Program Overview

Journalism Education - Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Journalism Education graduate certificate is a four-course, fully online pathway to understanding the fundamentals of post-secondary/high school journalism education, from coaching students on media literacy and the role of journalism in a democratic society to advocating for their First Amendment rights. For high school teachers, it’s a potential pathway to school districts’ continuing education requirements.

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: Application deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester: Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term: Application deadline: March 15

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

• MDJ 60012: MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS (3 credits)
• MDJ 67067: TEACHING MEDIA LITERACY (3 credits)
• Certificate Electives, choose from the following: (6 credits)
  • MDJ 60701: ADVISING STUDENT MEDIA
  • MDJ 66011: REPORTING, WRITING AND EDITING FOR MEDIA
  • MDJ 67075: MEDIA CONTENT CREATION
  • MDJ 67087: ADVISING YEARBOOK
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

Graduation Requirement

• Graduation Requirements Summary - Certificates
  • Minimum Certificate GPA: 3.000
  • Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Recognize and advocate for the importance of journalism education to the future of journalism.
2. Employ best practices in journalism education.
3. Demonstrate fundamental journalism skills through the production of media content.
4. Discuss the fundamentals of media literacy and relate them to the context of journalism education.

Full Description

The Journalism Education graduate certificate is for high school teachers who currently work as advisers in scholastic media programs in their high schools, as well as media professionals seeking to take graduate coursework to facilitate teaching in the post-secondary space. The certificate is fashioned using information and guidelines from the School of Media and Journalism’s Center for Scholastic Journalism, a national clearinghouse for information for and about student journalists and their advisers, a research center on issues affecting scholastic media and an advocate for student press freedom.

Coursework in the certificate combines the pedagogy and media content students need and they can take to their classrooms from day one. From coaching a novice journalism student in news norms and routines, to sharing strategies for protecting students’ First Amendment rights, students learn what they need to know to be effective journalism educators and advisers at the high school and post-secondary levels.

Students can complete this certificate in as little as two semesters.

Why Kent State University

Why Media and Journalism?

The way humans connect and communicate is at the heart of what we do. Explore communication, design, media, technology or information at Kent State.

Award-winning Student Media

More than 300 students participate in our nationally recognized student media, which reaches thousands of people every day, delivering original reporting, information, entertainment and advertising.

Excellence in Scholastic Journalism

We are home to the Center for Scholastic Journalism, a national clearinghouse with information for and about student journalists and their advisers, a research center on issues affecting scholastic media, an educator of journalism teachers and an advocate for student press freedom and the First Amendment.