1934 marked the starting point in the history of the department. Its formation is directly associated with the establishment of the Kazakh Communist Institute of Journalism, which laid the foundation for systematic journalism education in Kazakhstan. During this period, the core scientific and theoretical principles of journalist training were formed.

At the origins of journalism education stood prominent representatives of Kazakh science, literature, and public thought: Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, statesman; Saken Seifullin (1894–1938), poet, writer, and publicist; Kudaybergen Zhubanov, the first Kazakh professor of linguistics; Sabit Mukanov, writer; Shamgali Sarybayev, linguist; Mitrofan Silchenko (1898–1970), literary scholar; Sarsen Amanzholov, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Belgibai Shalabayev, writer, translator, and educator; Talip Musakulov, Candidate of Biological Sciences; Maulen Balakayev, Doctor of Philology, Professor. These scholars delivered the first lectures in journalism. At the initial stage, priority was given to theoretical foundations, the history of the press, and journalistic genres.

1941–1949 – the department functioned under the name “Theory and Practice of the Bolshevik Press.” Established in 1941, it was the only department where journalism was taught.

1957 – the specialization “History of Journalism” was opened for Kazakh-language students, while a “Journalism Division” was established for Russian-speaking students.

1966 became a significant milestone: the Faculty of Journalism was established as an independent university structure based on the departments of History of Journalism and Journalism. In the same year, the Department of Press was opened, headed by Kairzhan Nurgazhevich Bekkhozhin, Doctor of Philology, Professor, researcher of the history of Kazakh journalism.

1973–1997 – Marat Karibayevich Barmankulov, Professor, founded and developed the Department of Television and Radio Journalism, playing a major role in shaping the national school of electronic media.

1976 – the following departments were established on the basis of Kazakh and Russian journalism departments:
• History of Journalism;
• Television and Radio Journalism;
• Journalistic Skills and Literary Editing;
• Theory and Practice of Soviet Journalism.

In the same year, the Department of Broadcasting and Television was created.

1976–1978 – the department was headed by Tauman Salykbaiyevich Amandosov, scholar and educator.

1978–1992 – the department was led by Marat Karibayevich Barmankulov, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

1976–1986 – the Department of Theory and Practice of Soviet Journalism was headed by Temirbek Kozhakeyevich Kozhakeyev, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

1986–1991 – the department was headed by Pyotr Terentyevich Sopkin, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.

1991–1995 – the Department of Periodical Press was led by Temirbek Kozhakeyevich Kozhakeyev, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

1990–1993 – the department was headed by Sagymbay Kabashevich Kozybayev, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor.

1992–2000 – to improve the educational process, the Department of Television and Radio Journalism was divided into two independent units:
• Television Journalism (Head – Marat Karibayevich Barmankulov, Doctor of Philology);
• Radio Journalism (Head – Namazaly Omashuly Omashev, Doctor of Philology).

1994–2001 – the department was headed by Namazaly Omashuly Omashev, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

1994–2000 – the department was headed by Timurgali Muratbekovich Kopbayev, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.

1995–2001 – the department was led by Baurzhan Omirzhanuly Zhakyp, Doctor of Philology, Professor, poet and publicist.

2000–2001 – the Department of Television Journalism was headed by Sharvan Iskakovna Nurgozhina, Doctor of Philology, Professor; the Department of Radio Journalism was headed by Rakhima Sharipovna Begimtayeva (Nuriden R.Sh.), Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.

2001 – the departments were renamed as Departments of Television and Radio Journalism.

2001–2010 – the Department of Television and Radio Journalism was headed by Ayazbi Akhbergenovich Beisenkulov, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.

2001–2008 – the Department of Periodical Press was headed by Toregeldi Bekniyazuly Bekniyazov, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.

2009–2010 – the department was headed by Sharvan Iskakovna Nurgozhina, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

2010 – the department was renamed “Print and Internet Journalism.” In the same year, Gulmira Serikbayevna Sultanbayeva, Doctor of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, became Head of the Department of Television and Radio Journalism.

2011 – the Department of Print and Electronic Media was established on the basis of the departments of Periodical Press, Television and Radio Journalism, and History of Kazakhstani Journalism.

2011–2013 – the first head of the department was Kudaybergen Zhumakhanuly Tursyn, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

2013–2024 – the department was headed by Gulmira Serikbayevna Sultanbayeva, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor.

From 2024 to the present – the department is headed by Aigerim Bolatkhanovna Alzhanova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.