Journalism
Contact Information
321 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4610
Phone: 716.645.2575 ext. 1007
Fax: 716.645.5980
Email: ub-journalism@buffalo.edu
Dr. Charity Vogel and Andrew Galarneau
Co-Directors
cavogel@buffalo.edu
About the Program
*Not a baccalaureate degree program
Today’s media recruiters want candidates with more than solid reporting and story-writing skills. They want applicants with specialized knowledge in complicated subject areas – plus the ability to delve into those areas and provide meaningful contexts for news events, for readers and viewers.
The journalism certificate program at UB provides students with an educational foundation in writing and reporting for publication, emphasizing hands-on workshops and internships designed to transition students into the professional world. Classes concentrate on journalistic skills including feature writing, news reporting, and opinion writing.
In addition, the program fosters an understanding of U.S. and global media, journalism ethics and integrity standards associated with the journalism profession. It’s an interdisciplinary course of study comprised of coursework offered by the Departments of English, Communication, and Media Study.
The certificate should be viewed as an accompaniment to a student’s major course of studies. Concentrating on subjects such as business, law, history or political science for the core of undergraduate studies will give students a foundation to draw on in pursuing a journalism career.
The journalism certificate is not a baccalaureate degree program. It’s designed to help students master the tools of journalism while offering the freedom to concentrate on core knowledge areas – putting students on the right track to succeed in the professional media world.
About Our Degrees
The Journalism Certificate 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 addition, the program fosters an understanding of journalism ethics and integrity standards associated with the journalism profession. The courses are taught by UB faculty as well as professional reporters and editors working for local media.
Having professional reporters and editors in the classroom provides students with practical education experiences including: writing, editing, research, interviewing skills development, and understanding the expectations of editors.
Acceptance Criteria
Applicants should have completed ENG 101 and ENG 201 or equivalent courses. Minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 overall.
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall in required elective certificate courses in order to remain in the program.
Application Information
Students may apply for admission to the certificate by contacting the program directors.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Faculty from the Departments of Communication, English, and Media Study as well as professional reporters and editors of local media teach courses for the Journalism Certificate. The directors of the program are Dr. Charity Vogel and Andrew Galarneau, professional journalists in the Buffalo community.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Internships
In addition to internship opportunities available within the Departments of English, Communication, and Media Study, students have the opportunity to intern at national and local television news stations, news radio stations, web publications, daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and alternative presses. Please see the program directors for internship opportunities.
Students are encouraged to pursue research oriented initiatives with faculty whose expertise relate to this course of study.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Journalism
Minors that Complement Journalism
Career Information and Further Study
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 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.
Career Choices
Career opportunities in journalism include: reporter, editor, copyeditor, layout/design specialist, photographer, columnist, freelance writer, broadcast or radio journalist, and many others.
Salary Information
Salaries in journalism fields vary widely by the media type, outlet and location. Salaries range from the low $20s ( for a cub reporter at a small newspaper) to seven figures (for a successful screenwriter).
Career Hints
Experience on school newspapers or broadcasting stations and internships with news organizations are useful, as are computer graphics and desktop publishing skills.
Knowledge of news photography can also be 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 addition 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.
Additional Resources
Editor and Publisher Magazine
The Society of Professional Journalists
Journalismjobs.com
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Communication
- Department of English
- Department of Media Study
Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:11 EST