A Journalism Program With An Accelerated Approach

There is no reason someone who holds a college diploma or university degree in any discipline should take a program without an accelerated approach. At Centennial College, “fast-track” programs are shorter, relevant and allow you to complement your experiences and education. In these offerings, you receive an accelerated diploma in your chosen field of study; become job ready in a short period of time; and belong to a college that helps to meet the challenges of the global economy.

One “fast-track” offering at Centennial College is the Journalism program, which sees those with a diploma or university degree enter in the third semester of the six-semester offering and graduate in two years. As an applicant, you will also be required to provide: an up-to-date resume, references, and six to ten published pieces (clippings, printouts or air checks of published or broadcast work from an established newspaper, news website, journalism blog site or radio or television news outlet). If you have not worked in the journalism field but would still like to apply, you will be required to attend a Program Admission Session where you will: complete a two-part writing test; submit an up-to-date resume and six to eight writing samples that may include academic essay extracts, creating (fiction) writing

Unlike some other Journalism schools, Centennial College’s program prides itself on offering students as much real-life, practical experience as possible. That’s why many of the courses include practical elements that see students: learn to write and tell stories in an energetic, dynamic and hands-on environment; interact with professionals and educators who guide them through each of the lessons they learn; develop a portfolio of published stories and photos, which is essential for seeking a job upon graduation; and develop new multiplatform and online skills for the evolving world of news reporting.

This know-how is achieved in classrooms that mimic the real world. At Centennial College’s Centre for Creative Communications, students have access to an ultra-modern professional newsroom as well as extensive publishing, broadcast and interactive facilities. In this environment, they gain real-world experience by producing stories for the award-winning East York Observer newspaper, the Toronto and Scarborough Observer website and the Scarborough News magazine.

The knowledge gained during this experience and throughout the program is then applied to a final-semester field placement. For 15 weeks, students work alongside professional staff in a commercial media outlet or communications agency. To qualify for placement, a student must have passed every required course in previous semesters. In arranging placement matches, faculty members take into account the student’s aptitudes and career goals.

Journalism in Canada: Career Options and Competencies Required

A diploma in journalism prepares students for a variety of careers, including

• Broadcast journalists
• Editorial assistants
• Magazine journalists
• Newspaper journalists
• Press sub-editors
• Proofreaders
• Print production planners
• Commissioning editors

These are just a few career options for journalists. However, the advancement in digital media and online platforms has opened doors to more exciting career options. The career prospects are bright for new-age journalists. They can be engaged in

• Researching a subject
• Writing and telling stories
• Producing and live-streaming radio and television newscasts
• Covering different events
• Preparing reports
• Writing for magazines, newspapers, radio outlets and social media platforms
• Attending press launches and other events
• Interviewing people face-to-face or on phone
• Writing scripts for bulletins
• Identifying and deploying resources

Competencies Required for Building a Career in Journalism

Building a career in journalism is difficult, given the fierce competition in the job market. In order to seek employment in this field, the professionals are expected to possess some basic knowledge, skills and ability, such as:

• Inquisitiveness
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to relate to all kinds of people
• In-depth understanding of social and political issues
• Ability to keep up with the latest happenings or current affairs
• Good at absorbing information quickly
• Critical analysis skills
• Ability to handle stress
• Flexible yet creative approach
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate information effectively

A journalism program can help individuals gain all necessary knowledge and skills required to enter the world of work. It helps students learn how to

• Report
• Examine issues
• Tell stories
• Break news
• Operate in a real newsroom
• Produce an online publication
• Write for online media

The course covers a wide range of subjects, including:

• Journalism Design
• News Reporting
• Imaging: Journalism
• Journalism Laws and Ethics
• Magazine/Freelance Journalism
• Advanced Interviewing Techniques
• News Laboratory
• Radio News
• Multiplatform Journalism
• Beat Reporting
• Television News
• Journalism Career Management

The program combines classroom learning, real-world experience producing stories for award winning newspapers and websites, one-on-one interaction with experienced faculty and a one-semester intensive field placement.

