In one to two years--while studying from home, work or on the road — students can earn a graduate-level certificate from a nationally acclaimed journalism and mass communication school at one of the premier public universities in the U.S. All courses are taught completely online and no travel to the UNC campus is required.
Benefits
The Certificate in Technology and Communication will help students see how communications technology has changed the way people live, think and communicate. Through readings, online forum discussions, audio lectures and e-mail, students interact with award-winning professors as well as with virtual classmates.
The program attracts a variety of professionals from a range of disciplines. Some students plan to use the certificate credits towards a graduate degree. Others want to broaden their knowledge of new media or add academic training to their professional background.
Classes are small — usually no more than 20 students--to foster a seminar-like atmosphere.
Curriculum
JOMC 710: "Computing Concepts and Issues: Power Tools for the Mind" (3 credit hours)
JOMC 711: "Writing for Digital Media" (3 credit hours)
JOMC 712: "Visual Communication and Web Design" (3 credit hours)
JOMC 713: "Global Impact of New Communication Technologies" (3 credit hours)
JOMC 714: "Database and Web Research" (3 credit hours)
Upon completion of any four of the five courses, students receive a certificate as well as a notation on their UNC-Chapel Hill transcript. Courses are taught in both the fall and spring semesters, and students can enroll in one or two classes per semester. The program’s faculty (PDF) are recognized experts in their fields as well as accomplished at teaching online.
Admission
Applicants for the Certificate in Technology and Communication must have a bachelor's degree to apply for admission to the certificate program. Priority is given to those with a 3.0 GPA and three years in a communications-related field. Information regarding application requirements and deadlines can be found at jomc.unc.edu/apply.
Learning at a distance
The Certificate in Technology and Communication is completely online. That means students can learn from any location with a computer and an Internet connection. It is strongly suggested that students have a home broadband connection to the Internet and a computer running the latest Windows or Mac operating system.
Courses are delivered using the Blackboard course-management system, which students access on the first day of class. Within the Blackboard system, the instructor will post a syllabus, links to course materials and announcements.
An important part of each class is participation in discussion boards available on Blackboard. Online discussion can be very vigorous and in some cases will exceed what students may have experienced in the classroom. Everyone is expected to participate. The quality of online discussion is cited regularly as a favorite part of the program.
Distance learning is not for everyone. It requires self-motivation and discipline. Students should expect to spend six to nine hours a week on coursework in each three-credit-hour class. Instructors are available by e-mail or phone for students needing additional assistance.
What Is a Certificate?
An academic certificate is comprised of a series of post-baccalaureate courses that enables a student to explore a specific area of study. Like a master's or doctoral degree, a certificate is offered by a host academic department, is approved by UNC-Chapel Hill's Graduate School, and is related to an academic area of study. Some credits earned in a certificate program are eligible to be applied to graduate-degree programs. Certificates are noted on University transcripts, and no distinction is made between certificates earned online and those earned on campus. Admission to the certificate program has no bearing on admission to the school's residential graduate-degree programs.
For more information
Please explore the remainder of the Web site to learn more about what the program has to offer. The Office of Professional Education can answer additional questions about how distance education works or about the curriculum. To discuss the program and how it may fit with personal educational goals, please contact:
Louise Spieler, Associate Dean for Professional Education and Strategic Initiatives
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Campus Box 3365, 316 Carroll Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365
Ph: 919.843.8137 or toll-free 1.877.668.0674
Fax: 919.843-8138
E-Mail:
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Rachel Lillis, Assistant Director for Office of Distance Education and Executive Education
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Campus Box 3365, 309 Carroll Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365
Ph: 919.966.7024
Fax: 919.843.8138
E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Toll-free: 1.877.668.0674
For more information about distance education at UNC-Chapel Hill, please visit http://distance.unc.edu/.
