Full-time Programs
SPJN - Sports Journalism
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER
Program Length
One-Year Ontario College Post-Graduate Certificate
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Tony Orr | torr@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- A one-year intensive program for students interested in specializing in sports broadcast journalism.
- Students gain skill in reporting, interviewing, editing, shooting and writing with an emphasis on the radio and TV medium.
- Gain on-air experience at 91X, the College radio station, and the College television newscast.
- Students complete a 140-hour internship at a television or radio outlet or in a field related to sports journalism prior to graduation.
Career Opportunities
This intensive program allows students to focus on all aspects of
sports journalism. Employment opportunities exist across Canada, in small, medium or large markets. Practical hands-on experience prepares students for positions as producers, announcers, writers, researchers, videographers and editors. To maximize career opportunities, graduates should be willing to relocate.
Program Description
The emphasis of this program is on sports broadcasting (television and radio), although students will receive instruction in writing for the print and online media. Students will develop skills in interviewing, hosting, editing, shooting and researching. The curriculum includes course content on the history, politics and sociology of sport. Students will learn to apply critical thinking skills and to differentiate sports journalists from sports fans.
Coaching in on-air performance, and play-by-play reporting of live sports events, are integral components of this program.
Students will contribute sports reports for the College radio station, 91X FM. They will also produce, report, shoot, edit and host a documentary-style sports program for broadcast on 91X radio.
Students will contribute game reports, profiles and feature sports stories for the College’s television newscast. They will also produce, host, report, edit and shoot a documentary-style television sports program.
Approximate Cost
Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $3,241 (two semesters)
Consumables Fee: $320 (students receive a hard drive, audio recorder, thumb drive, microphone, tapes, headphones)
Admission Requirements
Applicants must first complete a college diploma or university degree – preferably in a journalism-related field.
High School Graduates – Students with a high-school diploma are not eligible for direct entry into this program.
Loyalist Graduates – Graduates from Loyalist College’s Journalism or Photojournalism programs may reserve a place in the Sports Journalism program. Students who identify this choice no later than the third semester, and successfully complete their program, can move directly into the Sports Journalism program. Students must apply through ontariocolleges.ca to be considered for admission.
College Graduates – College graduates with a diploma in a journalism or media-related field are encouraged to apply to this program. Eligibility for students with a college diploma in a non-journalism field will be determined on an individual basis.
University Degree – Students with a university degree in a media-related field are encouraged to apply to this program. Eligibility for students with a university degree in a non-journalism field will be determined on an individual basis.
Work-related experience – An applicant who has work-related experience in the television, radio or print medium will be considered for entry. Eligibility for admission will be considered on an individual basis after a review of the applicant’s demonstrated competencies and academic credentials.
Curriculum
Semester One
SPJN 1000 Radio Sports 1
Workshops in sports writing, interviewing, reporting, and instruction in the use of radio newsroom technology. Learners will then generate sports content and anchor sportscasts on 91X-FM, the college radio station.
SPJN 1001 Issues in Sport
A critical analysis of current issues in sport including the politics, business, ethics, and history of sport. This course has significant Web-based and seminar discussion components. The goal is to reinforce the notion that sports journalists are not sports fans.
SPJN 1002 TV Production Techniques 1
Workshops in TV sports writing and reporting, with instruction in the use of TV newsroom technology for shooting and editing. Learners will then generate sports content for broadcast in “QNet”, the college’s daily TV newscast.
SPJN 1003 On-air Performance
Workshops in the use of the voice, designed to develop good vocal habits, clarity and proper articulation, and pronunciation. Learners will gain an understanding of the importance of background research to provide knowledgeable play-by-play of live sports events.
SPJN 1004 Writing and Reporting for Sports
Instruction in essential reporting and writing skills, with an emphasis on the distinction between print-style and broadcast-style writing. The course will focus on proper use of grammar, copy-editing, generating story ideas, reporting, interviewing and writing to deadline.
Semester Two
INTN 1004 Internship
Under the guidance of faculty, each learner locates and organizes a minimum four-week (140-hour) placement in April. These internships typically occur in broadcast media outlets, but may also include print, on-line, or other journalism-related opportunities.
SPJN 1005 Radio Sports 2
A continuation of SPJN 1000 with an emphasis on enhanced hands-on broadcast experience in radio. Learners will produce, report, edit and anchor a documentary-style sports radio program for broadcast on 91X-FM. (Prerequisite: SPJN 1000 Radio Sports 1)
SPJN 1006 TV Sports/On-air Performance
A continuation of SPJN 1003 with an emphasis on enhanced expressiveness and broadcast performance techniques for television. (Prerequisite: SPJN 1003 On-air Performance)
SPJN 1007 Psychology/Sociology of Sports
An examination of sport as a microcosm of society. Learners explore the development of sport from the youth to elite level; examine the role racism and sexism play in sport; and apply critical thinking to the way in which athletes may become iconic figures. Learners also gain a journalistic perspective on the psychology of sport in terms of motivation, stress, aggression, and personality.
SPJN 1008 TV Production Techniques 2
A continuation of SPJN 1002 with an emphasis on enhanced hands-on experience. Learners will produce, report, edit, and anchor a documentary-style TV sports program. (Prerequisite: SPJN 1002: TV Production Techniques 1)