Journalism Schools in Canada

There are a number of journalism schools in Canada, but Centennial College offers a fast-track program in journalism that prepares college and university graduates for diverse careers in just two years. It is an accelerated yet intensive program that covers all aspects of traditional and contemporary journalism, preparing students to enter this fast-paced and exciting career.

The college also allows qualified graduates to apply their credits earned during this fast-track journalism course towards further study at the university. They can also choose to pursue their careers right after graduation.

Admission Requirements

In order to apply for this course, students will need:

• College diploma or university degree in any discipline
• Relevant work experience (for applicants with partial post-secondary education)

Additional Requirements

For Applicants with a Record of Published Journalism-Related Work

• An up-to-date resume
• References
• Six-ten published pieces, including clippings, printouts or airchecks

For Applicants without a Record of Published Journalism-Related Work

• Complete a two-part writing test
• Submit an up-to-date resume
• Submit six-eight writing samples

Switch Career Paths by Attending a Fast-Track Journalism Program

Adam McDowell is a reporter for the National Post. After considering a number of journalism schools, Adam chose the post-graduate journalism program at Centennial College to start his career. “I would wholeheartedly recommend Centennial College to anyone looking for a career in journalism,” he says. “Among the program’s many strengths, credit has to be given, above all, to its dedicated and demanding instructors, who set high expectations for their students. [It’s] the best kind of preparation for a tough, competitive field.”

Adam’s testimonial highlights how dedicated the teachers in the undertaking are, but like he mentioned the program has many other strengths. First and foremost, this journalism program only takes two years to complete, which allows students to partake in intense and quick-paced study that is not much different from the real world of journalism. The area of study isn’t focus on one form of journalism, instead, students obtain the know-how to work at magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and even online.

More specifically, within the journalism program students: learn to write and tell stories in an energetic, dynamic and hands-on environment, led by a faculty of seasoned professionals and educators; develop a portfolio of published stories and photos as they apply their skills in a real newsroom, writing for an online publication and a community newspaper; develop new multi-platform and online skills for the evolving world of news reporting. These skills are achieved through specifically-developed courses that focus on topics such as: journalism design, news reporting, introduction to online news, journalism law and ethics, magazine/freelance journalism, advanced interviewing techniques, radio news, multiplatform journalism and many others.

As mentioned above, students obtain real-life experience by participating in the development of a community paper, called The East Toronto Observer and its online edition, The Toronto Observer. In addition, students of this journalism program gain access to extensive publishing, broadcast and interactive facilities at The Centre for Creative Communications campus. This allows them to practice in their own time. Once they have had a sample of what to expect from the field, students participate in a final semester 15-week placement. During this portion of Centennial College’s journalism school, students work alongside professional staff in a commercial media outlet or communications agency. To qualify for placement, a student must have passed every course required in previous semesters.

Centennial College’s fast-track journalism program requires applicants to submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Also considered will be applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education (minimum of two years) and relevant work experience. In addition, students must either submit a portfolio of Journalism related work along with a resume and references (this should include 6 to 10 samples); or attend a program admission session where they will: complete a two-part writing test; submit a portfolio of six to eight pieces that may include academic essay extracts or creative writing; and submit an up-to-date resumé.

Companies that have hired Centennial College journalism program graduates include: NOW Magazine, Oshawa This Week, 680 News, Toronto Star, TSN, and many others.

Journalism Program Offers Speedy Entry into the Workforce

Have you obtained a post-secondary degree or diploma but have become fascinated with getting the facts, interviewing sources and presenting the news? If so, then Centennial College’s fast-track journalism program within its journalism schools can get you into the field in just two years. Not only will you leave with interview skills and knowledge on how to write a story or produce a news segment, you’ll have the know-how to work at magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and even online.

