paid certificate |
6 | International Standards on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists | edX (Oxford University) | Free to audit | ~7 weeks, 1–3 hrs/week | Paid certificate |
7 | Certificate Course in Journalism | Udemy | Paid (~₹1,200–1,600 during sale) | ~1.5 hours | Paid certificate |
8 | Feature Journalism Professional Certificate | edX (University of Cape Town) | Free to audit (program paid) | Several weeks | Paid certificate |
9 | Creative Arts & Media Online Courses | FutureLearn | Free to audit | 2–6 weeks, 3–5 hrs/week | Paid certificate |
10 | Certificate in Mass Communication | Canadian Institute of Mass Communication (CIMC) | Paid (~$250 USD) | Self-paced | Paid certificate |
Now that we have looked broadly into the overview, let's understand these courses in detail with regard to what they contain, what they offer, and what you gain after completion of these mass communication courses.
1. NBCU’s Fundamentals of Journalism
Detail | Information |
Platform | NBCU Academy |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | Around 3 hours, self-paced |
Where Available | Online globally through NBCU Academy’s portal |
What It Covers | Basics of journalism, news writing, ethics, interviewing, introduction to broadcasting courses and PR awareness |
Outcome | Understanding of how newsrooms work, ability to write and present simple reports, awareness of PR and broadcasting fields |
2. Effective Communication Skills available on Great Learning Academy
Detail | Information |
Platform | Great Learning Academy |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | About 3 hours, self-paced |
Where Available | Online through Great Learning Academy’s platform |
What It Covers | Foundations of effective communication, writing with clarity, body language, professional interactions, and basics useful for PR courses |
Outcome | Stronger ability to express ideas clearly, improved speaking and writing skills, better preparation for roles in mass communication, PR, and broadcasting courses |
3. English for Journalists, Part 1 on edX
Detail | Information |
Platform | edX (University of California, Berkeley) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | About 5 weeks, 3–4 hours per week |
Where Available | Online on the edX platform |
What It Covers | News vocabulary, grammar for journalism, writing news articles, using English effectively in media and PR contexts |
Outcome | Improved English skills for reporting, writing, and broadcasting; stronger command over language for those aiming to study further PR courses or broadcasting courses |
4. edX’s Journalism for Social Change Course
Detail | Information |
Platform | edX (University of California, Berkeley) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | About 4 weeks, 2–4 hours per week |
Where Available | Online on the edX platform |
What It Covers | Role of journalism in shaping society, how reporting can highlight social issues, links between journalism, PR courses, and advocacy |
Outcome | Ability to use journalism as a tool for awareness and change, stronger understanding of how media connects with PR and broadcasting to influence public opinion |
5. Global Muckraking – Investigative Journalism & Global Media (edX)
Detail | Information |
Platform | edX (Columbia University) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | About 5–6 weeks, 3–4 hours per week |
Where Available | Online on the edX platform |
What It Covers | History and practice of investigative journalism, global case studies, techniques for uncovering hidden stories, links to broadcasting courses |
Outcome | Ability to think critically about media, improved skills for deep reporting, awareness of how investigative journalism supports PR and broadcasting strategies |
6. International Standards on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists available on edX
Detail | Information |
Platform | edX (Oxford University) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | About 7 weeks, 1–3 hours per week |
Where Available | Online on the edX platform |
What It Covers | Media law, rights of journalists, freedom of expression, safety issues in reporting, ethics relevant to PR courses and broadcasting courses |
Outcome | Understanding of legal frameworks, ability to report responsibly, awareness of ethical standards in journalism and broadcasting |
7. Certificate Course in Journalism – Udemy
Detail | Information |
Platform | Udemy |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | Around 1.5 hours of core lessons (self-paced) |
Where Available | Online on Udemy platform |
What It Covers | Basics of journalism, difference between mass communication and journalism, storytelling, short intro to PR and broadcasting courses |
Outcome | Quick introduction to journalism, simple skills in writing and reporting, awareness of broader fields like PR and broadcasting within media |
8. edX’s Feature Journalism Professional Certificate Course
Detail | Information |
Platform | edX (University of Cape Town) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | Several weeks, depending on the learner’s pace |
Where Available | Online on the edX platform |
What It Covers | Writing feature stories, interviewing techniques, narrative building, connecting journalism with broadcasting courses and PR storytelling |
Outcome | Skills in long-form reporting, ability to write human-interest pieces, better preparation for media, PR, and broadcasting careers |
9. Creative Arts & Media Online Courses on FutureLearn
Detail | Information |
Platform | FutureLearn |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | Usually 2–6 weeks, 3–5 hours per week |
Where Available | Online on the FutureLearn platform |
What It Covers | Wide variety of subjects including film, photography, digital media, broadcasting courses, and creative communication |
Outcome | Exposure to multiple aspects of media and arts, practical skills in content creation, and preparation for PR and broadcasting industries |
10. Certificate in Mass Communication provided by CIMC
Detail | Information |
Platform | Canadian Institute of Mass Communication (CIMC) |
Type | Mass communication course online |
Duration | Self-paced, usually a few months depending on the learner |
Where Available | Online through CIMC’s learning portal |
What It Covers | Broad overview of mass communication, journalism, PR courses, broadcasting courses, and media management |
Outcome | Comprehensive understanding of mass communication, readiness for careers in PR, journalism, and broadcasting fields |
Your journey into mass communication starts with taking that first step and enrolling in any of these courses. If it is your first time, perhaps start with the free ones to see which field attracts you the most-journalism, PR, or broadcasting. Remember, every media mogul you admire started where you are right now; so, choose a course today and begin your own trip down the road of a dream career in mass communication!