Bachelor of Applied Journalism

DESCRIPTION

The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and freelancers for media 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 Broadcast 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.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

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 minimum B
• C or higher in any one of the following: ENGL 1100 or ENGQ 1099 or ENGL 1099 or ABEE 0091 or ABEE 0092 or PSPE 1091 or ENGP 1091 or ABEE 0097 or PSPE 1097 or ENGP 1097
• B or higher in ELST 0381 and ELST 0383
• Kwantlen English Placement Test, with a recommendation to ENGL 1100
• LPI with an Essay score of 30 or higher
• Equivalent English course completed and transferred from another post secondary institution

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 in person or by phone (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. Note: students with credentials equivalent to Kwantlen's journalism diploma are not required to submit the essay or to interview three working journalists.

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.

CONTENT

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

Successful applicants may take their liberal education and non discipline specific courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer months in order to lighten their workload during the term. Courses such as ENGL 1100, MRKT 1199 and others are usually offered during the summer semester.

Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and an availability of space.

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.

Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year

First Year

• JRNL 1100 Explorations in Mass Communications (transferable to SFU) (3 credits)
• JRNL 1123 Writing Skills for Journalism (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 1130 Photography for Print Media (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 1141 Visual Design with Computers (3 credits)
• JRNL 1160 Introduction to Journalism (3 credits)
• JRNL 1231 Basic Photojournalism (3 credits)
• JRNL 1261 Advanced Journalism (3 credits)
• JRNL 1262 Political Reporting (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 1265 Feature Writing (3 credits)
• JRNL 1273 News Production & Editing (3 credits)
• First-year English* (3 credits)
• First-year Political Science* (3 credits)

Second Year

• JRNL 2301 Media & Audiences (transferable to SFU) (3 credits)
• JRNL 2332 Advanced Photojournalism (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 2353 Research Techniques (3 credits)
• JRNL 2373 News Publication I (4 credits)
• JRNL 2401 Ethics & the Media (3 credits)
• JRNL 2402 Broadcast I: Introduction to Radio Reporting (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 2463 Investigative Journalism (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 2471 Work experience**(4.5 credits)
• JRNL 2477 News Publication II (3.5 credits)
• First year course in Humanities, Social Science, or Science (3 credits)** – To be taken in the fall semester, as spring semester classes are shortened because of the Work Experience.

*Three liberal education courses, (nine credits) including one first-year English

**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.  

GRADUATION WITH A DIPLOMA

A student who successfully completes the first two years of the degree program and wishes to exit with a journalism diploma must apply for that credential through Enrolment and Registrar Services. Depending on space availability, such students may be able to return at a later date to pursue the degree.

YEARS THREE AND FOUR

The program is currently under review.

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, and more. 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 complete a one-month work experience in any approved area of journalism.

To meet all additional elective requirements, students must successfully complete nine credits in liberal education, a professional program such as Kwantlen's Public Relations program, 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 (ENGL 1100 or equivalent)
• 3 credits (First year POLI-SCI)
• 3 credits (An approved liberal education course from a discipline other than English or Political Science.)

During years three and four:

• 6 credits (Approved liberal education courses from two disciplines other than the above)
• 15 credits (Area of concentration: 6 additional lower-level and 9 upper-level credits in one of the above five 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 Enrolment and Registrar Services), 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:

• JRNL 3200 Media and Diversity (3 credits)
• JRNL 4101 Daily News Production (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 3150 Advanced Research for Journalism (3 credits)
• JRNL 4131 Advanced Editing (1.5 credits)
• JRNL 4140 Work Experience II* (4.5 credits)
• JRNL 4200 History of Canadian Journalism (3 credits)
• JRNL 4210 Journalism – Special Topics (3 credits)
• JRNL 4240 Social Issues Journalism (3 credits)

3 credits of upper level course from the approved Journalism Elective list*

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 (3 credits each) for Years 3 and 4 include:

• JRNL 3100 On-line Publishing I
• JRNL 3130 Writing for Magazines
• JRNL 3140 Advanced Web Design and Writing
• JRNL 3210 Magazine Production
• JRNL 3220 On-line Publishing II
• JRNL 3250 Directed Study
• JRNL 4190 Directed Study Honours I – Research (honours students only)
• JRNL 4290 Honours Thesis (honours students only)
• JRNL 4295 Honours Seminar (honours students only)

Journalism Degree and Diploma credit calculations

Not all courses will be offered in each semester. For information on current offerings, please contact Richmond admissions.

GRADUATION

Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Journalism or a Bachelor of Applied Journalism – Honours.