In this program, students prepare to work as professional journalists while developing media skills that are transferrable to other professions. The program nurtures their curiosity and enables them to tell stories across several platforms – text, video, audio, photojournalism and the internet. Students learn within a hands-on environment, where they hone their skills as storytellers by producing a news website, radio shows and TV productions. Adapting to the new realities of journalism, students learn to use social and mobile media both to tell stories and to converse with an audience. Students acquire real-world experience via partnerships between the program and professional news organizations.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
1. Discern newsworthy happenings in their communities and develop them into stories.
2. Tell stories across several platforms – text, video, audio, photography, websites, social media and mobile applications.
3. Perform the writing, research, video, audio and photography skills expected of modern multiplatform journalists.
4. Apply a discipline of verification in seeking and reporting the truth.
5. Provide the context of the news to their audiences.
6. Reflect in their work a deep understanding of the news media, its influence and their own responsibilities as journalists.
7. Reflect in their work a broad understanding of politics, history, economics and current affairs.
8. Apply high ethical standards to their work.
9. Demonstrate a strong understanding of media law in their work.
10. Deliver high-quality journalism on deadline via different platforms within the 24-hour news cycle.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
There are many diverse opportunities for graduate of the Journalism Diploma program. A graduate may choose to become a broadcast journalist or may choose a profession as a freelancer, or a graduate may become gainfully employed while working with various television networks. Online journalism and print media are also options for gainful employment. Further to employment opportunities, graduates may also choose to further their studies towards degree-related opportunities at other post-secondary institutions.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in nine level 3000 credits or equivalent including a minimum of 60% in level 3000 English
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.