Programs

Online news and information sites are transforming the field of journalism. Get the skills you need to break into this up-and-coming field through our innovative, nationally recognized Certificate in Journalism. Named a Program of Excellence by the University Continuing Education Association - the most prestigious award in the field of distance learning - this exclusively online program lets you study with award-winning instructors and professional journalists at the top of their field, many of whom offer specialized coursework not available through on-campus programs. Whether your background is in journalism or a completely different field, you'll complete this five-course program prepared to work in travel writing, sports writing, photojournalism, war reporting, science writing, arts criticism, citizen journalism and a host of other dynamic fields.

Program Highlights:

• First - Rate Faculty
• Learn from a diverse course environment with students enrolled from around the world
• Commitment to the Student Experience

Learn more about this program:

To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on inquire now to the right. 

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the Certificate in Journalism.

Registration is administered through UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education. Please see Fee Schedule below.

Type of Fee	Amount
Fee per credit	$380
Registration Fee per semester	$45
Late Reg. Fee per semester*	$60
Returned Check Fee per semester**	$30
Total for course***	$1185 (380x3 credits = 1140 + 45 registration fee per semester)

Click here to browse our course listings.

*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled

** applicable when checks returned unpaid

*** Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
  
• Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
  
• UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 'Excellence in Online Teaching' Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Ranked 45th Best University System in the World - London Times
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 

Open to students from all disciplines. No application necessary.

This certificate requires students to take a total of 15 credits in five courses. JOURNAL 300, Newswriting and Reporting, is required, plus four other courses for a total of 15 credit hours.

Contact:

For more information or if you have additional questions, please contact Professor Norman Sims at sims@journ.umass.edu.

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Amherst school code number 002221.
3. For more information please click here.

"E-books have taken online education to a new level. Being abroad, I had troubles finding English bookstores. I worried this would impede my plans to study at UMassOnline. Not only was having access to e-books cheaper than ordering books, it also allowed me to be on the same pages as my online classmates all over the world. The UMass library's ebook collection is large and continues to grow. The system is user friendly and easy to browse through. With many now reading online newspapers instead of print, it is only a matter of time before more universities begin having online ebook libraries." Yasmin Aboelsaud, UMass Amherst