Journalism Innovation & Leadership, MA/PGCert

Program Overview

The Journalism Innovation & Leadership MA/PGCert program at UCLan empowers forward-thinking media professionals to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving landscape. Through applied learning projects and guidance from industry experts, students develop advanced skills in leadership, innovation, and project management, preparing them for leadership roles in news organizations and related fields. The program emphasizes critical thinking and the impact of journalism on communities.

Program Outline

Journalism Innovation & Leadership, MA/PGCert - UCLan

Degree Overview:

This flexible, part-time Postgraduate Certificate and MA program is tailored to news innovators eager to lead, and leaders eager to innovate, by growing their competence, their confidence, their networks as well as their career options.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip forward-thinking media professionals to successfully lead teams, projects, and organizations in an increasingly complex and competitive media landscape.

Description:

The program offers a flexible learning plan that allows students to earn a Postgraduate Certificate in 30 weeks over one year or an MA in 70 weeks over two years, all while remaining in their current work role.

• Year 1: Students complete two modules (JN4530 and JN4531) for the Postgraduate Certificate.
• Year 2: Students complete two more modules (JN4526 and JN4527) to gain an MA.

Modules:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Journalism Leadership (JN4530):
This module helps students understand what it takes to successfully lead innovation in an organization operating in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. Students will analyze the market context, identify key issues impacting their organization's success, and diagnose specific operational issues that leadership needs to address. Applied Learning Projects include a position paper on strategic issues facing the organization, leading to a consultancy-style report with evidence-based recommendations for action. Students will also create a Professional Development Plan with the support of tutors and an industry mentor. Students will stress test innovation approaches and tools used to develop innovative media products and services that serve communities and sustain businesses. The Applied Learning Project will involve using cutting-edge innovation methods to develop a practical plan to address a specific innovation challenge within the student's organization.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Extended Applied Learning Project (JN4526):
This module provides students with a "real-world" experience that fosters their ability to drive innovation in the media industry. Students will work with a company on a clearly defined project addressing a real innovation issue facing the organization or exploit an entrepreneurial opportunity. The module aims to nurture independent learning and mastery of advanced skills in research, critical thinking, communication, and project management. Students will learn to identify and use appropriate strategies and techniques for applied research in journalism and news media.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Flipped Learning Approach: This approach combines readings and weekly online discussions with Intensive Learning Blocks (on campus or online) that include industry case studies and interactive workshops.
Her expertise lies in moving independent media through viable, sustainable, and resilient models with a focus on revenue models and innovation.
• Dr. François Nel: Reader in Media Innovation & Entrepreneurship, School of Arts and Media, media innovation specialist with wide international experience.
He teaches across a range of practical and theoretical journalism courses and supervises PhD studies on topics related to innovation and sustainability.

Assessment:

• No traditional tests or exams.

• Assessment is based on Applied Learning Projects and other coursework.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• The program aims to foster the next generation of diverse leaders and innovators in the media industry.
• Graduates are equipped to lead teams, projects, and organizations in a complex and competitive media landscape.

Opportunities:

• The program provides access to a network of industry professionals and mentors.
• Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in news organizations, media companies, and related fields.

Outcomes:

• Graduates will have developed advanced skills in leadership, innovation, data analysis, and project management.
• They will be able to adapt newsroom workflows, organizational structures, and mindsets to meet changing demands.
• The program includes a Board of Industry Mentors and Advisors, including prominent figures from the media industry.

| Fees and funding | 2024/25 | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | UKDistance Part-time | £1,000 per 20 credits | |InternationalDistance Part-time | £1,000 per 20 credits |