New Three-Year Journalism Program Begins at Loyalist College in September

In September, Loyalist College will offer an exciting new blend of journalism training with the introduction of a three-year advanced diploma, Journalism - On-line, Print and Broadcast. The program will prepare graduates for a career in journalism with hands-on experience in the fundamentals of reporting and writing for print, radio, television and on-line. As students progress through the program they will develop on-line expertise and have the opportunity to focus on the print or broadcast sector. Members of the College's journalism advisory committees were united in their support for Loyalist's initiation of this advanced diploma that will meet the industry's need for professionals with a wide range of diversified skills and ability to work within the converging media environment.

Tony Grace is a graduate of the College's 2000 Broadcast Journalism class and is currently the 11 p.m. Ottawa news anchor for ATV which is part of the CTV Network. He is also the back-up anchor for their flagship weeknight 6 p.m. newscast. "Broadcasters and journalists who graduate from Loyalist are already recognized by leading employers in our industry as well-prepared, hands-on, skilled and ready to grow. The new program will create even more opportunities for graduates by recognizing the increased focus on on-line journalism which is affecting all aspects of our industry. Whether it is radio, television or print, we all share the common bond of using the web as a way to promote and publish our work."

"The skills needed to succeed as a journalist today are constantly evolving," said Lynn Haddrall, Editor-in-Chief of the Waterloo Region Record and Guelph Mercury and graduate of Loyalist's 1983 Print Journalism program. "We look for journalists who can tell compelling stories in many ways including print, video, broadcast and on-line. This program will help to prepare Loyalist students for the journalism of today and tomorrow."

"Every major media organization in Canada, the U.S. and around the world is converging so it's fantastic to hear that Loyalist is doing the same," said Marlo Pelysz, Project Manager Canoe.ca and graduate of Loyalist's 2001 E-Journalism program. "Here at Canoe.ca we're partnered with Canada's largest daily urban newspaper chain, Sun Media and the TV network SunTV. Together we're constantly building multimedia content packages to bring news to our readers faster and with more information than any of our other national competitors. I am excited to see what the graduates of this program will bring to this ever-evolving industry."

"In the third year of the program students will hone their craft and learn to flourish in the environment of an integrated newsroom where audio, visual, print, traditional broadcast and on-line professionals work side-by-side," said Jane Harrison, Acting Dean of Media Studies. "The program includes an eight-week internship that will give them valuable hands-on experience and open the door to amazing networking and career development opportunities. This program addresses the changes journalism is experiencing and will position our graduates as the new leaders of this landscape."

For more information about the new Journalism - On-line, Print and Broadcast program visit www.loyalistcollege.com.