Online journalism courses
Uncover new skills and career opportunities with an online journalism course.
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The journalism industry has seen a massive shake-up in recent years, due to the explosion of digital technologies and the increased consumption of news through online channels. As such, the demand for journalists with skills across the digital spectrum is higher than ever.
Journalism is a profession that has many entry pathways, where studying a degree in journalism is not absolutely mandatory. Some journalists have formal qualifications in media, communications or journalism, while others pivot into a career in journalism as a writer or content producer.
If you want to become a journalist or upskill in a certain area, such as writing for the web, then you should consider taking an online journalism course.
Where can I find online journalism courses?
What online journalism courses are available to study?
Short Courses
Course | Information | Institution |
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How to be a Journalist – The Complete Guide to Journalism | Course length: 3 hours Subjects covered: What is journalism, Headlines, Building your story, Interview skills, Feature writing, Specialist reporting, Defamation and Style guide. | |
Digital Journalism 101 | Course length: 1.5 hours Subjects covered: 3 pillars of making the perfect pitch, Key formats that high authority publications use to tell stories, How to use social media to find editors and grow your network, How to negotiate pay effectively, and turn a one-off gig into a long-term job. | |
Mobile Video Journalism: iPhone Video Course for Journalists | Course length: 6 hours Subjects covered: Best practices for producing, filming and editing mobile video and How to develop a mobile video story from start to finish. |
Certifications
Course | Information | Institution |
---|---|---|
Journalism Certificate | Course length: Varies Subjects covered: The world of journalism, News stories, Interviewing, Legal pitfalls for journalists, Editing and proofreading and Publishing. |
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Diploma of Journalism (Freelance Journalism) | Course length: Up to 1 year Subjects covered: Getting started in freelance journalism, Developing writing styles and Writing for a diverse industry. |
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Graduate Diploma of Journalism | Course length: 1 year Subjects covered: Law, media and communication, Multimedia journalism, Broadcast journalism, International news and Investigative and narrative journalism. |
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Become a Journalist: Report the news | Course length: 6 months Subjects covered: What is news?, Gathering and developing news and Journalism, the future, and you. |
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Bachelor's Degree
Course | Information | Institution |
---|---|---|
Bachelor of Communication | Course length: 3 years Subjects covered: Introduction to Social Media, News Reporting, Public Relations: Theory and Practice, Content Creation for Media, Media Law and Ethics, Broadcast Journalism and News Writing |
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Bachelor of Media and Communication | Course length: 3 years Subjects covered: Media content creation, Global media industries, Professional communication practice, Sports/ Advertising/ Media and Digital Communities. |
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Bachelor of Arts (major in Journalism) | Course length: 3 years Subjects covered: News and politics, Styles and genres of journalism, News writing and ethics, News and information gathering, Media law, Public writing, International journalism and Broadcast journalism. |
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Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) | Course length: 3 years Subjects covered: Academic and professional communications, Culture to cultures, Creative writing, Power, politics and the Internet, Web media and Writing on the web. |
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Bachelor of Marketing and Communication | Course length: 3 years Subjects covered: Public relations: Theory and Practice, Media, law and ethics and Communication management in practice. |
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Postgraduate Degree
Course | Information | Institution |
---|---|---|
Master of Communication | Course length: 1.5 years Subjects covered: Communication in organisations, Issues, Crises and reputation and Digital media practice. |
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Master of Arts (Editing & Publishing) | Course length: 1.5 years Subjects covered: Introduction to editing and publishing, Writing for editors, Editing in practice, Digital publishing internship, Book design and Production management. |
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Who should take an online journalism course?
Journalism at its core is about finding information and passing it on to others. If you are someone who enjoys communicating through researching, writing, capturing images/videos and storytelling, then journalism could be perfect for you.
Broadly speaking, you may consider taking an online journalism course if you are:
- Considering starting a career in journalism.
- Looking to upskill or retrain yourself in certain areas, such as digital journalism.
What topics are covered in an online journalism course?
Class topics will depend on whether it is a short course, certification or degree. Some of the topics will include:
- Media, society and communications practice
- Developing research and analytical skills
- Broadcast journalism
- Multimedia journalism
- International journalism
- Law and ethics in journalism
- Writing for diverse cultures and industry
How long does a course take to complete?
The length of an online journalism course depends on whether it is a short training course, certification or a university degree.
A short course or certificate can be anywhere between six hours to one year. A bachelor's degree usually takes three years full-time, while a master's degree can take around 1.5 years to complete full-time.
All the courses listed above are 100% online, so you have the option of completing the course full-time, part-time or at your own pace.
What are the career opportunities after taking a journalism course?
A journalism degree offers a range of career opportunities, with varying industries and salaries. For example, if you love capturing moments on camera through photography or film, then you can explore photo or video journalism. If you prefer to research, interview people and write in a desk environment, then a career in print or online journalism may be your best bet. Studying journalism can also lead you to a career in teaching, publishing, marketing and social media.
Some jobs that you can take on after studying an online journalism course include:
- Print journalist
- Freelance journalist
- Editor
- Radio journalist
- Broadcast journalist
- Copywriter
- Photojournalist
- Technical writer
Given the fast-paced nature of the news cycle, journalists should be organised and deadline-oriented. A career in journalism can also be very interesting and rewarding, with many pathways to advance and specialise in certain industries.
What equipment and software will I need?
You will need to have a laptop or computer with stable Internet access and computing skills. In addition, you may need access to software for:
- Audio recording
- Video recording
- Transcribing interviews
- Photo editing
- Audio/video editing
- Social media management platform such as Combin
- Website management platform such as WordPress
See the latest deals for online journalism courses
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