Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer field placements?
Yes. We work with a long list of media companies and agencies to provide level 4 students with six weeks of on-the-job experience. Students will also have the option of placement out of the region or country if they wish.

What would I experience?
Students learn through working on the Algonquin Times, the program’s news brand for the campus community, alumni and the surrounding area. Students research, write, provide photographs, shoot video, develop content for social media and produce audio stories using a variety of tools. Supplementing this experiential learning are lectures, labs, workshops, guest speakers and field trips.

What equipment do I need?
Each student is required to have a PC-compatible laptop computer for use in the program. The laptop should be equipped with a dual-core processor. The primary software used is Microsoft Word and Adobe Creative Suite, which are supplied by Algonquin College. Specifications are available at: http://www7.algonquincollege.com/byod/device.htm. Students must acquire a smartphone to practise mobile reporting. It is also mandatory to bring a DSLR camera which can shoot both still and video images.

What awards and bursaries are available to me?

Our Financial Aid website is continuously updated with what is available to our students.

What about the articulation agreement with the University of Ottawa that earns Algonquin College Journalism graduates both a diploma and a degree?
After students complete and receive the diploma, they may then apply for admission to the University of Ottawa Honours Bachelor in Digital Journalism program. If admitted, they receive 45 advanced standing credits and must complete five sessions of study (75 credits) at the university. The university will accept graduates of the Algonquin program who have a minimum final grade point average equivalent to 70 per cent or higher. Applicants also have the option of beginning studies at the university, and after completing the five sessions (75 credits), can then apply for admission to the Algonquin College program.

How do I progress through the program if I begin in the Winter intake?
Students who begin in January will continue their studies through the spring semester and then continue into the fall and winter semesters.

View the Journalism Program Progression Chart