Journalism

The Journalism Certificate Program (JCP) is an interdisciplinary course of study that provides students with a foundation in writing and reporting for publication or broadcast, emphasizing hands-on workshops and internships designed to help students move from the educational into the professional world.  The program fosters an understanding of U.S. and global media, and of journalism ethics and integrity standards associated with the profession. Moreover, it allows students to think about the relationship of the medium to journalism, and of multiple styles of journalism, including literary journalism.  Students from the Journalism Certificate program are active in writing for and running The Spectrum, New York’s largest undergraduate student newspaper, printed three times weekly. Coursework required for the Certificate is offered by the Departments of English, Communication, and Media Study.

Students with a Journalism Certificate have gone on to internships with prestigious national magazines, including The Nation and excellent newspapers across Western New York, New York State, and the country. Such internships and their studies at UB have led to professional careers that include assistantships to Michael Moore on the set of his documentary Sicko; work for NPR stations and national broadcast TV affiliates; work for top political offices; and freelance careers in blogging and website development.