This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for
2003-2004 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the
Calendar for updated information.
The on-line version of the University College Calendar is the Official version. In the event of conflict between the printed version and the online version, the on-line version will prevail.
Effective date of this program calendar information, unless otherwise indicated, is Sept. 1, 2003 to Aug. 31, 2004.
Journalism
Offered at Richmond
Start date: September (Journalism Diploma); September and January (Journalism Degree, Advanced Standing for those with previous education in Journalism)
Description
The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and free-lancers for print publications, as well as for work in a variety of capacities with Web-based media. Both a four-year Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree and a two-year Diploma in Journalism contain broad academic knowledge with strong, practical training through seminars, labs, and off-campus work experiences. In order to meet industry standards, the program uses up-to-date computer and photographic equipment, including digital cameras and Web-specific software. Faculty includes full-time instructors with career experience, as well as part-time specialists who are currently working in journalism.
Diploma
Description
This two-year diploma program prepares students for entry-level jobs in print and on-line journalism. Successful completion of a journalism diploma is required for acceptance into the Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree.
Career Opportunities
This program prepares students to have a combination of general knowledge and technical competency. Graduates of this program will be able to:
apply for positions in journalism and related fields with the education, skills, work habits and attitudes needed to be effective.
freelance effectively.
Kwantlen's Journalism program celebrates a high rate of employments of its graduates.
Student Profile
Many applicants are mature students who are making a career change while others are recent high school graduates. Some students enter the program with post-secondary experience, with university degrees and/or come from other endeavors that are seeking specific marketable skills.
Part-time students can be accommodated when space permits. Industry personnel who wish to take specific courses or courses on a part-time basis to complement their job skills may do so with permission of the Program Coordinator, application deadlines to the program and English language entrance requirements apply. Some course prerequisites may be waived based on work experience. Contact the Program Coordinator for further information.
Admission Requirements (pending approval)
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as admission is based on date of application once the applicant has met entrance requirements.
Because writing is a fundamental component of Journalism, applicants must complete a Language Proficiency Index (LPI) with level 5 with an Essay score of 30 or Kwantlen English Placement Test (EPT) for placement to ENGL 1100 or 1110 or completion of a University Transfer (UT) English with a C or higher.
Applicants must also provide the following by the application deadline:
resumé
proof that they have interviewed at least three people currently working as journalists (i.e. reporters, photographers, editors)
a 500-word statement that details what they learned in their interviews and tells why they are interested in journalism.
The above are required to ensure that the aspirations of applicants are realistic in light of the demands of the workplace and of the program.
Applicants must attend an information session at Kwantlen's Richmond campus at a designated time late in April or early May. Potential students will have the opportunity to meet faculty, ask questions about the program and to determine what the program entails. (Arrangements will be made to accommodate out-of-town applicants.)
During the information session, applicants will complete a current events quiz (a passing grade of 60 per cent is required). They will also demonstrate the ability to perform basic computer operations: open a Windows-based document, save to disk, print a document and exit the program. A lack of these skills will hold the student back, so applicants not able to perform these tasks will be advised to upgrade their skills before starting the program.
Content
The journalism diploma program is organized into four semesters and carries 60 credits. Students concentrate on general knowledge and on developing the skills, work habits and attitudes they will need to succeed both as students and as professionals. During their two years of study, students will:
develop a broad knowledge base through course work which covers areas such as popular culture, communication theory, law and ethics.
train in specific skill areas such as news and feature writing, interviewing, photography, editing, layout, and computers
develop sound work habits, such as effective time management, teamwork, and setting objectives and standards
develop appropriate attitudes through exposure to the legal, ethical and societal constraints under which they will be expected to function.
Required Courses
First-year
JRNL 1100 Explorations in Mass Communications (transferable to SFU)
First-year course in Humanities, Social Science, or Science**
* Work experience: Students are placed at a publication, full-time, for four weeks. This allows students to experience first-hand the working environment of journalists and to get direct feedback from editors.
