Certificate in Sports Journalism

The certificate program in sports journalism provides students a basic understanding of the field of sports journalism. The program combines theoretical information with writing and production experience. Webster University will issue a certificate recognizing the successful completion (C or better in all courses) of a 19-credit-hour core in sports journalism. All courses must be taken at Webster University.

Portfolio Requirements

Students obtaining a certificate in Sports Journalism complete a portfolio of their work as part of the requirements of JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production Workshop, under the supervision of their professor.

Requirements

19 credit hours

Required Courses

JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting (3)

Students learn the basic forms and techniques of modern journalistic writing. Students write both simple and complex news stories and are introduced to feature writing and other specialized story forms. Basic word processing skills and competence in diction and grammar are required.

JOUR 1830 Broadcast Delivery and Interpretation (3)

Students learn and practice on-air presentation techniques for effective broadcast delivery and interpretation. The course focuses on voice control, voice, and the phrasing and interpretation of copy. May be repeated for credit.

JOUR 1930 Sports Broadcasting (3)

Students learn techniques, strategies, style, and structure of sports play-by-play and color commentary. The distinguishing characteristics of the media of television and radio and their impact on style and content of sports broadcasting are considered. The course focuses on the characteristics of radio and television, sports as drama, journalism, and entertainment, and critiques of professional and student broadcasts. Assignments include radio and television coverage of Webster Gorlok athletic events. May be repeated for credit.

JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production Workshop (2-4)

The course forms the center of the journalism curriculum. In it students learn to apply the journalistic theories, principles, and techniques they have learned in the classroom to newspaper production. Theories of journalism are tested and refined by the everyday practice of getting out the campus newspaper.

Students meet several times during the week to gain firsthand experience in developing the skills necessary to produce a readable and attractive publication. Students are required to work a minimum of five hours per week on production of the campus newspaper. Prerequisite: JOUR 2140, JOUR 2170, JOUR 2300, OR permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit.

JOUR 4050 Sports Reporting (3)

Students learn the principles, strategies, and techniques involved in sports reporting by analyzing a variety of sports styles and approaches and producing sports articles throughout the course. Prerequisite: JOUR 1030.