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Overview
Are you interested in journalism and the art of storytelling? If writing and digital media are your style, the Print and Online Journalism major is a great choice.
You'll learn the basics of journalism, including ethical news reporting, and then branch out in various areas, including marketing, public relations, and social media or digital content creation.
In the first year, you'll dive into news writing, basic photography, marketing, advertising, public relations, publication design, and online journalism. You'll build a solid foundation in journalism skills, preparing you for various career opportunities in media, marketing, digital media and more.
In your second year, you'll refine your writing, editing, layout design, and digital publishing skills. You'll work on various writing formats, from news features to blogs, and gain experience in editing, business writing, copywriting, and public relations. The program culminates in a simulated "newsroom" experience where you'll create content for SAIT's online newspaper.
This field offers the flexibility to blaze your path, whether as a freelance writer or photographer or working for a company or a news organization.
Our class sizes are small, with 32 students on average, and photography class sizes are capped at 16.
Whether you're passionate about writing, photography, or digital media, our Journalism program is your first step toward a rewarding career in storytelling, communication and the creative industries.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to write for "The Press" - our online newspaper, covering a diverse array of subjects such as campus life, health and wellness, entertainment, and local city news. This will give you a platform to engage with a broad readership and hone your journalistic skills across multiple topics.
Those in journalism or creative industries tend to be innovative, methodical, and directive.
You need:
- flexibility
- eloquence and precise language skills
- an understanding of your medium and knowledge of your area of interest
- the ability to be objective and self-critical about your work and to accept objective criticism from others
- research and organizational skills
- time-management skills
- negotiation and marketing skills
- interviewing skills
- self-discipline.
You should enjoy gathering and clarifying information, writing, and presenting to people. You should also be prepared to work irregular hours and travel for work.
In your final semester, you'll participate in a four-week practicum at a digital or print-based journalism, editorial, corporate or non-profit organization.
You are responsible for securing your placement, which needs to be approved. Before your practicum, you'll complete assignments and get assistance creating a resume, setting up your LinkedIn profile, practicing interviews, and learning how to approach potential employers about a practicum placement.
You'll also have the option to complete a cooperative work term between your first and second year of study. This work term isn't required to graduate.
After successfully completing this program, you'll receive a SAIT Journalism diploma with a major in Print and Online Journalism.
Careers and opportunities
Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni.
89% graduate employment rate
Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 51110, 51111, 51112, 51113, 53110.
Career planning support
Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.
You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.
Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.
Courses
The Journalism - Print and Online Journalism diploma requires 60 credits (18 courses) to complete.
The program spans two years, with two semesters each year.
You must take all of the following courses to complete this program.
Journalism core
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, social media has become an indispensable tool for journalists to disseminate news, engage with audiences, and cultivate a digital presence. This comprehensive course on Social Media Management in Journalism is designed to equip aspiring and practicing journalists with the essential skills and strategies needed to navigate the dynamic intersection of journalism and social media. |
3 |
|
Building on the basics in Writing for Journalism, students will develop news and feature stories from different settings, and on different topics. The theory and practice of long-form feature writing will also be introduced. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This foundation course will examine the tools used to tell journalistic stories online. The focus will be on contemporary content management technology used by newspapers to present photos, written stories, video, and rich content to a global audience. Corequsites:
Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Journalists are required to make decisions regularly about whom to talk to and use as sources, what information is appropriate to publish and what is not, and how to balance the competing demands of public versus private interests. Challenges related to the public sense of biases in news content, including AI-generated content, is an ongoing concern. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the practice of ethical decision-making in journalism. Topics that will be introduced include sourcing practices and issues of personal privacy, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #86, manipulation by, and of, the media, censorship and self-censorship, artificial intelligence, coverage of libel and slander laws in Canada and the right to be forgotten. |
3 |
|
Building on the introduction they received in first year to straight news and feature writing, students in this course will work on more complex assignments, including long-form news features and specialized types of news stories. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Marketing Essentials is an introductory course offering you a solid foundation in marketing principles. Working individually and in teams, you will research and discover how marketing decisions are made and identify the components of sustainable marketing programs. Your research, content application and teamwork skills will be developed and reinforced as you progress through the course. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
This introductory level course explores the technical fundamentals of digital photography as it relates to print and online news media. Learners will develop competency in proper camera handling, image acquisition, and computer workflow techniques. |
3 |
|
