Journalism - Certificate of Achievement

Program Overview

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The Journalism Certificate of Achievement at Cerritos College equips students with essential skills for entry-level journalism positions, including reporting, content creation, and editing. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through the college newspaper and offers elective courses to tailor the curriculum to individual interests. Graduates are prepared for careers in journalism, public relations, and other communication fields.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Journalism Certificate aims to equip students with essential skills and knowledge for entry-level positions in the journalism field, specifically as reporters, content creators, and editors. Additionally, it fulfills part of the general education requirements for various other majors.

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

• The program consists of 24 units, typically completed over three terms.
• Courses are offered in a sequence, starting with foundational journalism principles and progressing to advanced skills and applications.

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Course Schedule:

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Fall 2023 (1st Term):

• JOUR 100: Mass Communications and Society (3 units)
• JOUR 101: Beginning Newswriting and Reporting (3 units)
• Major Course (3 units, student's choice)

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Spring 2024 (2nd Term):

• JOUR 121: Multimedia Reporting (3 units)
• JOUR 107A: College Newspaper (3 units)
• Major Course (3 units, student's choice)

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Fall 2024 (3rd Term):

• JOUR 107B: Intermediate College Newspaper (3 units)
• Major Course (3 units, student's choice)

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Modules and Descriptions:

• Mass Communications and Society: Explores the evolution and impact of mass communication, media literacy, and ethical considerations.
• Beginning Newswriting and Reporting: Introduces the basics of newsgathering, interviewing, writing, and reporting techniques.
• Multimedia Reporting: Focuses on integrating multimedia elements into storytelling, including audio, video, and graphics.
• College Newspaper: Provides hands-on experience in writing, editing, and publishing content for the Cerritos College Falcon newspaper.
• Major Courses: Students choose elective courses based on their interests and career aspirations, potentially including:
• JOUR 120: Feature Writing
• JOUR 130: Photojournalism
• JOUR 150: Introduction to Broadcasting
• JOUR 200: Advanced Reporting

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on individual courses and may include:

• Examinations: Midterm and final exams to assess understanding of key concepts and theories.
• Writing assignments: News articles, feature stories, editorials, and other relevant writing formats to evaluate writing skills and adherence to journalistic principles.
• Multimedia projects: Creating and presenting multimedia content to demonstrate proficiency in using multimedia tools and storytelling techniques.
• Class participation and presentations: Engaging in class discussions, presenting assignments, and contributing actively to the learning environment.

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Teaching:

• Teaching methods: The program employs various teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, workshops, guest speaker presentations, and individual and group projects.
• Faculty: Instructors are experienced professionals in the field, providing students with real-world insights and practical knowledge.
• Unique approaches:
• Emphasis on hands-on experience:
The program offers opportunities to apply learned skills through the college newspaper and other projects.
• Small class sizes: This allows for personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.
• Industry connections: The program fosters connections with local media organizations, providing internship and networking opportunities for students.

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Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Reporter
• Content creator
• Editor
• Social media manager
• Public relations specialist
• Copywriter
• Communications specialist
• Career growth: The job market for this program is projected to grow by 6.4% nationwide from 2019 to 2029.
• Micro-credential opportunities: Students can earn micro-credentials in specific skills, such as digital storytelling or podcasting, through dedicated courses within the program.
• Accreditation: Cerritos College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).