This program is delivered at our downtown campus, the MediaPlex. If you’re staying in residence, which is located at our main campus, it is a quick 20 minute bus ride to our downtown campuses. The bus stops directly behind the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. The MediaPlex is one block south of the Centre for the Arts.
Program Overview
Students looking for a career as a journalist will have the distinction of learning at our new MediaPlex located in downtown Windsor. Just steps from the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, it is the only one of its kind in Canada and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support “convergence” news reporting which means you will learn to write and file stories for all media platforms - television, radio, print, and online.
The curriculum will provide students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable across all media platforms.
Students will experience actual “on-deadline” news filing, be expected to adapt their story for multiple media deliveries and to back up their stories with photography, audio or video. Much of the course work is “in field,” and as such, students must be strong self-starters and motivated to seek out, interview and write stories on a frequent basis. Successful applicants will have a very strong interest in news and current affairs. They must have above average writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines while working under pressure. They should also have an innate sense of curiosity.
Program Highlights
- 2 media field placements
- The MediaPlex is the only one of its kind in Canada and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
- "Convergence" journalism is taught exclusively at this campus, providing students with employable skills for the newsrooms of the 21st century.
- Students learn how to work across all media platforms including on-line, print, television and radio.
- The curriculum will provide students with cutting edge knowledge and skills making them highly marketable across all media platforms.
- Journalism students get to run The MediaPlex Website bringing you breaking news and current affairs from Windsor, across Canada and around the world, as it affects people in our communities.
Career Opportunities
The opportunities for budding journalists are expanding significantly in traditional news reporting and photojournalism for print, radio and television. The web has opened new avenues for internet news provider/ researcher, web site designer and convergence media professionals (providing stories to all media).
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for admission to this program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN155 | News Writing | 4 |
JRN135 | Intro To Desktop Publications | 3 |
JRN152 | Digital Photojournalism I | 3 |
JRN138 | Editing Cp Style | 3 |
JRN116 | Media Ethics & The Law | 2 |
JRN118 | Social Media Storytelling | 2 |
JRN226 | Convergence Technology | 2 |
JRN139 | Drone Technology And Media Production | 1 |
Semester 2
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN151 | Portfolio And Placement Preparation | 2 |
JRN214 | Digital Photojournalism II | 3 |
JRN211 | Radio Reporting | 2 |
JRN218 | TV Radio & Digital Writing & Presentation | 2 |
JRN203 | Broadcast Writing & Research | 3 |
JRN255 | News Writing II | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN219 | Social Media Strategies | 1 |
Semester 3
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN323 | Internship I | 2 |
JRN319 | Digital Videojournalism - Writing/Presentation | 3 |
JRN202 | Feature Writing | 3 |
JRN207 | Math For The Media | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN355 | Newswriting III | 2 |
JRN321 | Podcast Journalism | 2 |
JRN327 | Social Media Technical Skills | 1 |
Semester 4
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN417 | Public Relations Basics | 3 |
JRN427 | Internship II | 2 |
JRN419 | Digital Production Video & Radio Journalism | 2 |
JRN425 | Rhetoric And Persuasive Writing | 3 |
JRN405 | Convergence Reporting Lab - Print | 1 |
JRN403 | Digital Convergent Design | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN423 | Convergence Reporting Lab - Radio | 1 |
JRN428 | Social Media Analytics | 1 |
Semester 1
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN155 | News Writing | 4 |
JRN135 | Intro To Desktop Publications | 3 |
JRN152 | Digital Photojournalism I | 3 |
JRN138 | Editing Cp Style | 3 |
JRN116 | Media Ethics & The Law | 2 |
JRN118 | Social Media Storytelling | 2 |
JRN226 | Convergence Technology | 2 |
JRN228 | Drone Technology And Editing Practicum | 1 |
Semester 2
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN151 | Portfolio And Placement Preparation | 2 |
JRN214 | Digital Photojournalism II | 3 |
JRN211 | Radio Reporting | 2 |
JRN218 | TV Radio & Digital Writing & Presentation | 2 |
JRN203 | Broadcast Writing & Research | 3 |
JRN255 | News Writing II | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN219 | Social Media Strategies | 1 |
Semester 3
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN323 | Internship I | 2 |
JRN309 | Digital Design For Journalists | 3 |
JRN319 | Digital Videojournalism - Writing/Presentation | 3 |
JRN202 | Feature Writing | 3 |
JRN207 | Math For The Media | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN355 | Newswriting III | 2 |
JRN321 | Podcast Journalism | 2 |
JRN327 | Social Media Technical Skills | 1 |
Semester 4
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
JRN417 | Public Relations Basics | 3 |
JRN427 | Internship II | 2 |
JRN419 | Digital Production Video & Radio Journalism | 2 |
JRN425 | Rhetoric And Persuasive Writing | 3 |
JRN405 | Convergence Reporting Lab - Print | 1 |
JRN403 | Digital Convergent Design | 3 |
ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
JRN423 | Convergence Reporting Lab - Radio | 1 |
JRN428 | Social Media Analytics | 1 |
Program Physical Demands Analysis
- B894
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Journalism (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 52006)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Report on stories in an accurate, detailed, balanced, professional, and timely manner.
- Apply computer and technical skills to designated production and research functions in journalism.
- Function both independently and as a member of editorial and/or production teams.
- Analyze knowledge from communities, current events and public affairs, and history to interpret and express the context for designated journalism publications and/or productions.
- Develop strategies for personal and professional development.
- Comply with relevant Canadian legislation, standards, and the principles and practices of journalism.
- Write and edit content for the designated media platforms.
- Publish and/or broadcast content for the designated media platforms.
- Apply production skills and use production equipment in the preparation and distribution of content for the designated media platforms.
Additional Information
- The MediaPlex Website - Journalism students bring you breaking news and current affairs from Windsor, across Canada and around the world, as it affects people in our communities.
Alumni Testimonials
I love radio. When I thought about a career, I wanted to be a jock (personality), but found myself reading news a lot and watching newscasts whenever I had free time. I decided Journalism would be my best choice because not only do you learn the basics for radio and radio reporting, you also get the convergence part as well, (print writing, television broadcast, beat reporting, photography, podcasting, computer design, and web page creation also known as HTML) which are all VITAL in any news outlet nowadays.
I graduated from St. Clair in May of 2009 and two months later I found a radio station in Fort McMurray, Alberta (CHFT FM, or 100.5 K-Rock) who was looking for a news reporter. I went through the interview process and I actually used the portfolio I made in class.
The station felt I had the proper technical skills to do the job which my boss said was due to the converged training I received. Every day it is my responsibility to cover the news that matters on a local, provincial and national scale. I am also responsible for the photography component on our company website.
The faculty at St Clair College helped me get where I am today. They were willing to work one on one with me and were always happy to give some extra help with things I didn’t understand. This program opened a world of opportunities, some of which most students won’t even discover until they have finished the program. You just have to be willing to put the effort out there and go for it. Without the convergence background, I wouldn’t be working in the field. With the way the media is evolving having the extra skills is something I’m grateful for.
Thanks to all of the professors for making this possible, and helping me discover my potential.
Nic Lindsay
Alumni, Journalism, 2009
News Reporter
CHFT-FM, Fort McMurray, Alberta