Diploma in Journalism Studies

Please see the Diploma in Communication, Culture and Journalism Studies.

This two-year diploma introduces students to journalism and media criticism and to the contemporary social and cultural context within which journalists work. The program combines writing intensive courses in Communications and English with courses in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Canadian History.

While students may proceed directly to potential entry-level careers in journalism, especially in small markets and independent digital environments, completion of this program is intended primarily to provide students with the liberal arts education necessary to further study in journalism.

Admission Requirements

Regular Applicants: A regular applicant will be a secondary graduate or a secondary school student, or its equivalent, who has or who will complete the requirements for senior secondary graduation, or its equivalent, not less than one month prior to commencement of classes for the semester to which admission is sought - either fall or winter. The following minimum entrance requirements will apply to regular applicants:

• B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent.

• English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.

Students with a passing grade of less than 60% in English 12, English 12 First Peoples or TPC 12 will be admissible to the first year of the Associate of Arts Degree, subject to the following conditions:

1. Registration is restricted to courses for which the student satisfies the prerequisites. Registration in first-year English courses is, therefore, prohibited.

2. Successful completion of the English entrance requirements within the first year of studies. This may be done in one of the following ways:

   • Successful completion of English 12, English 12 First Peoples or TPC 12 or an equivalent course with a minimum grade of 60%. This may be done concurrently through the College's Adult Basic Education Program or by completing an equivalent course through a distance education program.

   • Writing the LPI and obtaining a score of at least 24/40 (level 4).

Mature Applicants: A mature applicant will be at least 19 years of age and will not have attended secondary school on a full-time basis for a minimum period of one year.

Secondary graduation is waived for mature applicants. The English entrance requirements, as stated above, must be satisfied prior to admission. Admission may be granted on the condition that the entrance requirements will be completed prior to the commencement of classes for the semester to which admission is sought - either fall or winter.

Transfer Students: Students who transfer to Okanagan College may be eligible for transfer credits towards an Okanagan College Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree or a General Studies diploma for work successfully completed at another recognized institution.

Graduation Requirements

The Diploma in Journalism Studies will be granted upon the successful completion of 60 prescribed credits, including 15-18 credits in Communications, 9-12 credits of English, 3 credits of History, 6 credits of Political Science, 3 credits of Economics, 3 credits of Philosophy, 9 credits of Arts electives (6 of which must be at the second-year level), and 9 credits of Science (including a minimum of 3 credits of Mathematics, Computer Science, or Statistics and a minimum three credits of lab science.)

Program Outline

Example Course Sequence (Full-time Student)