College of Communication and Information
School of Media and Journalism
www.kent.edu/mdj

About This Program

The Journalism Education graduate certificate is a four-course, fully online pathway to understanding the fundamentals of post-secondary/high school journalism education, from coaching students on media literacy and the role of journalism in a democratic society to advocating for their First Amendment rights. For high school teachers, it’s a potential pathway to school districts’ continuing education requirements. Read more...

Contact Information

• School Director: Emily Metzgar | mdj@kent.edu | 330-672-2572
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 74 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Graduation Requirement

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Recognize and advocate for the importance of journalism education to the future of journalism.
2. Employ best practices in journalism education.
3. Demonstrate fundamental journalism skills through the production of media content.
4. Discuss the fundamentals of media literacy and relate them to the context of journalism education.

Full Description

The Journalism Education graduate certificate is for high school teachers who currently work as advisers in scholastic media programs in their high schools, as well as media professionals seeking to take graduate coursework to facilitate teaching in the post-secondary space. The certificate is fashioned using information and guidelines from the School of Media and Journalism’s Center for Scholastic Journalism, a national clearinghouse for information for and about student journalists and their advisers, a research center on issues affecting scholastic media and an advocate for student press freedom.

Coursework in the certificate combines the pedagogy and media content students need and they can take to their classrooms from day one. From coaching a novice journalism student in news norms and routines, to sharing strategies for protecting students’ First Amendment rights, students learn what they need to know to be effective journalism educators and advisers at the high school and post-secondary levels.

Students can complete this certificate in as little as two semesters.