"Without question, the Journalism – New Media Program has been worth every single penny. I can't believe how much my life has changed in just a few short months and how many doors of opportunity are beginning to open for me."
Kate Goodwin (Class of 2011)
The field of journalism is undergoing unprecedented change. As technology rapidly alters the landscape, the need for innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and solid story telling skills will become paramount to a successful career. The role of the professional journalist has become a balance of integrity, accuracy, ethics and technological aptitude, while still demonstrating the old hallmarks of journalistic endeavour and the discipline of verification.
The Journalism – New Media Program is purposely small in number, therefore ensuring students receive individualized guidance and coaching as they work directly with faculty through project-based learning. Esteemed faculty members have worked extensively in industry and some continue to do so at CBC, Global, CTV, The Globe and Mail, CNN, ABC and other mainstream organizations. Still others have launched successful independent news companies and are taking their rightful place in the independent emerging media marketplace.
The program caters to graduates of university and college programs from diverse academic backgrounds, industry professionals in need of retraining, and/or those with substantial life experience seeking practical, hands-on training in one short, intensive year.
Get Immersed in Media Technologies
Internet technologies, aggregators and apps are changing the dissemination of news and information and how professional journalists work. Sheridan's Journalism – New Media Program is training next-generation journalists with dynamic courses in Interactive Storytelling, Multimedia News Producing and Entrepreneurial Journalism. Students create content for a news website, online magazine, television and radio programs and their own websites and blogs in a converged and vigorous environment.
Journalism – New Media remains one of the most forward-thinking programs of its kind. Edgy and provocative curriculum is constantly upgraded to reflect the warp-speed changes in the field. In one academic year, you'll be skilled at:
- Multi-media storytelling and the use of social media for research and promotion of news
- News and factual writing for print and websites
- Visual and data journalism
- Investigative reporting techniques and the use of Wikileaks and other transparency and whistleblowing websites
- Video storytelling
- Photo and audio journalism
- Entrepreneurial journalism
- Interviewing and fact-checking
- Finding and nurturing sources
Get Embedded in Industry
Students gain valuable experience and opportunity by participating in a mandatory 4 – 6 weeks work placement (paid or unpaid) in the news and information industry. Internships are typically completed at the end of the 8-month program but before graduation in June.
Additional Program Costs
In addition to the tuition fees for this program, students should plan to spend an additional $1,000 maximum for ancillary supplies, software and Web accounts.
Journalism – New Media courses are held at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario. Sheridan welcomes applications to this dynamic program throughout the application cycle, up until the 5th day of classes each September.
"Two years ago I was making $50 a day working in a music store and wondering if I would ever get to where I wanted to be. Enrolling in the Journalism – New Media Program has made all the difference. Now I'm an associate producer for a host I've been a fan of for many years. If you told me two years ago that I'd be working for the CBC, I would have laughed at you."
Stefanie McCarroll (Class of 2009)
The George Stroumboulopolus Show
In this ever-changing field, career opportunities ebb and flow quickly. Sheridan's Journalism – New Media Program prepares you to work successfully in a variety of roles and makes you one of the most marketable graduates of any Journalism program in the country – capable of moving seamlessly between mediums or tackling the skill and demands of convergent media. Our graduates boast unique skills and are therefore in high demand, capable of working as online and independent journalists or for mainstream news organizations in more traditional roles. While in the program, you'll develop outstanding professional contacts, which often translate into job opportunities.
Employment Prospects
Graduates of the program can expect a variety of employment scenarios, ranging from full-time, traditional employment to contract and freelance work to self-employment start ups. Students will work successfully in the field of news and information, television and radio, Web and new media, production, and communications. Graduates from previous years are currently working as:
- Writers and news reporters for various mediums and on various subject matters
- Web designers and graphic artists
- Photographers, video camera operators and video editors
- Webmasters
- Content producers and bloggers
- Social media experts
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
- Postsecondary diploma or degree
and/or
- Demonstrated competence through related work, and/or educational experience
Applicant Selection
Eligible applicants will be selected on the combination of the following:
- Previous academic achievement
and/or - Demonstrated work and life experience
and - Response to a questionnaire
- Submission of a portfolio (writing or video samples)
A portfolio review fee is required with the submission.
Postsecondary transcripts indicating courses completed to date must be submitted to ontariocolleges.ca at the time of application.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.
Note: Courses subject to change.