Discover the Fast-Paced World of Journalism
Throughout history, the world has relied on journalists to keep us informed about current events and issues. In today’s digital world, the field of journalism has and will continue to evolve and expand—careers like multimedia editor, social media specialist, podcaster, content writer, and more have become increasingly necessary to keep the world in the know. This course introduces you to the foundations of this ever-changing world, including how to craft a story, interview subjects, and identify pitfalls within the industry. Various experts such as news correspondents, prize winning journalists, reporters, and political editors from renowned news and media outlets discuss why they chose this field and how they specialized their skill set.
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1495
Dive Into Journalism and Media
The Lede: What Makes a Story, and How Do You Find it?
Learn what makes something "newsworthy” and where experts begin. Hear about media platforms and how reporting for them differs. Understand deadlines and follow a reporter chasing a story.
Reporting 101: Learning the Basics.
Explore the tools journalists use. Hear about the methods for gathering information while avoiding the challenges of misinformation. Learn how reporters determine when they have enough facts.
The Blueprint for Crafting a Story.
Learn the building blocks used to start a story. Discover details to highlight and holes to address. Hear how veteran journalists structure, revise, and refine their stories.
How To Steer Clear of Ethical and Legal Missteps.
Learn how reporters navigate dilemmas. Get the scoop from journalists and editors who scour stories for problems. Discover how to protect your work before it goes live.
How Social Media, Digital Tools, and Video Bring a Story to Life.
Learn how stories are translated across media platforms, including video, social, and mobile. Explore how news consumption has evolved to include online outlets, aggregation sites, and channels.
Course Conclusion & Final Capstone Project.
Delve into the future of journalism. Hear about careers aspiring journalists pursue. Craft your own story for the platform of your choice—print, digital, video, or social.
How You Will Benefit
- Understand the basic principles and practice of journalism.
- Practice the core elements of the reporter’s skillset, including how to gather facts through skillful interviewing and research, develop sources, and verify information.
- Understand the variety of news platforms available today and how to craft a story tailored for each.
- Gain confidence in crafting your own news stories, featuring compelling headlines, inviting ledes, and rewarding endings.
- Hear from journalism and media experts and learn what a day in their professional life looks like.
- Complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Final Capstone Project
All online courses culminate in a Final Capstone Project that allows you to:
- Report and craft your own professional news story for a platform of your choice—print/digital, social media, or video.
- Incorporate the toolkit and road map provided during the course.
- Generate a story idea and a pitch for your story.
- Create a reporting to-do list; begin to report using that list, and annotate it with comments noting the results.
- Create a map of your story.
Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
- Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you succeed.
- Brainstorming and ideation help as you prepare for your Final Capstone Project.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures. Tune in anytime that works for you.
- 20 to 30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from mentors.
New This Summer: +Live
For driven high school students with an interest in law and government or medicine, we have an added bonus: +Live!
With +Live, you’ll enjoy structured online sessions on select weekdays. These engaging events span a variety of law and government or medicine related topics that every aspiring student should experience, include invaluable activities with subject-matter experts and course mentors, and encourage collaboration with like-minded students around the world. Cost: $500.
Learn more about Medicine +Live
Learn more about Law & Government +Live
While we’re offering +Live with a focus on medicine or law & government, all students are welcome to participate.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
June 18 - June 25
Journalism and Media in the Digital Age
Length: 1 week
Cost: $1495
Application Deadline: Sunday, June 11, 2023
June 25 - July 9
Journalism and Media in the Digital Age
Length: 2 weeks
Cost: $1495
Application Deadline: Sunday, June 18, 2023
July 9 - August 6
Journalism and Media in the Digital Age
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $1495
Application Deadline: Sunday, July 2, 2023
Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty
Rebecca Sinderbrand
Professor of the Practice and Director of the Journalism Program
Professor Sinderbrand joined the University following more than two decades in political and presidential journalism spanning coverage of six presidential campaigns and five administrations, first as a reporter and then as an editor at news organizations, including The Washington Post, Politico, and CNN, most recently as Senior Washington Editor for NBC News. She has been a Visiting Lecturer on Journalism and Politics at Yale University, a Fellow at Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service, and a Johns Hopkins University-SAIS International Reporting Project Fellow. Sinderbrand graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Government, and received an M.A. in Nonfiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
How to Apply
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Our application asks you to provide the following:
- Basic contact information for you and your parent or guardian.
- Why you wish to take this course, and a bit of your story, through writing, video, photos—any media you prefer.
Begin the guided process. It should take only a few minutes to answer the questions.
Begin the process
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Answers to Your Questions HereScholarships
We offer need-based scholarships in each cohort to students exhibiting high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship but you:
- Haven’t applied to the program, complete your application now. The scholarship application is included.
- Applied to the program and didn’t fill out a scholarship request, reach out to us at support@precollegeonline.georgetown.edu for assistance.
- Are unsure about whether or not you applied for a scholarship, reach out to us at support@precollegeonline.georgetown.edu for assistance.
The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.