Journalism
Certificate of Achievement Journalism · Solano Community College · 2025-2026 Catalog
Minimum Units Required: 12.0 units
The goal of the Certificate of Achievement (CA) Journalism is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work as a freelance journalist or apply for an entry-level position in a newsroom as a reporter, photographer, assistant editor, website assistant, or sales representative. Coursework includes history and theories of mass communication; standards, practices, and ethics of journalism; elements of a news story. Students collaborate with peers to produce the Solano College News Website which involves the following strategies and skills: identifying stories and sources, conducting independent research, interviewing subjects, editing text, designing layout to include text and images, setting and meeting deadlines, and promoting the site. A Certificate of Achievement can be obtained upon of the 12-unit major. All courses for this major must be completed with a minimum grade of C or P if taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate proficiency in writing for various media platforms, including print, online, and broadcast, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and journalistic style.
2. Develop effective interviewing techniques to gather information from diverse sources, ensuring thorough and reliable reporting.
3. Conduct research, critically evaluate sources, and analyze information to produce well-informed and contextually rich journalistic content.
4. Understand and apply ethical principles and legal considerations specific to journalism, including issues related to accuracy, fairness, privacy, and freedom of the press.
5. Develop skills necessary for working in a newsroom environment including deadline management, collaboration, and effective communication with editors and colleagues, and using relevant technologies, software, and tools essential for modern journalism such as content management systems, digital editing software, and social media platforms.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in journalism, reflecting it in coverage and story selection to represent a broad range of perspectives.
7. Gain proficiency in the editing and production process, understanding how to present news stories effectively through layout, design, and multimedia elements.
8. Assemble a comprehensive portfolio showcasing a variety of journalistic work, demonstrating growth and competence over the duration of the certificate program.