SDSU Offers Professional Certificate in Digital Media
In collaboration with the SDSU School of Journalism and Media Studies, the certificate program will start offering courses in fall 2009.
A solid understanding of digital media tools is no longer optional for mid-career media professionals.
Starting this fall, the SDSU College of Extended Studies will offer a hands-on Professional Certificate in Digital Media designed to help working professionals in journalism, public relations, marketing and content production develop the practical skills they need to produce high-quality multimedia and online content.
Born of collaboration
In collaboration with SDSU's School of Journalism and Media Studies, and endorsed by the San Diego Press Club and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter, the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, SDSU Friends of Journalism and Media Studies, and the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, this program offers real industry credibility and state-of-the-art skills.
Participants will learn to use equipment, tools and software needed to create multimedia content and harness the interactive power of the Internet to reach an expanded audience. They’ll learn video planning, production and editing, and produce a multimedia presentation using industry standard Final Cut Pro software.
Upon completion, their web portfolio will include a website, blog, podcast, slide show and video.
Helping 'digital immigrants'
“These skills are not intuitive to many media professionals because they did not grow up as digital natives,” said Rebecca Coates-Nee, program advisor for the new Digital Media Program and professor in SDSU's School of Journalism and Media Studies.
“This certificate program will take mid-career professionals who have not been trained in new media and bring their skills up to the level needed to compete in the marketplace today.”
The professional certificate program welcomes mid-career professionals of any skill level, whether one is still learning how to "speak Twitter" to those comfortable with most digital media.
“We are reaching out to people who may have some level of training in new media, but they feel they are digital immigrants,” said Coates-Nee.
“It’s confusing to them, and they feel they need to have a place where they can practice. This series of courses will offer them hands-on opportunities and will help them move to the next level by using multimedia and Web 2.0 publishing tools.”
About the program
The Professional Certificate in Digital Media takes a comprehensive and logical approach to teaching the skills needed to navigate the digital era well. The program consists of courses in:
- Publishing on the Web
- Search Engine Optimization
- Social Networking Tools
- Audio and Slide Show Production, and
- Video Production for the Web.
These courses will be taught by highly regarded professionals from a variety of local media – including voiceofsandiego.org, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Channel 8 News and 10News – and by media consultants and instructors with specific digital media expertise.
All courses will be held evenings and Saturdays. The program can be completed in three months and fall courses begin Sept. 10. Each course will cost $249, which includes all necessary computer lab and on-site equipment use. Participants with three to five years of professional experience in a media field will benefit the most from this program.
“We’re aiming to create a community of purpose here,” said Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies.
“That means creating a space where media professionals can experiment, practice and become skilled in the latest digital technology, and come together to proactively define the cutting edge potential of these digital tools.”
For more information, call (619) 594-0787 or visit the program’s web page.