** To be taken in the fall semester as spring semester classes are shortened because of the Work Experience.*
Electives
In addition to the above courses, students must take:
Three liberal education courses, (nine credits) including one first-year English, one first-year Political Science, and either a Humanities, Social Science, or Science
Graduation
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be awarded a Diploma in Journalism.
Bachelor of Applied Journalism
Description
This four-year degree builds on the knowledge and skills learned in a Journalism diploma through advanced journalism courses that include magazine and project writing, journalism history, computer-based research, leadership, on-line publishing, and magazine production. Liberal Education courses provide knowledge of media and mass communication, as well as Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences.
Degree students have the opportunity to pursue a Minor in Broadcast Journalism, through BCIT, or a Minor in Public Relations at Kwantlen. An Honours degree is also available, by completing directed study courses and an honours seminar, during which they will work independently on a specific area, with a faculty advisor, on an intensive research and writing project.
Note: The Honours degree may not be offered each year.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have successfully completed a Journalism diploma at a recognized post-secondary institution. Students from other institutions whose diploma program differs significantly from Kwantlens’ may be required to take some first- or second-year courses in order to be well prepared for the degree program. Students who have completed, or are about to complete a Diploma in Journalism at Kwantlen must make a formal application to continue into the degree program. Part-time students are welcome.
Content
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Journalism, after having obtained a diploma, spend four more semesters or approximately two years obtaining the additional 60 credits needed for their degree. (Students from other institutions or programs or who have Kwantlen diplomas granted prior to 2000 may have to do additional coursework to meet all requirements. Students who have taken Liberal Education courses at other post-secondary institutions may transfer those credits in to be applied towards the degree.) Out of those 60 credits, at least 30 will be senior-level Journalism courses, while the remaining credits will be primarily taken in Liberal Education disciplines outside of Journalism. Students must complete 42 credits of upper-level (third or fourth year) courses overall, from both journalism and Liberal Education, in order to graduate. Full-time students spend one “intensive” fall term that is dedicated to journalism, where they produce a daily newspaper, among other activities, and finish off their term with a one-month work experience.
To meet all journalism requirements, students must successfully complete:
four Journalism courses that have a strong Liberal Education component, including Media and Diversity, Advanced Research for Journalism, History of Canadian Journalism and Special Topics in Journalism
four Journalism courses that have a strong emphasis on practical skills, which currently include Daily Newspaper, Business & Management, Advanced Editing, and a Work Experience
two Journalism electives of their choice.
* Students may choose to take a third Journalism elective in order to complete their requirement for 42 upper-level credits. Students may choose to do 12 credits of work in upper-level courses outside of Journalism in order to complete their requirement for 42 upper-level credits.
To meet all liberal education requirements, students must successfully complete:
15 credits in five Liberal Education disciplines outside of Journalism. (Students who have completed a Diploma in Journalism at Kwantlen beginning in 2000 will already have nine credits of Liberal Education.)
18 credits in an “area of concentration” in one liberal education discipline
9 credits of work in upper-level courses outside of Journalism.
Applicants who have completed courses or hold a bachelor degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and wish to apply these courses to the Liberal Education requirements must submit a Request for Advanced Standing form (available at admissions).
Students intending to pursue the Bachelor of Applied Journalism are strongly advised to meet with a Journalism faculty member and obtain a copy of the department's guidelines for degree requirements in order to get a more detailed explanation of the program structure and to plan their courses effectively.
* Work Experience II: This second off-campus placement allows students to work in a different environment than what was experienced in the diploma program, in order to explore a range of job possibilities.
Note: Not all courses will be offered in each semester.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Journalism.
Other Information
Some courses may be of interest to practicing professionals seeking professional development.
Advisory Committee
Faculty meet regularly with an Advisory Committee comprised of people who are working in several areas of the media.
Journalism Faculty
Page not found | Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Skip to main content
