Contemporary Journalism
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code6443
- Credential TypeOntario College Graduate Certificate
- SchoolSchool of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
- Program TypeGraduate Certificate program
- Program Length1 year/ 3 semesters
- LocationStory Arts Centre
- Emaildlindell@centennialcollege.ca
- Technology Requirements
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Faculty Bios
- Advising
Contemporary Journalism is a three-semester graduate certificate program that will explore new tools, trends and directions in journalism while emphasizing sourced, credible and verifiable storytelling. You'll learn in an interactive environment with courses covering news reporting, writing, editing and visual storytelling while exploring social media, mobile and emerging technologies (virtual reality), and multimedia storytelling and data journalism.
In a digital world, the smartphone is increasingly the newsroom for journalists and the living room for the audience. The Contemporary Journalism program will emphasize using mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, to source, produce and share credible multimedia journalism.
The program will culminate with entrepreneurial and professional practice elements, during which you'll demonstrate and refine your skills in today's rapidly evolving media environment.
Follow @CentennialJourn and @TorontoObserver on Twitter.
Program Overview
Contemporary Journalism is a three-semester graduate certificate program that will explore new tools, trends and directions in journalism while emphasizing sourced, credible and verifiable storytelling. You'll learn in an interactive environment with courses covering news reporting, writing, editing and visual storytelling while exploring social media, mobile and emerging technologies (virtual reality), and multimedia storytelling and data journalism.
In a digital world, the smartphone is increasingly the newsroom for journalists and the living room for the audience. The Contemporary Journalism program will emphasize using mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, to source, produce and share credible multimedia journalism.
The program will culminate with entrepreneurial and professional practice elements, during which you'll demonstrate and refine your skills in today's rapidly evolving media environment.
Follow @CentennialJourn and @TorontoObserver on Twitter.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Future Alumni
Graduates of the program will find employment in media companies, including those practicing journalism and those, such as content agencies, that require the skills of a journalist to tell stories. Graduates will also find roles in communications and public relations fields and will be equipped with the skills required to be independent and entrepreneurial contractors and freelancers.
Program Highlights
In this program, you'll:
- Develop new multiplatform, digital and social media skills for the evolving world of reporting and sharing;
- Learn to write, produce and share stories in an energetic, dynamic and hands-on environment, led by a faculty of seasoned professionals and educators drawn from all sectors of the industry;
- Gain entrepreneurial skills along with personal branding abilities to help you stand out in the industry;
- Collaborate with the other students enrolled in programs such as photography, public relations, film and television, music, art, theatre and interactive media management;
- Participate in client-focused projects.
Career Outlook
- Multimedia journalist
- Reporter
- Writer
- Story Producer
- Digital Content Specialist
- Content Marketer
- Communications professional
Education Pathways
The Contemporary Journalism graduate certificate program is part of a joint program offering in partnership with the University of Toronto, Scarborough (UTSC). This joint program allows students the opportunity to earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from UTSC in conjunction with the Contemporary Journalism graduate certificate. For more information, visit: //www.utsc.utoronto.ca/jtprogs/
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONCAT.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Degree or a three-year college diploma in any discipline
- We will consider applicants who have successfully completed partial post-secondary education (minimum two years) and have relevant work experience
Additional Requirements
Note:
Students who are accepted into the program will be invited to:
- Submit a resume and/or complete an intake questionnaire after receiving their offer
- Attend a mandatory Program Welcome Session* online, prior to program start up
- Complete an English language assessment upon registration. Students who test below the required COMM 170/171 English proficiency level will take the ENGL-700 Professional English Communications course or the pre-requisite English COMM course for ENGL-700 in the first semester.
*All new students must attend a session prior to their program start date.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $150 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on three semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (3 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $5,538.00 | $1,957.59 | $7,495.59 |
| International | $25,722.00 | $2,361.70 | $28,083.70 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 437-568-4799, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications
- MacBook Pro 13-inch
- 8G of RAM
- Smartphone with a minimum of 64 GB internal storage
- FiLMiC Pro app and LumaFusion editing app (iPhones) or Kinemaster (free) (Android)
- Earbuds and/or headphones, simple external lavalier (lapel) microphone and cable that fits smartphone and DSLR camera
- Large capacity external hard drive, USB key, Google Drive or Dropbox
Recommended Hardware
- tripod and mic stand
Minimum Required Software
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 2010 or higher version
- Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Audition or Adobe Creative Cloud
DSLR camera and gear
Students should look for a DSLR that offers the following key functions and technologies:
- Minimum four-thirds or DX type sensor
- Minimum 12 megapixelInterchangeable lenses
- Optional manual exposure mode
- Ability to manually change aperture, shutter speed and ISO
- Raw format capabilities
- Ability to capture video with minimum 720-pixel resolution
- Ability to accept off-camera microphone
- Ability to accept external flash
- Through-the-lens viewing
Recommended entry level DSLRs from Nikon and Canon
- Nikon D 5200 (with 18-55mm lens)
- Nikon D 3200 (with 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm lens)
- Canon EOS Rebel SL1 W (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens)
- Canon EOS Rebel T5i (with lens)
- Canon EOS Rebel T3i (with lens)
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.