The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and freelancers for print publications including newspapers, magazines and on-line publications.
This four-year degree program offers students several options. They can earn their Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree after four years of study; pursue an "area of concentration" in Public Relations or Broadacst Communications; exit the program after two years with a Journalism Diploma; return in future to complete the degree.
Regardless of which option students choose, the program is focused on academic studies and practical training through seminars, labs and off-campus work experiences. The department features up-to-date, industry-standard computer and photographic equipment, including digital cameras and Web-specific software.
Faculty members include award-winning journalists with career experience and academic credentials. Several faculty members continue to work as journalists.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Journalism program prepares graduates to:
- Work in reporting, editing and photography positions in journalism and related fields
- Work as a freelance writer and/or photographer
Kwantlen’s Journalism program celebrates a high rate of employment for its graduates.
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, the following admission requirements apply:
Choose one of the following:
- English 12 with a grade of B or higher, or
- Kwantlen English Placement Test (EPT) for placement to ENGL 1100, or
- Completion of a University Transfer (UT) English with a C or higher, or
- Language Proficiency Index (LPI) with level 5 with an Essay score of 30
Applicants must also provide the following by the application deadline:
- A brief resumé
- Proof (such as business cards or written confirmation from interviewees) that they have interviewed at least three people currently working as journalists (i.e. reporters, photographers, editors)
- A 500-word essay detailing what they learned from the interviews and explaining why they are interested in journalism
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 determine what the program entails. (Specific arrangements will be made to schedule out-of-town applicants.)
During the information session, applicants will complete a current-events quiz and must obtain a minimum grade of 60 per cent to qualify as a candidate for acceptance into the program. The purpose of this quiz is to demonstrate interest in the world, curiosity, and understanding of basic knowledge essential to the successful pursuit of journalism. Applicants 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. Applicants who are unable to complete these tasks will find it difficult to keep up with assignments and will be advised to upgrade their skills before starting the program.
Students from journalism programs at other institutions can apply for admission to the final two years of the Kwantlen program. They require qualification from a recognized post-secondary institution that is equivalent to Kwantlen’s diploma program. Students from other institutions offering a journalism diploma program that differs significantly from Kwantlen’s might be required to take some first or second year courses. Part-time students are welcome subject to space availability.
Students from other institutions or programs or who have Kwantlen diplomas granted prior to 2000 might have to do additional coursework to meet all requirements. Students who have taken liberal education courses at other post-secondary institutions can apply to have those credits transferred towards the degree.
The Bachelor of Applied Journalism Program is organized into eight semesters and requires completion of 120 credits. Students concentrate on general knowledge and on developing the skills, work habits and attitudes they will need to succeed as students and as professionals. During their first two years of study, students will:
- Develop a broad knowledge of journalism and develop critical-thinking skills through course work that covers areas such as popular culture, communication theory and ethics
- Train in specific skill areas such as news and feature writing, interviewing, photography, editing, news writing for radio, and computer layout
- 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 as journalists
Required Courses
The First Two Years (Diploma Program)
The two-year diploma program (60 credits) focuses on applied journalism skills to prepare students for entry-level jobs in print and on-line journalism. Students are also required to complete academic courses and courses in popular culture, communication theory, and ethics.
First Year
Second Year
*Note
Work experience: Students spend four weeks working full-time at a print publication. This allows them to test and develop their skills in a working environment and to receive direction and feedback from editors.
**Note
To be taken in the fall semester, as spring semester classes are shortened because of the Work Experience.
Electives
In addition to the journalism courses, students must take:
- Three liberal education courses, (nine credits) including one first-year English, one first-year Political Science, and a Humanities, Social Science, or Science course
GRADUATION WITH A DIPLOMA
A student who successfully completes the first two years of the degree program can exit the program with a journalism diploma. They can return at a later date to pursue the degree full-time or, depending on space availability, on a part-time basis.
YEARS THREE AND FOUR
In the final two years of the Bachelor of Applied Journalism Degree, students study advanced journalism courses, which include specialized writing skills for magazines and large projects, the history of Canadian journalism, advanced computer-assisted reporting and research, on-line publishing, magazine production, and more.
Students are also required to complete many liberal education courses, including both journalism courses in mass media and journalism ethics and other academic courses, which students choose from a broad range of subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences.
At least 30 credits come from upper-level journalism courses. The remaining credits come from liberal education disciplines outside of journalism. (Full-time students spend one fall term that is dedicated to journalism, during which they produce a daily newspaper and complete a one-month work experience in any approved area of journalism.)
To meet all journalism requirements, students must successfully complete:
- Four journalism courses that have a strong liberal education component: 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: Daily Newspaper, Business & Management, Advanced Editing, and Work Experience
- Two journalism electives of their choice
To meet all additional elective requirements, students must successfully complete:
- Nine credits in liberal education, a professional program such as PR, or additional journalism courses.
To meet all liberal education requirements, students must successfully complete 30 additional liberal education credits, nine of them in the first two years:
During years one and two:
- 3 credits (First year ENG)
- 3 credits (First year POLI-SCI)
- 3 credits (A different approved liberal education course of choice)
During years three and four:
- 6 credits (Approved liberal education courses of choice, different from each other and different from years one and two above)
- 15 credits (Area of concentration: 6 additional lower-level and 9 upper-level credits in one of the above disciplines)
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 Transfer Credit form (available at Admissions), and an official transcript for evaluation.
Areas of Concentration: Broadcast Journalism or Public Relations
Degree students can apply to BCIT to complete an area of concentration in Broadcast Journalism in their third year. Students who are accepted by BCIT will spend the year attending BCIT before returning to Kwantlen to complete their degree. Acceptance into the broadcast program is entirely at the discretion of BCIT, which requires that candidates complete ‘bridging’ courses before they will be considered for acceptance.
Degree students also have the option of completing an area of concentration in Public Relations at Kwantlen. Acceptance is based on space availability.
Students are strongly advised to meet with a journalism faculty member and obtain a copy of the department’s guidelines for degree requirements to get a more detailed explanation of the program structure and to plan their courses effectively.
Required Courses
Required journalism courses for Years 3 and 4 include:
Note
Students spend one intensive term dedicated to journalism, producing a daily newspaper among other activities, and doing a one-month work experience.
*Note
Work Experience II: This 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.
Approved elective journalism courses for Years 3 and 4 include:
*Note
Not all courses will be offered in each semester. For information on current offerings, please contact Richmond admissions.
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Journalism or a Bachelor of Applied Journalism - Honours.