Journalism | St. Clair College
Program Code: B894
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September
Contact:
Veronique Mandal
519-972-2727 ext. 4292

Program Overview

Students looking for a career in film, journalism and social media storytelling will have the distinction of learning at the 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 multi-platform storytelling and production, which means you will learn to write and file stories for all media - film, television, radio, print and online.

The curriculum provides students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable across multiple career paths.

Students will produce "on-deadline" content for a variety of media productions. They will be expected to adapt their storytelling for multiple media deliveries and to enhance their stories with photography, audio or video. Much of the course work is hands-on and as such, students must be strong self-starters and motivated to create content for film, print, social media, radio and television broadcasting and the web.

Successful applicants will have a very strong interest in creative storytelling and media strategies. They will engage in a wide range of activities such as filmmaking, drone video and photography, podcasting, social media content creation, news and documentary formats. They must have above-average writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines while working under pressure.

Students considering this program should have a sense of creativity and curiosity.

Program Highlights

  • The MediaPlex is the only one of its kind in Canada and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing for opportunities such as live broadcasting and in-the-field reporting.
  • Students learn how to work across all media platforms including filmmaking, online, social media, print, television and radio.
  • Students will learn how to make a movie from inception to completion – including pitching, screenwriting, casting, directing, producing, lighting, sound, shooting and post-production editing.
  • Social media storytelling and strategic planning will be a highlight of this program, along with an understanding of each platform's technical tools and practical analytics.
  • Multi-platform journalism is taught exclusively at this campus, providing students with employable skills for the newsrooms of the 21st century.
  • The curriculum will provide students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable in multiple industries

Career Opportunities

Graduates will find opportunities in multiple fields such as radio, television, print, film and documentary making, content creation, marketing, digital channel entrepreneurship, video production and editing, photography, graphic design, social media and brand management. They will also be qualified for work in commercial communications such as real estate - writing, drone video and photography. The multi-platform skills gained in this program contribute to successful employment in more than 50 job markets.

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 & Entertainment 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:

2024-2025 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are 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 on 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