Building further on the technical concepts previously introduced in the program, this course focuses on the use of the photographic medium in journalistic storytelling. Through the use of still images and text, learners will discover the importance of visual communication in today's multiplatform media industry. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
An introductory course in which students become familiar with relevant computer systems and the SAIT network. The student will then be introduced to numerous industry relevant software programs vital to their future success in journalism. |
3 |
|
The basic concepts in creation of graphic elements will be the main topic of this course. The design, production and editing of info graphics for print page layouts and online will be covered. The course will also introduce learners to the planning and organization of print publications such as magazines and newspapers. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
News stories must be researched before they can be written. In this course, students will learn how to develop information for stories, with an emphasis on interviewing and online information gathering. Specific research sources, including governments and experts, also will be covered. |
3 |
|
WRIT 230, Writing for Journalism, is an introduction to writing in news style for beginning journalists. In addition to learning to present information for print and online readers, essential writing skills such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling will be emphasized. Identification of newsworthy information, basic news story elements and structure, writing techniques and self-coaching methods are also covered. |
3 |
Print and Online major
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
In this course students will develop their online skills by researching, gathering, and publishing journalistic content for online delivery. Students will learn to identify the best (or most appropriate) platform by which to distribute the content. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required to navigate the dynamic field of daily news reporting and the production cycle. Participants will gain hands-on experience in news gathering, writing, editing, and producing news content within the constraints of tight deadlines. The course will cover traditional and digital news production methods, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, ethics, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving media landscape. |
3 |
|
Specialized types of news writing form the basis of this second-year Journalism course. News blogging, editorial writing, opinion writing and column writing are covered, along with editing practice for opinion-based content. Sports, entertainment and business writing also will be introduced. The evolving role of opinion articles in journalism will be explored, along with research for opinion writing, critical thinking and the basics of structuring an argument. Sports, entertainment and business writing will also be introduced. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Under faculty and industry supervision, learners are assigned to actual journalistic responsibilities. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Advanced concepts in the creation of public relations material is the focus of the PR Writing and Design course. The writing and the design of PR materials is covered. A PR practitioner should not only know how to write in a PR style but should know how to design these materials using industry standard software. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Journalism Projects is the final capstone course in the Journalism program. It brings together elements from all of the basic skill areas taught in the program, and asks students to apply those in a setting that closely simulates a working newsroom environment. Students will hone their skills in all areas of newspaper publishing, while allowing the student to explore their particular areas of interest in the journalism industry. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
Choose two courses from the following list.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Business Law outlines the Canadian legal system in the context of a business environment and empowers students to apply the law and make informed decisions concerning their legal affairs. Emphasis is placed on the construction of the judicial system, the resolution of disputes, tort law, contract law, business structures, and employment law. These legal principles are applied to personal and business scenarios. Upon completion, students will have an understanding of when to seek legal advice. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Perhaps no component of marketing has undergone the degree of change as advertising. And yet, despite the abrupt and sweeping conversion from analog mediums (print, broadcast and out of home) to digital mediums (social media, websites, mobile and more) the main goal of advertising remains the same as it was nearly 400 years ago. To attract attention. Once a privilege enjoyed by the elite or enormously wealthy brands, the onset of digital communication has made effective advertising, for pennies on the dollar, accessible to everyone from an individual for a fortune 500 company. This course will introduce core concepts in advertising, such as objectives, strategies, on both, the creative and media buy sides of the industry. Advertising theory will be applied using case studies and a term project that will assemble a media buy plan as well as a creative brief. Additionally, learners in this course will be required to earn certification in two Meta online courses: Digital Marketing Associate & Creative Strategy Professional. Pre-requisites:
Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
In this course, you will develop a practical approach to using digital, social and mobile platforms that achieve business goals. Current applications and tools, community management practices and legal/privacy issues related to digital marketing tactics will be examined. Teams will develop a digital plan that specifies the use of email, websites, SEO, social media and mobile marketing, all with the goal of targeting and delivering effective communication to digital media-savvy audiences. An emphasis is placed on the return on digital marketing investment and on building relationships that lead to a culture of trust. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Building and Managing Brands explores the intangibles, such as corporate culture, as well as the tangibles, such as product differentiation, which help attain and maintain brand equity in the market. Rapidly emerging business trends, such as corporate social responsibility, are also featured, which help shed light on what companies are doing to separate their brand from competitors. Students will produce a brand book and plan to manage a brand. Pre-requisites:
Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Business Development is defined as the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships. This course will look at the relationship between traditional transactional sales, relationship selling and the evolution of the Business Development function. Market scanning and analysis, and the identification of potential growth markets, and key customers will be examined. Relationship, customer-centred selling techniques will be developed including relationship building, needs analysis, along with after sales customer care. Managing a sales force is explored including the effective organization of a sales department, forecasting and analyzing sales, recruiting and training a sales force, evaluating performance, and legal and ethical issues within the sales profession. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) represents the "Promotions" P of the marketing mix. An IMC Proposal includes campaign messages and their translation into each of the elements of the marketing communications mix along with a proposed budget and evaluations for success. In our fast paced marketplace, messages need to be on target and on brand. Integration in business is imperative. Working in teams, each student will experience the planning process for IMC. This course offers the students case analysis, creative development structure, and facilitated problem solving, to develop a unified IMC proposal. Pre-requisites:
Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to fundamental skills in critical thinking. You will develop skills in identifying fallacies, evaluating formal arguments, and diagnosing the appropriate form of argumentation in a variety of areas, including science and morality. Your skills in argumentation will be honed both in evaluating others' arguments and in making your own. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
The emphasis of this course is for the learner to develop the business skills required to successfully freelance in the editorial, advertising and corporate marketplaces and to develop several portfolios of their work in multiple platforms which will showcase their talents and be used as tools to gain freelance employment. |
3 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting, as well as gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional. Pre-requisites:One of the following sets of pre-requisites, as applicable to your program of study: Information Technology Services
Software Development
Information Systems Security
New Media Production & Design
Film and Video Production
Journalism
Interactive Design
Integrated Artificial Intelligence
|
0 |
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Explore your options!
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit.
You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.
Admission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.
We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.
Submit a transfer credit application
Royal Roads University
- Program name
- Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Available credits:
- 60
Upon successful completion of your Journalism diploma with a minimum B grade (3.0 GPA) and meeting all other admission criteria, you will be eligible to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program at Royal Roads University.
Transfer options for graduates
Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.
🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).
If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.
Griffith University
- Program name
- Bachelor of Journalism
- Available credits:
- 45
Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be eligible to receive up to 45 credits (1.5 years) toward Griffith's Bachelor of Journalism.
This degree is a three-year program with intakes offered in February and July each year.
Available intakes
Winter 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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-
Application deadline: Extended
-
- International students: Closed
-
-
Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024
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Fall 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
-
-
Application deadline: June 30, 2025
-
- International students: Open
-
-
Application deadline: May 30, 2025
-
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Domestic students
Books are approximately $400 for the whole program.
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
Camera and related equipment
Camera equipment costs range between $600 and $2,000 and must be purchased during your first year.
Additional equipment costs around $200 and must be purchased as you enter your second year. Equipment recommendations can be found at saitphoto.ca.
Computer
This is a bring-your-own-device program with custom hardware and software requirements. You'll need a Mac computer that meets these minimum requirements and is approximately $1,200 (including a port adapter):
- 13-inch MacBook Air (November 2020 or newer)
- Apple M1 chip
- 8 GB RAM or greater
- 256 GB or greater solid-state drive (SSD)
- 2 x Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
- macOS Ventura or newer
- Up-to-date antivirus and malware protection software
- USB-C port adapter with Gigabit Ethernet, memory card reader, 4K/60Hz HDMI and 2 x USB-A
Macs can be purchased at a discount through Apple Canada's store for higher education.
Licenses for the following software must also be purchased:
- Adobe Creative Cloud for Mac (latest release, full-access subscription)
- Camera Bits Photo Mechanic for Mac (latest release, standard version).
Education discounts are available for both Creative Cloud and Photo Mechanic.
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
Admission process
When applying in the application portal, select Journalism. You will declare your major before your second year of the program.
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
We recommend you add the business.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School of Business Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8485
International Student Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8852
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Email - international@sait.ca
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.