Launch Your Journalism Career. Develop journalistic skills for print, broadcast and social media platforms.

4.7

stars

1,933 ratings

Offered By

Become a Journalist: Report the News! SpecializationMichigan State University

Skills you will gain

JournalismWritingProfessionalNews WritingMultimedia

About this Specialization

This Specialization will develop and enhance your understanding of the global field of journalism. You'll learn best practices and ethical standards for newsgathering processes and compiling a news report through hands-on projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and issue exploration. You will also study journalism's impact on societal issues and trends, plus explore career opportunities in newspapers, magazine, social media, Internet multimedia, television, radio, corporate and community journalism. The final Capstone project will guide you through the journalistic portfolio process, where you will conceptualize, report and complete a professional-quality news report.

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

Started a new career after completing this specialization.

20%

Got a pay increase or promotion.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

No prior experience required.

Approximately 6 months to complete

Suggested pace of 3 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, Spanish

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

Started a new career after completing this specialization.

20%

Got a pay increase or promotion.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

No prior experience required.

Approximately 6 months to complete

Suggested pace of 3 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, Spanish

There are 5 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

What is news?

4.7

stars

920 ratings

•

266 reviews

This course will guide you through the basic elements of professional journalism and the news values and ethics of covering real-world issues and events. The overview and examples of the types of news coverage helps introduce the different types of journalism, such as social media, multimedia, print, visual and broadcast, and how professional journalists effectively use each format.

Course2

Course 2

Gathering and Developing the News

4.7

stars

410 ratings

•

93 reviews

Journalists develop information through interviews and sources. The most successful journalists quickly master these important skill sets. The production of journalism relies on several elements: newsgathering, interviewing sources, researching and trying to find as much information as possible. The course will also teach you how to where to find information, interviewing skills and how to process information from various sources for publication.

Course3

Course 3

Effectively delivering the news to your audience

4.8

stars

255 ratings

•

52 reviews

Being a successful journalist is more than hunting down information. How journalists process the information, then put it together, are key steps for news reports. You will learn the process, planning, requirements of how journalists develop their news reports. There are many ways to report news reports, and you will learn different forms of how to perform reporting and writing to serve different audiences. This course also explains the different formats within journalism, beyond the written word and how they are best utilized.

Course4

Course 4

Journalism, the future, and you!

4.8

stars

284 ratings

•

90 reviews

You will learn about the career paths that are available in journalism, and what opportunities the skill sets of a journalist can offer in other fields. You will explore areas such as being an international correspondent, self-publishing in journalism, as well as how to freelance in the field. You will be empowered to develop your own path in journalism, from being an active and informed consumer, to being a journalist.

The worlds of business, communications, politics, education and marketing all utilize elements of journalism. This course also examines how to keep the trust of audiences through ethical, and responsible, journalistic practices. Sometimes, journalists need to be aware of their own safety. We will intelligently discuss how journalists around the world handle pressure, threats and other dangers while doing their jobs. Journalism - and journalists - are agents of change. Are you ready to become one too?

Instructors

Offered by

Michigan State University

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
What background knowledge is necessary?
It is preferable to have a working, high-school level of the English language to successfully engage in this Specialization. The Courses and Capstone are not designed to teach the English language.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
It is recommended to take the Courses in order for an optimal Learner outcome: Course 1 first, Course 2 second, Course 3 third, Course 4 fourth, then the Capstone.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
No, you will not earn credits at Michigan State University for completing the Specialization.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
Enhancing Journalistic skills through our Specialization can serve many exciting purposes for a Learner: opening up new career fields within Journalism, improving Journalism abilities in a present position; gaining stronger understanding of how the media and journalism works; exploring other ways Journalism can help in business, community and non-profit settings.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

There are 5 Courses in this Specialization