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Bachelor of Journalism

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Description

Note: This program is currently under review. Applicants who successfully complete the application process for the Fall 2010 intake but are not accepted because the program is full should contact the Chair of the program and/or Advising for assistance in course planning. Such students could take courses during 2010/2011 that meet Bachelor of Journalism requirements.

The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as multi-media reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and freelancers. It also gives students transferable skills that can be put to use in many fields of endeavour, including working in a deadline-driven environment, learning how to use social media and journalistic research skills in professional settings, and understanding the many facets of the collection and dissemination of information via the media.

This four-year degree program offers students several options. They can earn their Bachelor of 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. Many faculty members continue to work as journalists.

Career Opportunities

The Journalism program prepares graduates to:

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:

Applicants must also provide the following by the application deadline:

Applicants must attend an interview session with a Journalism faculty member at Kwantlen's Richmond campus at a designated time after acceptance of the application and required materials. 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 ith out-of-town applicants.)

During this appointment, 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 with limited computer skills 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 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 general education courses at other post-secondary institutions can apply to have those credits transferred towards the degree.

Note: students with credentials equivalent to Kwantlen's journalism diploma are not required to submit the essay or do the current events quiz.

Content

The Bachelor of 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:

Successful applicants may take their general education and non-discipline specific courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term.

Industry personnel may contact the Program Chair to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Chair and 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 on-line and print 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

First-year Political Science* (3 credits)

Second Year

**Work experience: Students spend four weeks working full-time at a print and/or online 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

In the final two years of the Bachelor of Journalism program, students complete 60 credits. At least 30 credits come from upper-level journalism courses, which include specialized writing and multi-media skills for magazines and large projects, the history of Canadian journalism, advanced computer-assisted reporting and research, and more. Fourth-year students complete a one-month work experience in any approved area of journalism.

The remaining credits come from general education disciplines outside of journalism.

To meet all general education requirements, students must successfully complete 30 additional general education credits, nine of them in the first two years:

During years one and two:

During years three and four:

Applicants who have completed courses or hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and wish to apply these courses to the general 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:

Work Experience II: This off-campus placement allows students to work in a different environment than the one experienced in the diploma program, in order to explore a range of job possibilities.

6 credits of upper-level courses from the approved Journalism Elective list

Approved elective journalism courses (3 credits each) for Years 3 and 4 include:

Journalism Degree and Diploma credit calculations

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

Year Required courses Required elective Total credits

1

JRNL 1100, 1123, 1130, 1141, 1160, 1231, 1261, 1262, 1265, 1273 (25.5 cr)

1st year English

1st year Political Science (6.0 cr)

31.5 cr

2

JRNL 2301, 2332, 2353, 2373, 2401, 2402, 2463, 2471, 2477 (25.5 cr)

1st year Humanities, Social Science or Science (3 cr)

28.5 cr
Diploma exit point 60.0 cr

3 & 4 (Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year)

JRNL 3150, 3200, 4101, 4131, 4140, 4200, 4210, 4240 (24.0 cr)

Two of JRNL 3100, 3130, 3220, 3250 (6.0 cr)

2 lower level courses from two disciplines other than those selected in Year 1 and 2 (6.0 cr)

For area of concentration, select 2 lower level courses and 3 upper level courses in one of the subjects selected in Year 1 and 2 and above (15.0 cr)

For additional electives, select 3 courses from JRNL, general education, or professional programs such as Public Relations (9.0 cr)

Students who have achieved high academic standing may choose to complete an Honours degree (see information under Bachelor of Applied Journalism (Honours)).
Total Year 3 and 4 60.0 cr
Degree exit point 120.0 cr

Graduation

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