The Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkley is considering a new, professional fee for its program.

The School is considering charging its new students an additional $5,000 over and above their tuition, similar to those charged by other professional programs in law, business and medicine.

In a letter to incoming students, the dean, Neil Henry, says the fee is necessary to offset university budget cuts.

“We are proposing this because budget cuts to the University of California have hurt our ability to provide the best program possible and keep pace with technological advances that are transforming our craft and industry.”