Certificate In Journalism

Course Code	VWR001
Fee Code	CT
Number of Modules	6
Duration (approx)	600 hours

'Many of the skills that I have learnt from this course help me on a day to day basis’.
A. Peterson, ACS Journalism student.

NOTE:
This course replaces the old Certificate in Journalism listed in the ACS 2005-6 handbook.

Course Content
The course is made up of 6 modules as follows:

Module 1.  Freelance Writing
Many professional writers start out by freelancing.
This course will show you how to write, what writing is marketable, and how to go about selling your work.  Emphasis is placed on things which are important to publishers who might buy your work. Tutors concentrate on your ability to properly structure an article, and to be both concise and clear in your use of words. Learning outcomes for graduates of the course include:
* Have improved communication skills, particularly with respect to clarity, conciseness and correct grammar.
* Be familiar with the "writing industry"; having a clear idea of where opportunities exist for obtaining work as a freelance writer.
* Know how to go about approaching potential clients to obtain work.
* Have an understanding of the processes involved in publishing books, magazines and newspapers;
from generating concepts to seeing the finshed publication on sale.
There are ten lessons:
1. Introduction
2. Basic Writing Skills
3. The Publishing World
4. Manuscripts
5. Planning
6. Newspaper Writing
7. Magazine Writing
8. Writing Books
9. Writing Advertising
10. Special Project

Module 2.  Advanced Freelance Writing
This is an ideal course to follow Freelance Writing for people with existing skills, but a need to improve their overall technique and develop a more "commercial" approach to their work. Eight lessons:
1. Writing Themes
2. Writing a Regular Column
3. Educational Writing
4. Scientific Writing
5. Writing a Biographical Story
6. Writing a News Article
7. Fiction Writing
8. Other Writing.

Module 3.   Editing l
This course develops your understanding of the purposes and aims of editing, and also of what editors do. Students will learn about the importance of clear, effective writing throughout all stages of the publishing process and how editors assess manuscripts and prepare them for publication. The course may be taken alone or as part of higher level courses in journalism, writing, editing and
publishing.
The course covers: the nature and scope of editing, the role and responsibility of the editor in publishing, working with authors and publishers, the editing process and skills required, copyright and other legal concerns, indexing and referencing, varying the approach according to the kind of
book, etc.

Module 4.   Publishing l
This course provides an excellent start for anyone considering self publishing, or seeking employment in publishing. It is equally relevant to electronic or print publishing. There are ten lessons as follows:
1. Nature and scope of the publishing world
2. Publishing procedures and techniques
3. Desktop publishing A
4. Desktop publishing B
5. Illustration: Graphics
6. Illlustration: Photography
7. Research Skills: Market research, researching an article
8. Marketing of publications
9. Ethics and the law in publishing
10. Developing a publishing Project

Module 5.   Photoshop
Provides a basic understanding of how to create and manipulate images using Adobe Photoshop, for use on the web as well as print. There are 9 lessons in this module as follows:
1. Getting Started
2. Working With Digital Image Files
3. Understanding The Tool Palette
4. Using Layers, Actions, and History
5. Digital Painting, Shapes and Colours
6. Selecting, Resizing, Transforming and Masking
7. Adjustments and Modifications
8. Adding Filters and Effects
9. Preparing Files For Print and Web

Module 6.  plus one relevant elective module/short course from one of these fields of study -  writing, publishing, editing, IT, or photography.

More details of these modules are on webpage:  http://www.acs.edu.au/writing/

If you want to become a freelance journalist or to work in the field of publishing, this is a good place to start.

This course will provide you with a skills and knowledge base that prepares you to start a career as a freelance writer, an editor or a publisher. Many journalists begin their careers as freelance writers, submitting articles to newspapers and magazines. The broad scope of this course will prepare you to work as a writer in a publishing business, a freelancer, or in other areas of publishing.   This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C