Although blogging has become increasingly popular, the field of journalism still attracts students eager to write and edit stories for newspapers, websites and magazines. There are a number of accredited four-year institutions that confer bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism, but if you don't have the resources to attend a university, you can earn a certificate in sports journalism, journalism, photo journalism and digital journalism.
Certificate In Sports Journalism
Webster University in St. Louis' School of Communications has created a 19-credit hour certificate program in sports journalism that educates students in the basics of sports broadcasting and sports reporting. Required classes for this program are introductory level media production, fundamentals of reporting, broadcast delivery and interpretation, sports broadcasting, newspaper production workshop and sports reporting. All classes must be taken at the university, and upon completion of the program students will be awarded a certificate. (See Reference 1 and Resource 1.)
Certificate In Journalism
New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies department offers a certificate in journalism that requires completion of four core courses and either one 10-session elective or two 5-session electives. The required classes are news reporting, interviewing, legal and ethical issues in journalism and feature writing. Students can choose their electives from classes such as cultural criticism, science and health writing, writing opinion columns and editorials, television journalism for the digital age and entertainment blogging. (See Reference 2 and Resource 2.)
Certificate In Photojournalism
A certificate in photojournalism teaches students the basics of using photography to tell narrative stories, and provides a historical context for how pictures have been used to capture great moments and events in the past. College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., has established a 30-unit, two-year certificate of photojournalism program that gives students the skills necessary for entry-level jobs as sports photographers, photo editors and photo illustrators. Subjects covered include digital camera control, digital imaging, photo composition and portfolio development. (See Reference 3 and Resource 3.)
Certificate In Digital Journalism
A certificate in digital journalism provides education for students interested in writing, editing or creating content for websites and blogs. This training is intended to produce students who are able to work in a variety of multimedia outlets other than traditional newspapers and magazines. Mediabistro, an online community for media professionals, has developed a distance-learning, digital journalism certificate program that requires four core courses, one self-paced course and one elective within a year. Students who complete the program will be awarded a letter of completion and a certificate. The required classes include introduction to social media, introduction to multimedia journalism and writing and editing for the Web. Electives can be chosen from classes in advanced social media, blogging and understanding Google analytics. The program also includes 12-month access to a six-session self-paced course in new media and how-to videos on new media and career options. (See Reference 4 and Resource 4.)
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