Journalism
Degree Awarded: | Bachelor of Journalism (BJourn) |
Program Website: | rsj.journalism.ryerson.ca (opens in new window) |
Administered by: | School of Journalism |
Program Format: | Full-time, four-year program. Full-time, degree completion program with Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. |
Ryerson's Journalism program prepares students for a digital-first news culture while keeping the essentials of reporting and the social role of journalism front and centre in their learning experience. Featuring broad course choices in both professional and academic areas, the program also allows students freedom to set their educational priorities and tailor their program to preferred career paths.
Full-Time, Four-Year Program
Admission Guidelines: O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English (ENG4U)/Anglais (EAE4U).
Notes:
- A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in ENG4U/EAE4U.
- Applicants are required to provide information on their journalism and life experience and submit a 300-word essay on a topic to be provided. A portfolio of published (or unpublished) journalistic work is highly encouraged. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program (opens in new window) page for details about the non-academic requirements.
- A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
- Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Degree Completion Program with Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Ryerson will consider graduates of the following Sheridan College two-year diploma programs for advanced-level admission to Ryerson’s Journalism Program:
- Sheridan College Journalism – Broadcast Diploma
- Sheridan College Journalism – Print Diploma
- Sheridan College Journalism – 2-year diploma launched September 2015
Projected completion of the Journalism degree requirements is five semesters and is dependent on a number of variables, including diploma program studies completed, space availability and the individual student’s progress in the program curriculum.
Admission Guidelines:
- O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English (ENG4U)/Anglais (EAE4U).
- A grade of 70 percent or higher is required in ENG4U/EAE4U.
- Completion of an acceptable Sheridan College two-year diploma program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) is required.
- Applicants are required to provide information on their journalism and life experience and submit a 300-word essay on a topic to be provided. A portfolio of published (or unpublished) journalistic work is highly encouraged. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program (opens in new window) page for details about the non-academic requirements.
- A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
- Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Students are introduced to journalism as practised across all forms of media within the first two years, after which they may choose courses to concentrate in specific media (online, newspaper, magazine and broadcast) or gain expertise in a cross-media skill such as editing, or in a specific beat in journalism (including sports, business or international reporting).
After taking courses building skills and evaluating theories associated with journalism, students may finish their program with an internship at a professional news organization and/or with the chance to work on the School of Journalism's print, broadcast and online products (see the School's website for details).
Students are coached and assisted by instructors drawn from major newspapers, magazines, online news, and television and radio networks. Students also take a variety of liberal studies and professionally-related subjects.
Liberal Studies
Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.
Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .
Table A - Lower Level Restrictions
Fall 2014 and prior admits: English courses are not available for credit.
Minors
Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window) for complete details.
1st & 2nd Semester
REQUIRED:
CORE ELECTIVES: Two courses from the following:
ECN 104 | Introductory Microeconomics |
ECN 204 | Introductory Macroeconomics |
ENG 110 | Literatures Across Borders |
ENG 208 | Introduction to Non-Fiction |
HIS 490 | International Relations from 1945 |
HST 407 | Canada from 1885: The Struggle for Identity |
POG 100 | People, Power and Politics |
POG 110 | Power and Influence in Canadian Politics |
OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
3rd & 4th Semester
REQUIRED:
PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2017-2018.
REQUIRED:
JRN 344 | How Journalism Matters |
PROFESSIONAL:
Four one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table I.
PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.
PROFESSIONAL or OPEN ELECTIVES:
One course from Table I, Table II or Open Elective Table.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Last Offered 2017-2018 to students admitted before Fall 2015.
REQUIRED and PROFESSIONAL: One option from the following:
Option 1*:
or
Option 2:
Revised 7th & 8th Semester curriculum begins 2018-2019 for students admitted Fall 2015 and after.
REQUIRED and PROFESSIONAL: Select one option* from the following:
Option 2 (Project): | ||
JRN 840 | Journalism Capstone Project | |
Plus three one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table IV (opens in new window) . |
OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.
PROFESSIONAL and/or OPEN ELECTIVES:
Four one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table I, Table II, Table IV or Open Elective Table.
* Enrolment in these courses may require an interview.
A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).
Andrea Baillie
Managing Editor
The Canadian Press
Theresa Ebden
Director, Media & Analyst Relations (Canada)
Accenture
John Honderich
Chair
Torstar Corporation
Joanne Macdonald
Vice-President, CTV News and General Manager, CP24
Bell Media
Marissa Nelson
Senior Managing Director
Ontario CBC
Mike Omelus
VP National News and Newsgathering
Corus Entertainment / Global News
David Scanlan
Canada Bureau Chief
Bloomberg News
David Skok
ONA Board of Directors
Scott White (Chair)
Former Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Press
Former VP, Postmedia
Ing Wong-Ward
Associate Director
Centre for Independant Living, Toronto
Kenny Yum
Editor-in-Chief
Huffington Post/AOL Canada