Advanced Certificate in Photojournalism

Extensive studies in photography, writing and management for people who wish to combine written and photographic skills. Work in media or publishing.

Course Code: VPH015
Fee Code: AC
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 900 hours
Qualification Advanced Certificate
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Work Towards a Career in Photojournalism

Photojournalists capture history and tell the story of humanity with an image.  These stories can be intimate and subtle, or epic tales of war and peace.

For the skilled photographer opportunities are diverse and varied.  For the person who can also write and process images using software, demand for this mix of skills is very high. 

Discover how to take skilful photographs, understand photographic technology, learn business skills, and find out how to publish your work.  

Learn the Theory and Practice Needed for Success in Photojournalism

The advanced course in Photojournalism is a broad based, practically oriented training course that will develop the essential skills required to work in this field. The student will develop a variety of written and photographic work that can be used as the basis for a professional portfolio.

At the completion of this course you will have a thorough understanding of the craft of photojournalism, improved writing skills, knowledge of the publishing process and the business skills to set yourself up.  You will also have an understanding of online publishing and marketing.

COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is made up of 7 modules (700 hours total)

PLUS Research Project l

PLUS 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings (100 hrs).

Study modules

Some of the modules you can study are listed below  (click on each course for more detail):

To fulfil the requirements of the course, the student must complete all course Set Tasks and Assignments, and pass an exam for each study module (7 exams).

Industry Meetings

This involves participating in at least 100 hrs of seminars, workshops, committee meetings, meetings of local journalists or photographers.

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the Advanced Certificate in Photojournalism .
 Industry Project I BIP000
 Freelance Writing BWR102
 Research Project I BGN102
 Digital Photography BPH202
 Journalism Practice I BWR203
 Photographic Technology BPH201
 Photojournalism Practice I BPH302
 
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 2 of the following 21 modules.
 Industry Project II BIP001
 E Commerce BIT100
 Editing I (Editing and Proofreading) BWR106
 Efficient Writing AWR102
 Html (Writing a Website) VIT102
 Introduction To Photography BPH100
 Photographic Practice BPH101
 Photographing People BPH102
 Publishing I (Self Publishing Children's Books) BWR107
 Graphic Design BIT205
 Internet Marketing BIT204
 Landscape Photography BPH203
 Photographic Lighting BPH204
 Photoshop (Beginner To Medium Level) VIT202
 Publishing II BWR202
 Research Project II BGN201
 Wedding Photography BPH206
 Editing for Specialists and Professionals (Editing III) BWR307
 Editing II BWR302
 Editing Practice BWR305
 Photographic Portfolio BPH301
 

Note that each module in the Advanced Certificate in Photojournalism is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

What You Will Do

  • Photojournalists find work in publishing, electronic and print media, freelance photography and writing.

Why Study Here?

Better Services, Better Staff, More Flexibility, Personal treatment!

We have schools and staff in both Australia and the UK; and as part of a network of more than 15 colleges across three countries; we bring our students a wealth of resources and a unique international perspective, not found in other colleges. You can phone us and talk to tutors, or email for prompt replies, 5 days a week, in either of two countries -that means there is someone you can contact, 16 hrs a day on work days.

For us, your learning is top priority (Other colleges are often more focussed on assessment, Many will limit the time you can take to study. Others limit your access to students. We offer stronger student support, and unique services -if it's going to help you learn, we will make every possible effort to help you).

Expert, tertiary qualified and experienced staff provide you with personal tutoring support, one on one.
 

Frequently Asked Questions:

I have taken a look at your 2100hr learning bundle in Photojournalism via your website.  What kind of curriculum do you provide for students doing home study?

All of our courses are home study courses. This 2100 hour Learning package in Photojournalism consists of a fantastic blend of Photography, Journalism and IT modules which would help you with this career. You can choose to study by correspondence (printed notes), e-learning (CD for your computer) or online (downloadable notes). We are flexible about your subject choice and can always design a course to suit your needs exactly.

What things are to be purchased?
You would need a camera for the photography modules (ideally a digital SLR but others would be fine also), a computer (or access to a computer) and internet access so you can email your assignments in and do research. Everything else is included.

Are the items to be purchased to be purchased from you or from where I live?
Course notes and text books are included in the fee.

How long is the course?
It is self-paced so you can either do it very quickly or fit it around your other commitments (such as family and work). We give you 3 years to complete it but you can do it much faster than that if you have the spare time. Each module should take about 100 hours.

How do you judge the photography?
You re-size your images and submit them via email (pasted into your assignments). We will look at them and give you pointers on how to correct or improve them. We look at composition, subject choice and the technical details. It is easy to tell if your aperture and shutter speed settings are incorrect.

What are the fees payable and how do I make the payment?

The fees are on the right hand side of the web page in the yellow box - they vary depending on which study method you choose. If you hit the 'enrol now' button you can see the fee break-down options.

For home study, how do you teach the photographic techniques and how do I hand up my assignments?
It is all email based. Photography is like a science. You are given information on how to adjust aperture, shutter speed etc and then you are given set tasks to experiment with.

It is easy for your photography tutor to tell from looking at an image how you might improve those photos - whether it is a matter of angle, aperture, shutter speed, light direction or filters etc.

You do the set tasks for each lesson and then submit the assignments. The set tasks are fun and can see you going on many photography adventures.

 

 
         
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.

You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.

Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans.
We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).


What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course is aimed at providing you with a solid understanding of the subject. It has been designed to take 600 hours, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and more. When you complete the course, will have a good understanding of the area/ industry you want to work in.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exams (8-9 exams) and you will be able receive your course certificate- an Advanced Certificate. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

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We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

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