The origin of the Department of Communication and Journalism can be traced to an endowment of Rs.10,000/— made by Shri. K. A. Kolhatkar and accepted by the University of Pune in 1956 for instituting the "Sandeshkar Kolhatkar Scho1arship" for Marathi Journalism. A two-year, part—time diploma course in Journalism was inducted on 5th February 1964. The course was divided into junior and senior year of study, requiring the students to appear for five papers (carrying 100 marks each) at the end of each year. The classes were held in the evening. ’

The course was made a one-year full-time degree course from July 1973. The department became a full-fledged regular department of the University in 1976. Following the international and national trend, nomenclature of the Department was changed in 1983 from "Department of J oumalism" to "Department of Communication and J ournalism". The name of the degree awarded was also changed from B.J. to B.C.J.

A short-term part—time certificate course was instituted in 1979 in co- operation with the Pune Shramik Patrakar Sangh. It was upgraded to a Diploma in Journalism (Marathi Medium) course in 1986. The department has introduced a part time post graduate Diploma in Joumalism with English as medium of instruction from academic year 2003-04. Detailed information -about these Diploma courses is available in separate booklets.

One-year Master of Communication and Journalism (MCJ) was introduced from the academic year 1993-94. ’