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Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

A thorough journalism starter pack that turns your curiosity into compelling, ethical storytelling with hands-on experience and a final portfolio.

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

What will you learn in Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization Course

  • Understand the core principles of ethical journalism and news writing.

  • Conduct effective interviews and gather credible sources.

  • Structure compelling, fact-based stories for different media.

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  • Master digital tools for multimedia reporting and storytelling.

  • Build a strong journalism portfolio ready for freelance or newsroom careers.

Program Overview

Course 1: Journalism, the Future, and You!

  • ⏱️ 4 weeks

  • Topics: What journalism is, its changing landscape, digital influence.

  • Hands-on: Reflective writing on the journalist’s role in democracy.

Course 2: Gathering and Developing the News

  • ⏱️ 4 weeks

  • Topics: Newsworthiness, interviewing, observation, source verification.

  • Hands-on: Create a real-world news package from initial idea to draft.

Course 3: Effectively delivering the news to your audience

  • ⏱️ 4 weeks

  • Topics: Story structure, leads, headlines, multimedia news packages.

  • Hands-on: Draft news reports with effective visual/audio elements.

Course 4: What is News?

  • ⏱️ 4 weeks

  • Topics: Media bias, fact vs opinion, identifying fake news.

  • Hands-on: Analyze and rewrite biased content into objective reporting.

Course 5: Creating the Journalistic Portfolio

  • ⏱️ 4 weeks

  • Topics: Resume tips, personal branding, curating published works.

  • Hands-on: Assemble a multimedia portfolio to showcase your work.

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Job Outlook

  • Strong demand for multimedia and digital journalists in online news, podcasts, and video platforms.

  • Opportunities in freelance writing, investigative journalism, and corporate communication.

  • Entry-level salaries for journalists range from $35,000–$60,000/year, with growth into editorial and broadcast roles.

  • Skills in digital tools (e.g., video editing, CMS, SEO) enhance employability.

9.7Expert Score
Highly Recommendedx
An ideal program for aspiring journalists, this specialization blends ethics, storytelling, and digital media to prepare learners for the modern newsroom or freelance journalism.
Value
9.5
Price
9.3
Skills
9.7
Information
9.7
PROS
  • Created by journalism faculty at MSU.
  • Strong focus on ethics and news literacy.
  • Practical assignments that simulate real journalism work.
CONS
  • Limited feedback unless peer-reviewed.
  • Focuses mostly on traditional reporting, not much on data journalism.

Specification: Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

FAQs

  • No prior journalism experience required.
  • Covers core principles of ethical journalism and news writing.
  • Focuses on storytelling, interviewing, and fact-checking.
  • Suitable for students, aspiring reporters, and content creators.
  • Builds foundational skills for both newsroom and freelance careers.
  • Techniques for identifying newsworthy topics.
  • Conducting effective interviews and observation methods.
  • Source verification and fact-checking processes.
  • Hands-on exercises to create real-world news packages.
  • Builds confidence in reporting accurate and compelling stories.
  • Covers video, audio, and online news formats.
  • Guidance on digital tools for multimedia storytelling.
  • Techniques for creating engaging multimedia content.
  • Integrates visual and audio elements with written stories.
  • Prepares learners for online, broadcast, and social media reporting.
  • Hands-on assignments for creating news packages.
  • Guidance on curating published work into a portfolio.
  • Includes resume tips and personal branding strategies.
  • Prepares for freelance or newsroom job applications.
  • Certificate validates practical journalism skills.
  • 5 courses: Journalism fundamentals, gathering news, delivering news, analyzing bias, portfolio creation.
  • Each course: ~4 weeks at a moderate pace.
  • Self-paced with lifetime access.
  • Total duration: ~20 weeks for the full specialization.
  • Certificate awarded upon completion of all courses.
Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization
Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization
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