Journalism

Certificate

Program number: 908012CERT

• Overview
• Admission
• Curriculum
• Outcomes
• Careers

Overview

Overview

The Madison College Journalism Certificate offers professional writing and visual journalism courses for a wide range of students and can be used as a platform to a four-year program. The Journalism Certificate can also help an individual land an internship position, a part-time job, or full-time work in a small media organization, such as a weekly newspaper or radio station, or in a public relations department of an organization.

Students in other programs, such as the Visual Communication, Photography or Graphic Design programs, can simultaneously work to earn the Journalism Certificate while completing their associate’s degrees. Returning students who might possibly have bachelor's or master's degrees may obtain the Journalism Certificate as key to their transition to a professional writing or visual journalism career.

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 - South
• Reedsburg
• Portage
• Fort Atkinson
• Watertown

Some of the courses for this program may be available 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 an Academic 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

Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2019-2020 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

Current program students (including newly admitted), go directly to your Degree Progress Report (also referred to as an Advising Report or Academic Requirements) to view:

• Progress toward your specific requirements
• Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

If you have questions after reviewing your report, please see Advising Services.

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

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

4 credits

20-801-252

World Issues Journalism

3 credits

20-801-272

Journalism Practicum 2

1-2 credits

20-801-273

Journalism Practicum 3

1-2 credits

20-801-274

Journalism Practicum 4

1-2 credits

20-815-239

Digital Photography

3 credits

10-201-181

Introduction to Computer Graphics

3 credits

10-201-177

WebPage Design

3 credits

20-801-269

On-Air Performance

3 credits

20-801-254

Media Ethics and Democracy

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

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.

Job market for Journalism Certificate grads

Can a graduate of the Madison College Journalism Certificate Program get a job in a news media organization or in a public relations department? 

Yes! Many of our former journalism students are now working either full-time or part-time for news media organizations.

However, certificate graduates who have a bachelor's degree of some kind may have the advantage in a job interview. Larger media organizations, such as the Milwaukee Journal, often require job applicants to have a bachelor's degree in journalism, English or communications in addition to on-the-job experience.

Madison College Journalism Certificate graduates with an associate’s degree can still find employment. Smaller media organizations, such as small radio stations, small dailies or weekly newspapers, often advertise job openings and do not list a bachelor's degree in journalism as a requirement. They are looking for individuals who have the skills, desire, and passion for reporting the news of a small community.

• Estimated Program Cost
  # of Credits for Completion

  18

  Tuition

  $3226.60

  Materials/Supplemental Costs

  $321.08

  Other Costs

  $0.00

  Total Estimated Program Costs:
  (book costs not included)

  $3547.68