Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate banner image Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate banner image Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate banner image

Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate


We are now accepting applications for the 2024/2025 academic year


Start Date: January


Location: Prince of Wales Campus


Length: 1 Year


Credential: Post-Graduate Certificate, Journalism and Communications


Program Availability: Winter 2024 Term


Canadian Applicants
Waiting list

International Applicants
Waiting list


Program Availability: Winter 2025 Term


Canadian Applicants
Open

International Applicants
Open

The Journalism & Communications Post-Graduate Certificate program is designed for students who have already graduated from college or university and want to upgrade their writing and communications skills and increase their employability. 

In just one year, you will learn to write a basic news story, practice storytelling techniques, develop the skills to interview people effectively, and learn how to use social media to promote your story. You will hone your reporting skills in print, online, and broadcast settings. 

You will also develop practical skills to succeed in the world of freelance writing and content creation by learning how to pitch stories, invoice, file taxes and set up your own website.

At the end of your first term, you will complete a practicum to get a sense of what it’s like to work in a professional setting.

In your second term, you will study creative non-fiction and learn the techniques to pitch, research, and produce creative non-fiction work. Using the skills and techniques developed in this course, you will produce a significant feature-length project. Past projects have included a podcast episode, a chapter of a book, short video documentaries, and magazine-length articles.

This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre - take a virtual tour.

INTERNSHIPS


Your internship placement provides you with the opportunity to enhance the skills you learn in the classroom. 

CAREERS AND ADVENTURES!


Read testimonials from some of our graduates. Whether they are working for print, broadcast, or web-based media, are freelancing or in a related field, or have been doing something completely different, such as teaching, their Journalism training has helped them achieve their goals.

If you're an adventurous spirit, you'll appreciate these stories from Journalism graduates Tori Vail and Gwydion Morris, and the interview that Journalism alumna Jillianne Hamilton did with Matthew Lawrence, who biked across North America...twice!

 

  • Post-secondary degree or two-year post-secondary diploma
  • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program. 

Note:

2023/2024 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

1st Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $4,450 $9,552
Fees $797 $1,545
Other Costs NA NA
Total $5,247 $11,097
/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

1 Year

Tuition $4,450
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $445
Fitness Centre Fee $80
Graduation Fee $100
Total payable to Holland College $5,247
   
1st installment due January 8 $3,022
2nd installment due September 5 $2,225

 

International Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

1 Year

Tuition* $9,552
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $1,195
Fitness Centre Fee $80
Graduation Fee $100
Total payable to Holland College $11,097
   
1st installment due January 9 $8,872
2nd installment due September 7 $2,225

*International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

  • Daily or weekly newspapers
  • Public relations firms
  • Communications departments
  • Information services
  • Radio and television stations
  • Freelance writing

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:JRNL-1010

Basic News

Learn the importance of accuracy, spelling and grammar, style, note-taking, quotes and paraphrasing, and writing in a clear and concise manner. Develop the ability to write a news story which includes the lead, (first paragraph), often the most difficult part of the story to write, to the support paragraphs that follow. Discover the elements of presenting information used to maintain reader interest.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1025

Storytelling 1

Develop an understanding of advanced storytelling techniques used in newswriting. Present the 5Ws and various structures designed to make stories more engaging to readers. Bring a story to life by finding and writing about people who are directly involved in a story and people who will feel the consequences of an action, event or situation.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1035

Social Media and the News

Learn to plan, develop, and create content that is suitable and engaging across social media platforms; including text and photos with an objective of pushing that engagement towards industry news sources and blogs. Examine photographs suitable to accompany a variety of stories and learn the importance of organization and flow of the news story.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1040

Multimedia Reporting

Learn the building blocks and processes of news reporting and presentation, concentrating on the basic elements, variables and principles of news gathering. Explore problem-solving techniques as applied to various technical skills. Discover the professional standards, routines and demands of a news-gathering organization.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1045

Editing

An introductory course in basic copy editing skills focused on editing headlines, editing cutlines for photos, using proper English grammar, using industry standard spelling according to the Canadian Press style guide, and using industry-based software for basic video editing.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1055

Interviewing I

Enhance the impact of photographs as a story telling device. Explore elements of newspaper layout and design including the use of graphics and editing techniques. Examine photographs suitable to accompany a variety of stories and learn the importance of organization and flow within the layout of the story. Learn to develop viabile story proposals and the interview skills required to gather information for a news story.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2015

Creative Non-Fiction

Explore important works of creative non-fiction and analyze and discuss in terms of style and structure. Learn techniques to pitch, research and produce feature-length creative non-fiction work.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2120

Interviewing II

Newspaper photography involves the ability to first recognize, and then to shoot a variety of photographs in a way that helps tell readers a story. Learn to create publishable quality photographs for a variety of settings and circumstances. Develop viabile story proposals and utilize interview skills required to gather information for a news story.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2165

Broadcast Journalism

Build on journalism skills of researching, reporting and interviewing and apply them to video and audio presentation. Develop planning, storyboarding, writing and presentation skills while enhancing technical ability by using multimedia equipment and software.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2190

Freelancing

Explore the use of technology and business processes while learning how to transfer journalistic and communication skills to create and manage a freelancing practice.

Credit Value:3


Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate background image Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate background image Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate background image

In just two semesters I gained confidence in my writing and editing skills and learned how to take good photos and video footage. All things I use for my blog. Every day I learned something new from instructors who made going back to school for a 40-something an absolute joy. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to improve their writing and storytelling skills. ~ Julia, Class of 2022

 

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Resources