Key facts
- Trump administration visa policies contributed to a sharp drop in international applications to Columbia University.
- The visa policy changes led to Columbia University pausing admissions to its Master of Arts journalism program.
- Dean Jelani Cobb cited visa dynamics as a factor in the admissions pause.
- International students typically make up about half of the M.A. program's enrollment.
- A US federal judge blocked a rule that sought to limit how long foreign students and journalists could stay in the US.
The Trump administration's evolving visa policies have impacted international applications to Columbia University, contributing to the decision to pause admissions for its Master of Arts journalism program, according to four individuals familiar with the matter. The pause, which has not been previously reported, is intended to allow for a critical evaluation of the program, created in 2005.
Dean Jelani Cobb stated that visa dynamics were among the considerations for the pause, alongside the need to adapt the program to the current journalism landscape. International students typically constitute about half of the M.A. program's enrollment. The university was also previously targeted by the administration over pro-Palestinian campus protests.
A federal judge recently blocked a rule that aimed to shorten the duration foreign students and journalists could remain in the US without extensions, citing its weak rationale. Uncertainty over US visa policies has deterred prospective international students, with one Indian journalist, Kaushik Raj, reportedly denied a US student visa for the separate M.S. in Data Journalism program due to insufficient ties to his home country.
The M.A. program, designed for mid-career journalists, is smaller than the M.S. program and is not experiencing a pause. Changes to the M.A. curriculum for the 2024-25 academic year include combining science and politics seminars. The school also announced a new two-year, part-time online M.S. program, which Dean Cobb indicated was unrelated to the M.A. pause.