At the essence of journalism is the need to report accurate, unbiased news to the public in an efficient manner. Journalism covers everything from politics and crime to local stories, entertainment, sports and more. It can be broken down into different sections and roles, but all journalists (whether they end up as editors, copy editors, chase producers, online coordinators or something else all together) must know how to tell the story and how to address the: who, what, where, when and why. In the magazine world, stories are written and re-written many times before publishing date, as many magazines are released monthly or quarterly. Meanwhile, at a newspaper, reporters work on deadline for the same day. This means interviewing over the phone, rushing to press conferences and filing by a certain time. Meanwhile, in TV and radio, the writing style is very different. It is more concise and conversational. Lastly, the newest sector of journalism is online reporting, which essentially means breaking stories as they happen and updating as soon as more information is available.

Centennial College’s fast-track journalism program requires applicants to submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Also considered will be applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education (minimum of two years) and relevant work experience. In addition, there will be a four-part writing test as well as a portfolio and resume submission.

Once students are accepted, they will learn everything from how to conduct an interview to covering breaking news and exploring human-interest stories. The point of the program is to touch on all niches of the field so that students may discover theirs. This occurs through courses such as: News Reporting (designed to help students develop a basic proficiency level in journalistic reporting and writing techniques), Imagining: Journalism (designed to introduce the basic concepts of photography and imaging and expand on those basics, primarily pertaining to photojournalism); Magazine/Freelance Writing (emphasis is placed on finding market niches, winning assignments and carrying them out professionally); and many others.

Journalism schools find it very important to offer students real life experience so that they are able to handle themselves in a newsroom. One feature of Centennial College’s fast-track journalism program is the development of a portfolio. Students have the opportunity to be published in a real community paper called The East Toronto Observer and its online edition, The Toronto Observer. Once they have had a sample of what to expect from the field, they participate in a final semester placement.

Document History as Part of The Journalism Field

Those who document historical moments, people and current events become just as important as the events that they are covering. The field of journalism puts you right in the pages of history as you document everything from press conferences with politicians and groundbreaking developments to outrageous celebrities and sporting events. Not only is journalism one of the most exciting professions, it also allows for many career paths including: magazine, newspaper or TV reporting (in a variety of areas), online journalism, radio broadcasting, and editing. However, before you can think of embarking on an exciting and fast-paced career in this field, you must obtain a degree or diploma from one of Canada's respected Journalism Programs.

Whether your preference is the speedy online world where updates are added to articles right as they happen or the magazine platform, which requires more of a literary style of writing or perhaps the action of live radio or TV broadcasting, training starts with the same basics. First and foremost, students begin journalism school by taking reporting, research and editing courses, which allow you to understand journalistic structure and theory. In addition, at Centennial College, journalism students also receive extensive hands-on training, which, in this field, is just as important as theory. You will apply your research, interview and writing skills by being an active journalist for a community newspaper and an online publication. These experiences guarantee that you understand the inner workings of a newsroom and the procedures taken to ensure that stories are factually accurate, concise, consistent and conversational so the public may easily relate. Centennial's Journalism School also does an amazing job of helping students to develop new multi-platform and online skills, as much of today's news is being produced for online avenues. Another important aspect of the journalism program is its field placement, which puts students into the newsrooms of some of the most respected newspapers, magazines or news stations. The real-life experience allows you to build your portfolio, which is essential to any journalist seeking employment.

To apply for Centennial's journalism program, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. There is also a compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent requirement. During the admission process, students must complete an editing test and a current affairs questionnaire and write a short essay (topic provided). English will also be considered in the admissions process for journalism school.

Upon graduation, journalism jobs are available across Canada, whether in small town newspapers or big city radio and TV stations. Journalists must be willing to move where the job takes them, as many journalism positions are temporary with a possibility of leading to full time. Some journalists choose to freelance for a variety of publications. This allows them to build their portfolios and gain experience in a variety of areas such as local and international news, crime briefs, lifestyle and entertainment, arts and culture and much more. Those who choose the broadcasting option often start out as "chase producers", setting up interviews for the reporters and eventually moving into the reporter or anchor roles themselves. With Canada’s respected and objective view of today's current events, journalism is a great industry in which to find a long-lasting career.