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 prevalent and 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. You’ll hear from experts about why they chose this field and how they specialized their skill set. If you’re thinking about a future in journalism or media, this course is for you.
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 an event or information "news" from top journalists, how they find it, and where they begin the reporting journey. You’ll hear about today's leading media platforms and how crafting and reporting stories for TV, the web, print, and social media differs. Learn about high-pressure deadlines, and follow a reporter on the beat as they chase down a story.
Reporting 101: Learning the Basics.
Explore the tools and processes journalists use to report a story. Hear about the methods used to uncover new information, while avoiding the rising challenges of dis- and misinformation. Learn how reporters determine when they've collected enough facts to assemble a story.
The Blueprint for Crafting a Story.
Learn how to create a blueprint for crafting your story, starting with a list of the essential building blocks. Discover how to identify key details to highlight, and holes to address. Hear from veteran journalists on how they decide the best way to structure their stories, and how they revise and refine them.
How To Steer Clear of Ethical and Legal Missteps.
Learn how top reporters navigate dilemmas that can blow up even the most ironclad news story. Get the inside scoop from journalists and editors who scour stories for potential problems for their organizations. Discover how to protect your work before it goes live.
How Social Media, Digital Tools, and Video Bring a Story to Life.
Learn how news stories are translated across multiple media platforms, including video journalism, social media, and mobile. Explore how news consumption has evolved to include online news outlets, news aggregation sites and channels, and commentary. Discover the high-profile approach to “journalism as a brand” and entrepreneurial journalism.
Course Conclusion & Final Capstone Project.
Delve into the future of journalism with reporters and top correspondents. Hear about career paths aspiring journalists pursue and how they do it. In the Final Project, craft your own story for the news platform of your choice—print, digital, video, or social media.
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.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
June 11 - June 25
Journalism and Media in the Digital Age
Length: 2 weeks
Cost: $1495
Application Deadline: Sunday, June 4, 2023
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
All course options have the same educational content, learning materials, and number of assignments. We are offering a condensed version of the course in order to accommodate students’ individual schedules.
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.