Diploma in Journalism (Photojournalism), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

24 Months

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About this course

Our Journalism program with a focus on Photojournalism is designed for students passionate about storytelling through images. Over two years, you'll learn the basics of journalism, including ethical reporting, and develop specialized skills in photography, visual storytelling, and digital media. In the first year, you’ll cover news writing, basic photography, marketing, public relations, and online journalism. The second year emphasizes advanced photography techniques, lighting, portraiture, image editing, website development, videography, and long-form visual storytelling. The program prepares you to work as a photographer, combining images with text, audio, and video across various media formats. Small class sizes enhance hands-on learning, with particular caps on photography courses, ensuring personalized instruction. Additionally, a signature project called 'A Day in the Life of SAIT' allows you to showcase campus life with your photography skills within a single day, providing practical experience and a chance to build a compelling portfolio.

Why this course is highly recommended

This program offers a practical and comprehensive approach to photojournalism, combining technical photography skills with core journalistic principles. Its small class sizes and hands-on projects, including a real-world practicum, ensure personalized attention and professional readiness. Graduates have a high employment rate of 90%, reflecting the program's relevance and effectiveness in preparing students for careers in multimedia storytelling, photography, and digital media. The curriculum’s blend of classroom learning and field experience makes it especially valuable for students aiming to enter competitive media environments with confidence.

Specialisation

The program specializes in photojournalism, focusing on developing both technical and journalistic skills necessary for visual stories. Courses like Photojournalism I and II focus on shooting, editing, and storytelling, while advanced courses in lighting, workflow, and visual journalism enhance your expertise. The curriculum also covers multimedia storytelling, integrating still images with video and audio, preparing you for diverse platforms and modern news environments.

Course fees

Application fees

13.16L

1st year tuition fees

13.16L

Living cost

Degree requirements

The program requires the completion of 60 credits, equivalent to 20 courses, over two years. Students must attend four semesters, with courses divided between fundamental journalism, visual storytelling, technical photography, and advanced multimedia skills. To graduate, students need a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and course completion within set timeframes—up to seven years for the entire program, with some flexibility in course load and scheduling.

English language test

TOEFL

IELTS

PTE

DUOLINGO

115

Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria, and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology admission page for complete details.

Career prospects

Graduates from this photojournalism program can pursue careers in various fields such as photography, multimedia storytelling, news organizations, corporate and non-profit visual communications, social media content creation, and freelance journalism. The program's emphasis on visual storytelling, combined with digital media skills, prepares students to work as photojournalists, multimedia reporters, content creators, or visual storytellers in diverse settings, including digital platforms, print media, and broadcast outlets.

FAQs

What kind of projects will I work on during the program?

You will participate in projects like 'A Day in the Life of SAIT' to capture campus activities and gain practical experience. The curriculum also involves real-world photojournalism assignments, multimedia storytelling, and a practicum at a professional organization.

What equipment do I need as a student?

Students need to purchase camera gear costing between $600 and $2,000 initially, along with additional accessories like lighting and workflow tools costing around $2,000. A Mac computer, Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, and a smartphone are also required.