Media Criticism and Journalism
CERT2
Why study Media Criticism and Journalism?
This One-Year Certificate program provides practical study in media research, criticism, and professional writing on media-related topics. Subject areas emphasized include media history and criticism, journalistic reporting and writing, photojournalism, film and television studies, and scriptwriting. The writing skills gained through completion of this program will also enhance the abilities of any transfer major, particularly those interested in art, design, communications, education, or broadcasting. All program students have the opportunity to develop a substantial and varied writing portfolio. The Media Criticism and Journalism certificate is offered on-line.
The certificate program may be pursued as a stand-alone One-Year Certificate program, or may be undertaken as a minor in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree with prior approval. This certificate may be combined with the Associate of Applied Science or Professional Certificate in Applied Media Communications for an enhanced set of professional credentials upon completion of the program. Students interested in this option must consult with academic and financial aid advisors to determine a plan for dual completion.
Upon completion of this program the student will receive a certificate from the University of Cincinnati documenting the accomplishment. This credential is not the same as, and should not be confused with, the associate degree offered by our department.
Admission Requirements
Open Admission
This program is open to all students with the desire to succeed in college, a high school diploma or GED, and SAT or ACT test scores. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards found in the Department Program Requirements in order to advance to upper levels of study. These Program Requirements are available on the department website.
Students who succeed in the media criticism and journalism program are creative thinkers who have an interest in reporting, storytelling, and writing. They approach assignments in a creative manner to satisfy an instructor’s or editor’s vision. They apply their creative energy, academic knowledge of media, and writing skills to develop the written word for a number of different applications or audiences. They are willing to work hard and are able to meet deadlines.
Graduates of this major pursue careers in a variety of professional settings. These include advertising, audio recording, graphic design and media, photography, print and publishing, television and video production, and web development. Job titles include:
- Copy writer
- Film or media critic
- Image researcher
- Journalist
- Media reviewer
- Media researcher
- Photojournalist
- Photographer
- Scriptwriter
This one-year certificate program may be used as a minor at UC, provided it is approved by the academic advisor for the degree program in which the student is matriculated. Courses in the media criticism and journalism program are only offered once each year. Therefore, prerequisite courses for two course sequences are only available in the fall semester. This minor is offered online.
Nicole Trimble, Academic Advisor
nicole.trimble@uc.edu, 513-558-9475, Muntz 253K
Students enrolled in Aqpplied Media Communications courses enjoy small classes and interaction with faculty and professional staff. In some classes students will work on actual projects for clients in the community. We offer recommendations on our website for computer hardware and software resources required to complete student production activities within the curriculum.
Labs and other facilities
There is student access to computer resources at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (UCBA), including the computer concourse (M112) with Macintosh and Windows computers. There are open lab hours for students that are posted on the UCBA Technology Resources website. The UCBA Library (M113) has a limited number of Mac and PC laptops that may be borrowed and used on campus. Check with the library for details of the loans.
Media Communications & Technology maintains three studio/lab/production studio spaces available for student use to complete academic assignments. The studio/lab facilities are scheduled for both open lab and through individual reservations for student use. The schedule varies by term and the open hours are posted outside the labs and on the department website. The equipment available in the labs also varies per term and courses taught.
A wide range of specialized media production equipment is available specifically for program students. These resources include: professional audio recorders; microphones and headphones; digital audio workstations; DSLR still/video cameras and accessories; video cameras; tripods and dollies; lighting kits; and many other items.
UCTV
Media Communications & Technology also operates UCTV providing online steaming and on demand video services. UCTV is available on campus cable system and our programming is available via cable access channels throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. We have a full television studio and control room where our shows are produced.
Performance Package Certificate Programs
Media Communications & Technology offers a number of performance package certificate programs to help students upgrade skills and knowledge to become more marketable professionals and more valuable employees. Each performance package certificate consists of three courses that build production or critical skills in a particular discipline. Students can typically complete one of these Performance Packages in a single year. Applied Media Communications students can complete one or more of the Performance Package programs as they complete the required courses for the associate of applied science degree, professional certificate, or one-year certificate program.
Students successfully completing all of the courses in a performance package, earning a grade of C or better in each course, receive a certificate of achievement. Students will receive the certificate upon approval of the application form, and may complete any number of the certificate packages.
For more information contact:
Roo Hedrick, Program Coordinator & Production Manager, phone: 513-558-8300, roo.hedrick@uc.edu.
A grade of C- or better must be earned in all Applied Media Communications courses that serve as prerequisite requirements, or as capstone experiences, to be eligible to graduate from the program.
Transferring to UC Blue Ash College
A student wishing to transfer to UC Blue Ash College from another accredited college or university should be guided by the following statement of policy:
- Transfer applications are individually reviewed, and acceptance is based on receipt of application materials, as well as official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student’s file is complete.
- Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies. Enrollment Services shall have discretionary authority to accept credits from other institutions in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
- Only grades of C or better are accepted. Special exceptions may be granted at the discretion of Enrollment Services in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
- There is a 10-year expiration limit for acceptance of transfer credits. Exceptions can be made by Enrollment Services in consultation with the appropriate program directors or department chairpersons.
- For all situations not covered by the above, the decision will be referred to the department involved when appropriate.
Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.
Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at UC Blue Ash College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.
Application Deadlines
The Associate of Applied Science degree and the Professional Certificate in Applied Media Communications are designed to be completed in two years, provided students are full-time and do not need prep courses in English and Math. The One-Year Certificate programs are designed to be completed in one year, provided students are full-time and do not need prep courses in English. To successfully complete these academic programs in two years (AAS and Professional Certificate) or one year (Animation, Interactive Web Multimedia, and Media Criticism & Journalism), students must begin in the fall semester. Beginning in any other term than Fall semester may require additional semesters to complete the program and may also affect financial aid.
Programmatic Disclosure
Certificate: Media Criticism & Journalism
ONET Occupational Crosswalk Match Links
Link: onetonline.org/link/summary/27-1014.00
Institutional OPEID - 3125
CIP Code – 500505
SOC Code – 27-3022
Contact Information
University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH 45236
(513) 558-8300
roo.hedrick@uc.edu
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Program Code: 28CRT-MCJ-C2