Journalism

Certificate

Program number: 908012CERT

• Overview
• Admission
• Curriculum
• Outcomes
• Careers

Overview

Overview

Madison College offers a Journalism Certificate, which gives students the basic understanding of and skills needed to work as an entry-level journalist.

International Study Options

Madison College students who are enrolled in the Journalism Certificate also have the opportunity to spend one semester as a foreign exchange student at the International Institute of Environment and Development at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, located about 30 miles south of Oslo, Norway.

Program Details

Students earning the Journalism Certificate can attend full or part time.

Journalism classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

• Madison - Truax
• Madison - Downtown
• Madison - South
• Reedsburg
• Portage
• Fort Atkinson
• Watertown

Portions of this program are offered online.

Admission

Admission

To Apply

View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials and requirements.

• Review the admission checklist to learn how to apply to a program or certificate at Madison College.
• Attend a New Student Information Session to get started in the admission process.
• Visit MATC to learn more about the Madison College experience, including campus tours and program open houses.

After Acceptance

Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at MATC. 

Questions?

Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or (608) 246-6210.

 

Curriculum

Curriculum

The courses listed below outline the requirements for completion for students officially admitted in the 2016-2017 academic year. Requirements for completion may vary depending on the semester in which a student is admitted or may be completed by other equivalent courses. Current/continuing students should consult their Academic Requirements report available through their student account for specific requirements and equivalent courses.

Required Courses

20-801-245

Introduction to Journalism

3 credits

20-801-246

Investigative Journalism

3 credits

20-801-253

Documentary Storytelling

3 credits

20-801-262

Social Media Writing

3 credits

20-801-271

Journalism Practicum 1

2 credits

Electives

Students must also complete at least a minimum 5 credits from the following electives

10-203-173

Photojournalism

2 credits

10-206-147

Introduction to DSLR Video Production

2 credits

20-801-251

Introduction to Mass Communication - Liberal Arts Transfer

4 credits

20-801-252

World Issues Journalism

3 credits

20-801-272

Journalism Practicum 2

2 credits

20-801-273

Journalism Practicum 3

2 credits

20-801-274

Journalism Practicum 4

2 credits

20-815-239

Digital Photography

3 credits

Outcomes

Outcomes

After completing the Journalism Certificate at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

• Gain employment in the field of journalism. Past students have landed full-time or part-time jobs in journalism or public relations. Many students have used the skills they acquired completing the certificate to specialize as freelance writers or obtain an internship.

• Gain journalism credits that transfer to colleges and universities in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

• Develop a portfolio of published work. Each student also will leave the Journalism Certificate program with a quality cover letter and resume.

• Journalism credits can be used as electives for the Liberal Arts associate degree.

• Enhance your media literacy and communication skills. Completing the Journalism Certificate will allow you to understand how the media operates in our society and also sharpen your communication skills.

Careers

Journalism is an exciting, rewarding career. Journalists have the unique opportunity to travel, investigate issues and interview fascinating people while getting paid to tell a story about what they see, hear and experience. With the Journalism Certificate, you will be ready for a range of professional positions in the field of journalism, including:

• News Reporter
• Feature Writer
• Radio Reporter
• Video Journalist
• Social Media Writer
• Web Writer
• Copy Editor
• Public Relations Writer

Journalists who also have "new media" skills, such as podcasting and video storytelling, are attractive candidates to media organizations looking to hire multi-talented journalists.