Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Journalism

The program is offered through the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism. Focusing particularly on the Internet and mobile devices, the program helps you stay current with trends and software, building skills that are in demand in news organizations, businesses and non-profit organizations.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact the program director, Principal Lecturer Chris Harvey, via email: charvey@umd.edu.

The Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Journalism (Z071) is a 12-credit, 4-course graduate program designed for professional communicators to learn the skills and concepts needed for digital storytelling across media platforms, particularly the Internet and mobile devices. 

• Plan of study topics include an Introduction to Multimedia Skills; Interactive Design and Development; Social Media Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Analytics; and Media Entrepreneurship.
• Focuses on the skills and concepts needed for digital storytelling across media platforms, particularly the Internet and mobile devices. 
• Combines practical training in video, audio, photography, blogging, and interactive web publishing with the critical application of journalism’s honored principles.
• Students learn to shoot and edit photos and video for nonfiction storytelling; create interactive, responsive web pages using html and css; write stories and social media posts using mobile devices and engage with audiences on social media; and research and pitch ideas for new digital media businesses.
• Can be completed in nine months of continuous part-time enrollment. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director.
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
• The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan

Courses

For a listing of program courses, see the Graduate School Catalog program requirements for Z071. For course descriptions that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see JOUR.

Overall

• Features dynamic and interactive seminar-style blended learning and online learning. 
• Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in the fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
• Classes are held Saturdays.

In-Person Learning

• When on UMD College Park campus, classes meet in Knight Hall. Knight Hall is a high-tech building that combines classrooms, multimedia labs, offices, and professional journalism centers in an inviting, open space.
• Instructors present dynamic and interactive seminar-style instruction.
• Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements.

Online Learning

• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, courses feature synchronous instruction and some asynchronous work.
• Lectures are video or audio archived for students who are unable to attend due to illness or emergencies.

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

• Demonstrate facility with digital news and storytelling by using a variety of techniques, formats, and media platforms as appropriate.
• Use to best advantage the news and storytelling technologies currently available for digital publishing.
• Master basic skills needed to convey messages via digital video, audio, photos and text, and to interact with audiences on social media.
• Apply in all digital publishing the critical journalistic values of editorial, ethical, and legal care and excellence.
• Demonstrate understanding of processes and conditions needed for successful communication with today’s multimedia consumers and audiences.
• Understand start-up basics, including market research, organizing and funding, and how to change an existing media company from within.
• Produce a plan for sustainable media start-up or internal corporate enterprise.