Journalism and Communications banner image Journalism and Communications banner image Journalism and Communications banner image

Journalism and Communications


Start Date: September


Location: Prince of Wales Campus


Length: 2 Years


Credential: Diploma, Journalist


Program Availability: Fall 2024 Term

Canadian Applicants: Open

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Open

Other International Applicants: Waiting list


The Journalism and Communications program places a premium on clear, concise, accurate writing in a timely fashion. This program prepares students to become expert storytellers for multiple platforms; from written print and digital content to digital photography, videos, and audio storytelling.  Courses in reporting fundamentals, advanced storytelling, broadcast, social media, critical thinking, ethics, politics, and law will prepare students for new and exciting jobs as digital journalists, mobile-journalists, communications specialists, content providers, and print journalists.

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

INTERNSHIPS

Two internship placements provide 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!

DEGREE PATHWAYS


This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.

Partner Institution Credential Details of Agreement
University of New Brunswick - Saint John, Saint John, N.B. Bachelor of Applied Management Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree.
University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, P.E.I. Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism Graduates receive up to 60 credit hours toward Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree.
Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, N.S. Bachelor of Public Relations Graduates receive 60 credits toward a Bachelor of Public Relations degree.
Royal Roads University, Victoria, B.C. Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication Graduates receive two years of credit toward the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication.
  • Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
  • Grade 11 or 12 academic English, minimum of 65%
  • Submission of a short personal essay describing why you have chosen to study journalism and communications
  • 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.

NOTES:

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 $9,550
Fees $697 $1,447
Other Costs NA NA
Total $5,147 $10,997

2nd Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $4,087 $9,087
Fees $872 $1,622
Other Costs NA NA
Total $4,959 $10,709
/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

First Year

Second Year

Tuition $4,450 $4,087
Lab Fee - $75
Student Union $172 $172
Health Insurance Fee $445 $445
Fitness Centre Fee $80 $80
Graduation Fee $100
Total payable to Holland College $5,147 $4,959
     
1st installment due September 5  $2,922 $3,022
2nd installment due January 8  $2,225 $1,937

 

International Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

First Year

Second Year

Tuition* $9,550 $9,087
Lab Fee - $75
Student Union $172 $172
Health Insurance Fee $1,195 $1,195
Fitness Centre Fee $80 $80
Graduation Fee $100
Total payable to Holland College $10,997 $10,709
     
1st installment due September 5 $8,772 $8,772
2nd installment due January 8 $2,225 $1,937

*Includes the International Student Fee.

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

DEGREE PATHWAYS

Many Holland College programs have degree pathway agreements with other post-secondary institutions. You can receive credit for your Holland College diploma toward a university degree or other post-graduate credential, saving you time and money! Find out more on the Degree Pathways page.

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-1000

Ethics and the Media

Discover the fundamental building blocks and processes of applying ethical standards and frameworks required for news reporting and communications. Students develop problem-solving techniques applied to the various ethical issues that they face in their work.

Credit Value:3


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-1020

Politics and the Media

Develop an understanding of the concepts and principles that govern the relationship between the media and various levels of government. Learn how our lives are intimately influenced by politics while enhancing the ability to analyze and report on how the political system works.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1025

Storytelling 1

Develop advanced storytelling techniques used in writing for news and communications. Present the 5Ws and various structures designed to make stories more engaging to readers. Students 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 online 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 online story.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1040

Multimedia Reporting

Learn the building blocks and processes of news reporting, communications writing, and presentation. Explore problem-solving techniques as applied to various technical skills. Discover the professional standards, and routines and demands of news and communications organizations.

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

Learn to develop the interview skills required to gather purposeful material from an interview subject for a news or communications story. Explore several techniques to extract specific information from an interview subject to create engaging stories. Students learn from pros, practice techniques in the classroom, and discover how to develop interviews into stories.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-1090

Science and the Media

Explore the concepts and principles that govern the relationship between science and the media. Develop analytical and problem solving techniques used by journalists to prepare them to understand and report on science news stories.

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-2060

Law and the Media

Develop an understanding of the legal concepts and principles that govern the relationship between the media, the courts and the public. Learn the mechanics of the Canadian legal system and how our lives are intimately influenced by the law.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2080

Manipulation and the Media

Develop an understanding of the relationship between the media, interest groups and the public. Discover how our lives are intimately influenced by manipuation of messages designed to reach the public. Learn how to anticipate and avoid many of the common tactics used by interest groups seeking to manipulate the media.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2100

The Reporting and Communications Workshop

Learn how to investigate, record, write, edit, present, and produce multimedia news and communications pieces that include written, audio, and video content.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2120

Interviewing II

Learn to further develop and master the interview skills required to gather purposeful material from an interview subject for a news or communications story. Explore several techniques to extract specific information from an interview subject to create engaging stories. Students learn from pros, practice techniques in the classroom, and discover how to develop interviews into stories.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2140

Feature Writing

Utilize story structures to show people doing things, to let subjects speak and to allow action and dialogue anecdotes to carry the piece. Bring a story to life by learning to find and write about people who are directly involved in a story and about people who will feel the consequences of an action, event or situation.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:JRNL-2155

Storytelling 2

Develop advanced storytelling techniques used in newswriting. Utilize 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-2160

Beat Reporting

Journalists may limit their coverage of news and events to one specialty area, or beat. Explore various beats from diverse areas of inquiry. Examine issues and news events from these areas and become familiar with the jargon. Cultivate sources, cover events and write stories to develop an understanding of beats.

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


Course Code:PRAC-2135

Journalism and Communications Practicum

The practicum provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate and build on the skills acquired during formal instruction. Students are exposed to the professional standards, routines and demands of an organization, and are expected to add value through the application of their skills and abilities. Students explore positions across various news media and communications departments. Students are to assume the duties normally expected of an entry-level person in a similar position with appropriate supervision.

Credit Value:3


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Holland College’s Journalism and Communications program has been invaluable to me, both academically and personally. Throughout the two years of the program, I’ve learned many key reporting skills and gained confidence to step out of my comfort zone as a reporter. I was also able to attain the academic internship of my dreams – working for The Globe and Mail, something I know I would not have been able to achieve on my own.

Cindy, Class of 2021

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Journalism and Communications Post-Graduate Certificate

This one-year post-graduate certificate program helps to prepare you for a career as a journalist, communication professional, freelancer or content creator. You will practice storytelling techniques and learn to write a basic news story, develop effective interview skills and learn how to promote your work.

Marketing and Advertising Management

Study Marketing and Advertising Management at Holland College to learn the skills you'll need to conduct market research, develop a marketing strategy and execute marketing communications plans. Get ready for a career in this diverse and expanding field with this two-year program.

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Resources