Journalism

• Two-year diploma
• Photojournalism and Print and Online Journalism Majors
  Fall start
• e-Learning

Program Description

The Journalism program equips students to create professional quality text and visual news content for use in print- and web-based media. Using the most current technology, including digital still and video cameras, audio recorders, cell phones and laptop computers, students will learn to tell stories about people and events in their communities. Advertising in all its contemporary forms, as well as public relations, corporate communications, and media relations, are also covered in this two-year diploma program. The courses are designed to serve the needs of students entering the work force today, and to respond to the evolving demands of the news media, which is hungry for skilled workers. Instruction in this hands-on program is provided by a strong team of journalists who have extensive experience in all forms of print and visual news-gathering and communications. In the first two semesters of the program, students will study a broad cross section of all media disciplines. In the second year, students have the option to specialize in either the Photojournalism option, or the Online and Print Media Journalism option.

Photojournalism – Utilizing more specialized camera equipment (see books and supplies below), and building on the visual journalism concepts learned in first year, students receive advanced training in news, feature, sports, portraiture, and documentary photography. Advanced computer operations and file management techniques (digital imaging workflow) are important concepts of the program. Utilizing the most current computer hardware and software applications, students learn how professional photojournalists acquire, prepare, and distribute digital images for both print and online news media. Students are also given extensive multimedia training, including video and audio/visual production. Recognizing that a photojournalist’s skill set is highly sought after by other sectors of the communications industry, students receive instruction in advanced location and studio lighting, lifestyle and illustrative photography. Portfolio development, self-promotion, marketing, advertising, and freelancing are also covered in-depth. Students are also required to complete a four-week work placement practicum. With the approval of the photo instructor, students will arrange their own practicum with a publication, or news media organization. Given the fact that this portion of the course requires extensive fieldwork off-campus, a valid driver’s license is a definite asset.

Note: Only 16 students are accepted into the photojournalism option.

Print and Online Journalism – Writing, editing, photography, online journalism and publication design are all major components of this program. Students are expected to attend and participate in classroom lectures, labs and workshops. Outside of regular class time, students must conduct fieldwork, both on and off campus. During the final semester, students will complete a practicum at a newspaper, magazine, or communications company.

This program will also utilize an e-Learning (SAIT issued laptop computer) instructional delivery method.

Your Career

Graduates from the Print and Online Journalism option may find employment with newspapers, magazines, wire services, public affairs organizations, advertising agencies and other information and entertainment media, as a reporter, technical writer, editor, public relations or communications specialist.

Graduates from the Photojournalism option may find staff or contract employment with newspapers, magazines, wire services picture agencies, public relations and advertising agencies and other information and entertainment media, as an independent photojournalist, photographer, photographic editor or page designer.

Admission Requirements

• Alberta High School diploma or equivalent with at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalents.
• All applicants to SAIT Polytechnic must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. For more information, please visit English Proficiency.
• For upgrading options, please refer to the Academic Upgrading program.
• For international students, please refer to the International section.
• For mature students, please refer to the Admissions section.
• Advance credit may be granted to applicants who have completed equivalent education at a post-secondary institution or have demonstrated equivalent experiential learning. Please refer to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.

Selection Criteria (2010-2011)

This program typically has more applications than seats. Meeting the Admission Requirements is the first step in the selection process. However, students may also be required to meet additional criteria in order to gain admission into the program. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the selection criteria.

Application Timeline

Applications are accepted from November 1, 2009 until the program begins. To be included in selection, applications must be submitted prior to March 1, 2010 along with all supporting documents.

Early Admission Criteria

Early admission will be offered to all applicants who have achieved or will achieve a minimum of 80% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2. All other qualified applicants will go to selection.

Additional Selection Criteria

If the program is oversubscribed the following criteria will take effect after March 1st:

• Each applicant is required to attend a program information session, and will be asked to write a brief essay on a topic that will be assigned before the meeting. This session will also include an informal interview process, giving the applicants a chance to meet faculty.
• Applicants will be evaluated and placed in rank order by the Selection Committee based on the values assigned to each criterion.

Marking: The essay and the interview are marked separately with a mark of 10. The two marks are added together and divided by two to give a mark out of 10 for both the essay and the interview.

Second year Photojournalism Option

• Based on academic standards and a portfolio content of published work, applicants will compete for one of the 16 seats available.

Marking: The photo instructor will work with industry professionals to evaluate and rank submitted student portfolios. This rank will be added to specified academic marks.

Selection Priority

• Early Admission
• Selection Criteria

Selection

If oversubscribed, selection will commence on the first business day of March. If on the first business day of March the program is not oversubscribed, admission will commence using minimum admission requirements as stated in the Admission Requirements.

Student Success

Students with higher secondary or post-secondary marks usually experience greater success in SAIT programs.

Credentials

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT diploma in Journalism with a major in Photojournalism or Print Media.

Accreditation

There are no formal accreditation arrangements at this time. Please contact the School of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) at 403.284.8849 for more information.

Tuition And Fees (Subject To Change)

• Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Table.
• International Students, please refer to International Student Fees.
• Student funding, please to Financial Assistance.

Books And Supplies (Subject To Change)

• First-year books and supplies cost approximately $400.
• A $500 security deposit to use a SAIT issued laptop.
• All first-year Journalism students are required to purchase a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (approximately $1,000) and electronic flash (approximately $400). Cameras and flashes must meet requirements that will be specified by your photography instructors.
• The second year Photojournalism option is a fully digital program. Students may wish to upgrade digital camera equipment that will be compatible program specifications. In the second year, Photojournalism option, you can expect additional costs up to $6,000 for digital photography equipment, supplies and books.
• The second year Print and Online Journalism, you can expect to pay approximately $400 for books and supplies.

Program Outline (2010-2011)

• To find the course description for a course shown below, please go to our Course Finder and enter the course acronym and numbers (I.E. DMST-350) into the Quick Search by Course Code field.
• This program is being reviewed and could undergo changes.
• SAIT students are offered an opportunity to develop lifelong learning skills in an online environment. One or more courses in the program are offered fully or partially online.

For More Information

Information: 403.284.8849
E-mail: ja.info@sait.ca
Website: School of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)

Transfer with Diploma to…

Through SAIT Polytechnic transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this SAIT program may be eligible for credit at the following universities and colleges:

• Athabasca University
• Griffith University
• Mount Royal University
• Royal Roads University
• SAIT Polytechnic
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge
• University of Lethbridge (Co-op Education)
• University of New Brunswick, Saint John

To learn more, visit Transfer Options.

Transfer options may also be available at other post-secondary institutions where credits from SAIT programs are evaluated on an individual basis. Interested students should contact the post-secondary institute of their choice for more information.

Related Links (Internal):

• Student-For-A-Day
• Academic Calendar