Journalism | St. Clair College
Program Code: B894
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September

Emergency Alternate Delivery Plan:
Winter 2024 Emergency Alternate Delivery

Contact:
Veronique Mandal
519-972-2727 ext. 4292

Program Overview

Students looking for a career as a journalist will have the distinction of learning at our new MediaPlex located in downtown Windsor. Just steps from the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, it is the only one of its kind in Canada and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support “convergence” news reporting which means you will learn to write and file stories for all media platforms - television, radio, print, and online.

The curriculum will provide students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable across all media platforms.

Students will experience actual “on-deadline” news filing, be expected to adapt their story for multiple media deliveries and to back up their stories with photography, audio or video. Much of the course work is “in field,” and as such, students must be strong self-starters and motivated to seek out, interview and write stories on a frequent basis. Successful applicants will have a very strong interest in news and current affairs. They must have above average writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines while working under pressure. They should also have an innate sense of curiosity.

Program Highlights

  • 2 media field placements
  • The MediaPlex is the only one of its kind in Canada and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
  • "Convergence" journalism is taught exclusively at this campus, providing students with employable skills for the newsrooms of the 21st century.
  • Students learn how to work across all media platforms including on-line, print, television and radio.
  • The curriculum will provide students with cutting edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable across all media platforms.
  • Journalism students get to run The MediaPlex Website bringing you breaking news and current affairs from Windsor, across Canada and around the world, as it affects people in our communities.

Career Opportunities

The opportunities for budding journalists are expanding significantly in traditional news reporting and photojournalism for print, radio and television. The web has opened new avenues for internet news provider/ researcher, web site designer and convergence media professionals (providing stories to all media).

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for admission to this program.

Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.

 

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
JRN122
Writing For Media Fundamentals
4
JRN141
DSLR Filmmaking and Photography
4
JRN144
Podcast Creation and Radio
4
JRN147
Social Media Storytelling & Strategies
3
JRN132
Drone Technology and Media Production
5
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
JRN204
Mobile, Storytelling - Photo and Video
4
JRN206
Intro To Creative Screenwriting & Production
4
JRN231
Media Presentation & Performance
4
JRN234
TV Production
4
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
JRN328
Blogging, Vlogging & Feature Writing
4
JRN332
Film Post-Production Editing, Sound and Lighting
5
JRN336
Broadcast Production, Radio and Drama
4
JRN339
Intro To Design, Layout and Immersive Storytelling
5
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
JRN433
Entrepreneurship and Freelancing
3
JRN436
Digital Channel Creation, Branding Analytics and Promotion
4
JRN439
Making A Movie
6
JRN443
Media Arts & Environment Production
4
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
JRN155 News Writing 4
JRN135 Intro To Desktop Publications 3
JRN152 Digital Photojournalism I 3
JRN138 Editing Cp Style 3
JRN116 Media Ethics & The Law 2
JRN118 Social Media Storytelling 2
JRN226 Convergence Technology 2
JRN139 Drone Technology And Media Production 1
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
JRN151 Portfolio And Placement Preparation 2
JRN214 Digital Photojournalism II 3
JRN211 Radio Reporting 2
JRN218 TV Radio & Digital Writing & Presentation 2
JRN203 Broadcast Writing & Research 3
JRN255 News Writing II 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN219 Social Media Strategies 1
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
JRN323 Internship I 2
JRN319 Digital Videojournalism - Writing/Presentation 3
JRN202 Feature Writing 3
JRN207 Math For The Media 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN355 Newswriting III 2
JRN321 Podcast Journalism 2
JRN327 Social Media Technical Skills 1
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
JRN417 Public Relations Basics 3
JRN427 Internship II 2
JRN419 Digital Production Video & Radio Journalism 2
JRN425 Rhetoric And Persuasive Writing 3
JRN405 Convergence Reporting Lab - Print 1
JRN403 Digital Convergent Design 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN423 Convergence Reporting Lab - Radio 1
JRN428 Social Media Analytics 1

View Pre/Co-Requisites for Journalism

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
JRN155 News Writing 4
JRN135 Intro To Desktop Publications 3
JRN152 Digital Photojournalism I 3
JRN138 Editing Cp Style 3
JRN116 Media Ethics & The Law 2
JRN118 Social Media Storytelling 2
JRN226 Convergence Technology 2
JRN228 Drone Technology And Editing Practicum 1
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
JRN151 Portfolio And Placement Preparation 2
JRN214 Digital Photojournalism II 3
JRN211 Radio Reporting 2
JRN218 TV Radio & Digital Writing & Presentation 2
JRN203 Broadcast Writing & Research 3
JRN255 News Writing II 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN219 Social Media Strategies 1
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
JRN323 Internship I 2
JRN309 Digital Design For Journalists 3
JRN319 Digital Videojournalism - Writing/Presentation 3
JRN202 Feature Writing 3
JRN207 Math For The Media 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN355 Newswriting III 2
JRN321 Podcast Journalism 2
JRN327 Social Media Technical Skills 1
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
JRN417 Public Relations Basics 3
JRN427 Internship II 2
JRN419 Digital Production Video & Radio Journalism 2
JRN425 Rhetoric And Persuasive Writing 3
JRN405 Convergence Reporting Lab - Print 1
JRN403 Digital Convergent Design 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
JRN423 Convergence Reporting Lab - Radio 1
JRN428 Social Media Analytics 1

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Journalism (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 52006)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Report on stories in an accurate, detailed, balanced, professional, and timely manner.
  2. Apply computer and technical skills to designated production and research functions in journalism.
  3. Function both independently and as a member of editorial and/or production teams.
  4. Analyze knowledge from communities, current events and public affairs, and history to interpret and express the context for designated journalism publications and/or productions.
  5. Develop strategies for personal and professional development.
  6. Comply with relevant Canadian legislation, standards, and the principles and practices of journalism.
  7. Write and edit content for the designated media platforms.
  8. Publish and/or broadcast content for the designated media platforms.
  9. Apply production skills and use production equipment in the preparation and distribution of content for the designated media platforms.

Additional Information

  • The MediaPlex Website - Journalism students bring you breaking news and current affairs from Windsor, across Canada and around the world, as it affects people in our communities.

Alumni Testimonials

I love radio. When I thought about a career, I wanted to be a jock (personality), but found myself reading news a lot and watching newscasts whenever I had free time. I decided Journalism would be my best choice because not only do you learn the basics for radio and radio reporting, you also get the convergence part as well, (print writing, television broadcast, beat reporting, photography, podcasting, computer design, and web page creation also known as HTML) which are all VITAL in any news outlet nowadays.

I graduated from St. Clair in May of 2009 and two months later I found a radio station in Fort McMurray, Alberta (CHFT FM, or 100.5 K-Rock) who was looking for a news reporter. I went through the interview process and I actually used the portfolio I made in class.

The station felt I had the proper technical skills to do the job which my boss said was due to the converged training I received. Every day it is my responsibility to cover the news that matters on a local, provincial and national scale. I am also responsible for the photography component on our company website.

The faculty at St Clair College helped me get where I am today. They were willing to work one on one with me and were always happy to give some extra help with things I didn’t understand. This program opened a world of opportunities, some of which most students won’t even discover until they have finished the program. You just have to be willing to put the effort out there and go for it. Without the convergence background, I wouldn’t be working in the field. With the way the media is evolving having the extra skills is something I’m grateful for.

Thanks to all of the professors for making this possible, and helping me discover my potential.

Nic Lindsay
Alumni, Journalism, 2009
News Reporter
CHFT-FM, Fort McMurray, Alberta