Beginning this fall semester, undergraduate students in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences will have the opportunity to pursue a new Undergraduate Certificate in Journalism, an 18-credit, cross-disciplinary program designed to prepare students for success in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Open to students from all majors within the Dietrich School, the certificate combines the foundational principles of excellent journalism with the emerging skills increasingly demanded across digital media industries. The program emphasizes clear and compelling writing, ethical investigative practices, transparent interviewing and reporting, and rigorous fact-checking, while also introducing students to areas such as data journalism, data visualization, and public writing.
The certificate is jointly supported through coursework across multiple departments, primarily English and Communication, allowing students to build an individualized curriculum that aligns with their academic interests and career goals. Designed as a broad program, the Journalism Certificate equips students to work across a range of platforms and formats. Students can gain hands-on experience in areas including podcasting, longform storytelling, multimedia production, and digital reporting. Coursework also addresses some of the most pressing issues facing media professionals today, including media law, the problem of "fake news," and the challenges posed by AI-generated content.
By combining professional skills with analytical and ethical perspectives, the program prepares graduates to navigate complex information environments and contribute meaningfully to public discourse. The Journalism Certificate reflects our department’s commitment to providing students with the communication skills, ethical grounding, and digital expertise needed to thrive in the information economy. Whether students pursue careers in journalism, strategic communication, public service, or related fields, this program will help them become more effective storytellers, researchers, and communicators.
Students can find more information in the Journalism Certificate information sheet or consult their academic advisor.