Journalism
Contact Information
CAS Student Advisement and Services
275 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716.645.6883
Fax: 716.645.2893
Email: riszko@buffalo.edu
John Riszko
Director of Special Major Services
About the Department
The Journalism Certificate is an interdisciplinary course of study comprised of coursework offered by the Departments of Communication, English and Media Study. It provides students with a formal educational foundation in writing and reporting for publication, as well as an understanding of the U.S. and global media. The focus is on journalism ethics and integrity standards in the profession.
Professional reporters and editors, and UB academics, teach courses within the UB Journalism Certificate Program. Practical education experiences include: writing, editing, research, and interviewing skills development; and understanding the expectations of editors.
Degrees Offered
This is not a degree program. Being awarded the Journalism Certificate is contingent upon successful completion of an undergraduate degree program at UB.
About Our Degrees
The Journalism Certificate is an interdisciplinary course of study comprised of coursework offered by the Departments of Communication, English and Media Study. The program provides students with a formal educational foundation in writing and reporting for publication as well as an understanding of the US and global media. In aulition, the program fosters an understanding of journalism ethics and integrity standards associated with the journalism profession.
The Journalism Certificate Program provides University at Buffalo students with formal educational experience in reporting and writing for publication. In aulition, the Certificate Program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the US and international media and communication fields, while fostering an understanding of journalism ethics and the responsibility of journalists to maintain this standard of integrity. Professional reporters and editors, and UB academics teach courses within the UB Journalism Certificate Program. Having professional reporters and editors in the classroom provides students with practical education experiences including: writing, editing, research, and interviewing skills development; and understanding the expectations of editors.
Acceptance Criteria
Prerequisites
- ENG 101 Writing 1 and ENG 201 Reading and Advanced Writing, or ENG 102 Writing 2, as placed, unless exempted
- COM 101 Principles of Communication
- COM 125 Introduction to the Internet
Application Information
There are no application deadlines. Students can apply for admission to the certificate as soon as they complete the certificate’s prerequisites.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Faculty for the Journalism Certificate are from the Departments of Communication, English, Media Study, and Women’s Studies.
Special Academic Opportunities
Internships
In aulition to internship opportunities available within the Departments of English, Communication, and Media Study, students have the opportunity to intern at television news stations, news radio stations, daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and alternative presses. The following is a sample of the internships available to students in the Western New York area:
Artvoice [local weekly alternative paper]
Bee Group Newspapers [chain of weekly papers serving suburbs of Western New York]
Buffalo News [major metropolitan newspaper serving Western New York and New York State]
Buffalo Report [alternative on-line press]
Buffalo Spree [monthly glossy magazine]
WGRZ [local television station]
WIVB [local television station]
WKBW [local television station]
Dunkirk Evening Observer [newspaper]
Generation [UB student magazine]
Niagara Gazette [local newspaper]
Spectrum [UB student newspaper]
Sun Publications [weekly newspapers serving suburban Western New York]
Tonawanda News [local newspaper]
WBEN-AM [local radio station]
Western New York Catholic [monthly newspaper]
Heritage Magazine [quarterly local history magazine]
WNED-AM [local public radio station]
WNED-TV [local public television station]
Undergraduate Research
Students are encouraged to pursue research oriented initiatives with faculty who participate in the certificate.
Independent Study
Independent studies at UB normally require admission to the major as a prerequisite. Students who wish to pursue an independent study should first obtain the permission of the certificate’s program advisor and then identify a member of the faculty who would be willing to sponsor their work.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Journalism
Communication
English
Media Study
Minors that Complement Journalism
English
Media Study
Advising Information
Students interested in the Journalism Certificate Program should seek advisement on course selection from the special major advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement and Services, 275 Park Hall.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 overall, and a minumum of 2.5 in all electives and core courses within the program, are required to earn the certificate.
Career Information
Job growth is expected in new media areas, such as online newspapers and magazines. Talented writers who can handle highly specialized scientific or technical subjects have an advantage. The number of job openings in the newspaper and broadcasting industries—in which news analysts, reporters, and correspondents are employed—is sensitive to economic ups and downs, because these industries depend on advertising revenue.
News analysts, reporters, and correspondents held about 66,000 jobs in 2002. About 60 percent worked for newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers. Another 25 percent worked in radio and television broadcasting. About 4,100 news analysts, reporters, and correspondents were self-employed.
Careers Coices
There are three primary types of journalism careers: news analysts, reporters, and news correspondents.
News analysts examine, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources. They also are called newscasters or news anchors.
Reporters investigate leads and news tips, look at documents, observe events at the scene, and interview people. Reporters take notes and also may take photographs or shoot videos. At their office, they organize the material, determine the focus or emphasis, write their stories, and edit accompanying video material.
News correspondents report on news occurring in the large U.S. and foreign cities where they are stationed. Reporters on small publications cover all aspects of the news. They take photographs, write headlines, lay out pages, edit wire service stories, and write editorials.
Other journalism-related careers include: Columnists, sportswriters, weathercasters, newscasters, news anchors, commentators, and news writers. See Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition.
Salary Information
Advertising and related services
Employment: 220
Hourly mean wage: $19.36
Annual mean wage: $40,280
Cable and other subscription programming
Employment: 720
Hourly mean wage: $26.17
Annual mean wage: $54,430
Independent artists, writers, and performers
Employment: 80
Hourly mean wage: $34.80
Annual mean wage: $72,390
Internet publishing and broadcasting
Employment: 110
Hourly mean wage: $26.92
Annual mean wage: $55,990
Management of companies and enterprises
Employment: 610
Hourly mean wage: $23.37
Annual mean wage: $48,620
Other information services
Employment: 990
Hourly mean wage: $19.36
Annual mean wage: $40,260
Radio and television broadcasting
Employment: 16,350
Hourly mean wage: $23.29
Annual mean wage: $48,450
Securities and commodity exchanges
Employment: 120
Hourly mean wage: $23.30
Annual mean wage: $48,460
Career Hints
Experience on school newspapers or broadcasting stations and internships with news organizations is useful, as are computer graphics and desktop publishing skills.
Knowledge of news photography also is valuable for entry-level positions.
Large-city newspapers and stations also may prefer candidates with degrees in subject-matter specialties such as economics, political science, or business.
Employers report that practical experience is the most important part of education and training (see the Department of Labor).
Post-Undergraduate Opportunities
Eligible students who complete the certificate, in aulition to a bachelor’s degree at UB, will have the opportunity to apply to the graduate programs in English, Communication, and Media Study, as well as to any other graduate program available at UB.
Aulitional Resources
Jobs in Journalism
Riley Guide [Weekly updated job board in writing, broadcasting, and journalism]
Jeff Gaulin's Journalism Job Board [Journalism-related job information]
Vocational Information Center [Broadcast media and journalism career guide]
Students can visit the Office of Career Services for information regarding career options and other employment-related opportunities.