Graduate Certificate or Diploma of Journalism

Graduate certificates in journalism are excellent points of entry. They provide basic knowledge over the course of six months, including units in media decision making, advanced public writing and communication. Institutions like Griffith University offer these courses to students from any discipline.

Graduate diplomas are for more advanced students with some experience in the field. Courses from the University of Melbourne are ideal for journalists wishing to broaden or specialise their knowledge base, featuring units in data journalism, advanced non-fiction writing and more. Others courses provide the means to enter regardless of experience, making this a potential avenue for newcomers as well.

Employment options

These qualifications make graduates more capable of entering the professions listed here. Careers in public relations become more viable after either of these programs, as both educate students on managing public image whilst simultaneously honing their writing skills. Companies like Ball PR and PPR look for these sorts of skills.

Working for a newspaper is a viable option too; producing unbiased stories for public consumption is a vital service to society, which graduates are well equipped to do. Learning advanced non-fiction writing and public communication is a surefire way to gain the attention of newspapers like The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald who thrive on employees with these skills.

Scholarships and funding

The Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship is available to journalism students interested in the wine industry; applicants must demonstrate their passion for wine and their enrollment in an accredited course. The Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship is also available. It is similarly focussed, requiring students to show passion for its namesake.

General scholarships are available to the less culinarily inclined, such as the ECIG Scholarship Program or Endeavour Scholarships and Fellows initiative. Each has their own quirks and unique requirements, so students are advised to check their eligibility carefully before applying. It’s also worth noting they are partial scholarships, which is a symptom of their availability across disciplines.

Prerequisites and selection process

Graduate certificates are accessible by students from all disciplines, making them an excellent entry point. Even the most competitive programs tend to require no more than a credit GPA (65%). Experience in a cognate discipline can be advantageous insofar as it can lighten the workload, but not course duration.

Graduate diplomas tend to require experience in the field in addition to prior study in a cognate discipline, making them more for current journalists or those in similar fields. The University of Melbourne hosts an example of this, requiring the following:

• A degree in a cognate discipline
• A high credit GPA (70%)
• An English language examination