This four-course certificate (12 credits) offers an introduction to journalism and closely aligned areas of study. It can serve up to three key purposes:
Act as a sampler for students wondering if further studies in journalism might be right for them.
Offer journalism-inspired knowledge on how to gather, interpret, and present information, a skill-set of value to prospective employers.
Increase students’ capacities to follow the news with a heightened awareness of how it is put together, making them better citizens overall.
This certificate can be taken on its own; students can complete these four courses without having to take any additional courses. It can also complement many majors and minors at UFV, such as those in English, Sociology/ Anthropology, and Visual Arts. It can also be a relevant add-on to the Bachelor of Media Arts degree.
This certificate is given as a completion credential. Any student successfully completing the four courses is eligible for the certificate. Some students might complete the certificate while enrolled in their current programs, while others may be admitted to UFV for the purpose of taking the certificate.
Entrance requirements
Students currently enrolled in a UFV program should contact the Academic Advising Centre to formally declare this associate certificate as part of their studies.
Non-UFV students wishing to complete only the Essentials of Journalism associate certificate will need to meet the entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.
Note: Those who do not meet the entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Arts may apply to Qualifying Studies.
Fees and additional costs
See the Fees and Other Costs section. Other than the $25 graduation fee, there are no additional fees for the
certificate. Students will be eligible for financial aid if they are currently in a program that is eligible for student loan funding and take a minimum of nine credits per semester.
Program outline
Course
Title
Credits
CMNS 175
Writing for the Internet
3
MACS 130
Introduction to Digital Media and Communications
3
CMNS 201/ JRNL 201
Foundations of Journalism Practice
3
MACS 235/ JRNL 235
Introduction to Journalism in Canada
3
Undergraduate continuance
Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV.
Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering for 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).
Residency
Students must complete at least 50% of the credits required in the certificate (2 of the 4 courses) at UFV.
Graduation requirements
Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the four courses to be eligible for the certificate, with a minimum grade of C in any individual course. The program must be completed within 10 years.
