Typically, online journalism certificate
programs are available at the undergraduate level as professional
certificates in journalism or online journalism. Online diplomas in
journalism are not available in the United States, though they are
offered by institutions located in Africa, Asia and Europe. Students
study various writing styles, types of journalism and digital media or
photography.
Online Journalism Certificate Program Overview
Online journalism programs provide students the opportunity to write.
Students create and submit short stories, articles and travel
experiences to gain practical experience using specific writing
techniques, such as creating a lead and building upon the information.
Some certificate programs provide business-related information for
students who plan to go into
advertising
or copywriting. Students explore writing opportunities in print and Web
journalism, often incorporating film techniques, photography and
animation principles into their studies.
Though no online diploma programs in journalism are available in the
United States, an online certificate program in journalism can be
completed in less than a year of full-time study. While some schools
offer the online certificate program only during certain times of the
year, such as during the summer, most of the online courses can be taken
any time, as the students are available. All of the courses are
available completely online.
To complete the program, students must have access to a computer and
broadband internet access. Students complete assignments and turn them
in virtually.
Common Courses in Journalism
Courses in journalism present students with information and techniques to become successful writers or
journalists. Common courses include different writing styles and ways to get published.
News Reporting Course
Students learn what makes an issue or event newsworthy. They also
learn specific set-ups for newspaper writing, starting with the lede and
incorporating quotes obtained from interviews. Other journalism
research techniques are also discussed.
Travel Writing Course
A travel writing course in an online journalism certificate program
covers the main styles of travel stories and how travel writing differs
from being a tourist. Students study resources for completing research
before a trip. They also write pieces and gain insights into ways to
market their work, including using photos.
Business Journalism Course
Students look at well-known business magazines like
The Wall Street Journal
to learn the basics of writing business and financial news. They learn
techniques for gathering research, fact-checking and interviewing
sources for business articles. They also study trends in business.
Ethics in Journalism Course
When can a journalist publish an unfounded story or break the law for
a byline? What exactly is an invasion of privacy? An ethics in
journalism course examines the legal aspects of journalism, what
journalists need to prove to tell a story and when they need more
information. Students learn what readers really need to know and what
they don't.
Magazine Writing Course
Students examine the differences between writing for magazines and
writing for newspapers. They also study the differences between writing
for online and print publications and techniques for infusing an article
with pictures and videos. Students become familiar with the
magazine-writing process, from pitching story ideas to writing and
submitting an article.
An online certificate in journalism could be useful to someone who
wants a career as a writer, editor or author. According to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, (
www.bls.gov), most writing and
editing jobs require that applicants have at least a bachelor's degree,
and that the best way to build a writing career is by gaining a
reputation through published pieces. Certificates that require that
students publish work as part of the program could be useful.
Additionally, most colleges allow credits acquired through a certificate
program to go toward a bachelor's degree, so students can continue
their education. Internships are also available.
Students with an online certificate in journalism have dozens of
options for continuing journalism studies online. Advanced studies in
journalism can include pursuing a bachelor's degree and, later, graduate
certificates and master's degrees in journalism or writing, many of
which can be completed online. Journalism certificate program graduates
may also complete a degree in another subject, such as business, to
specialize in a type of reporting.
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