Curriculum


From the UMass website:

http://www.umassulearn.net/programs/certificate/journalism


COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Department of Communication


Certificate of Journalism (offered Online)

Online news and information sites are transforming the field of journalism. Get the skills you need to break into this up-and-coming field through our innovative, award-winning Certificate in Journalism. Named a Program of Excellence by the national University Continuing Education Association — the most prestigious award in the field of distance learning — this exclusively online program lets you study with professors and professional journalists at the top of their field, many of whom offer specialized coursework not available through on-campus programs. Whether your background is in journalism or a completely different field, you’ll complete this five-course program prepared to work in travel writing, sports writing, photojournalism, science writing, arts criticism, citizen journalism, and a host of other dynamic fields.

Program Details


Admission: Open to students from all disciplines. No application necessary. Students must register early, at least two weeks before classes begin, or many classes will be cancelled.

Format: All courses are offered online through Continuing & Professional Education (regular semester courses taken on campus can also be applied toward the certificate).

Fees: This certificate requires students to take a total of 15 credits in five courses. The fee per credit is $380. There is an additional non-refundable registration fee of $45 each term. The registration fee is paid only once each term, regardless of how many courses a student enrolls in. Total cost for a 3-credit course is $1,185. You are also welcome to take any of our courses without pursuing the Certificate.

Curriculum: (subject to change):

RequiredJOURNAL 300, Newswriting & Reporting (completed Spring 2012)


Plus one "foundation course" (topics vary and are listed each session), plus additional online Journalism classes, for a total of 15 credit hours:

  • JOURNAL 201 Introduction to Journalism (completed Fall 2011)
  • JOURNAL 333 Introduction to Digital Photojournalism (completed Summer 2013)
  • JOURNAL 392P Writing for Public Relations (completed Summer 2013)
  • JOURNAL 392S Opinion Writing; Columns (completed Fall 2013)
  • JOURNAL 397W Introduction to Online Journalism (completed Summer 2012)
  • JOURNAL 460 Journalism Ethics (completed Fall 2012)