PPA Foundation Certificate in Journalism

The essential certificate for all new journalists

The PPA Foundation Certificate in Journalism is a highly respected certificate for new, aspiring or inexperienced journalists working across all media channels and platforms.  The Foundation Certificate includes:

1. A comprehensive e-learning training programme developed by ContentETC
2. A minimum of 16 hours e-learning content with full online access
3. One-to-one trainer feedback throughout the programme
4. Expert assessment at the end of each e-learning module

The Foundation Certificate is a unique opportunity for trainee journalists to gain their own Certificate qualification without any direct involvement necessary from their employer, sponsor or line manager.

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E-learning → Trainer Feedback → Assessment → Certificate

The PPA Foundation Certificate in Journalism programme covers the following key areas, presented in six separate e-learning course modules:

• Module 1 - Understanding your audience
• Module 2 - Media law and ethics
• Module 3 - Gathering information
• Module 4 - Writing and producing content for print and online
• Module 5 - Sub-editing and proof reading
• Module 6 - Design awareness

Each e-learning module has between two and eight parts, and takes on average between two and six hours to complete.  Each module includes:

• Best practice tips and key learning points
• Examples of relevant print content
• Links to relevant web platforms and online content
• Practical study exercises for trainer assessment
• Self-test quizzes
• Section summaries reminding users of key points

How it works

The PPA Foundation Certificate has been designed for ease of learning and flexibility.  Candidates access the Certificate programme online, at a time and place to suit them, and complete the e-learning programme in stages.  Each candidate is then assessed and awarded a Certificate in each of the six modules.

1. E-learning

Candidates are emailed their enrolment information for their first Module and then complete the e-learning at a time, pace and location to suit them.  This process is repeated for each subsequent Module.

2. Trainer feedback

At the end of each e-learning module, the candidate is asked to submit work to the ContentETC trainer for feedback and to make sure they have really grasped the theory.  The trainer will give their expert feedback and, if required, ask the candidate to revise their work for a second set of comments.  (Modules 1 and 2, being knowledge-based, rather than skills-based sessions, will not require feedback from the trainer.  At the end of Modules 1 and 2 each candidate will be directed straight to the Assessment Stage.)

3. Assessment

After this feedback, the trainer will guide the candidate on what they need to do in order to build up a body of work for the Assessment, and provide clear instructions on how and where to submit this work.

Assessment is based on the following:

Module 1: Understanding your audience - candidates will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of the reader relationship, providing sample ideas for feature articles and news items for a target reader.

Module 2: Media law and ethics - candidates will need to successfully complete a media law exam.

Module 3: Gathering information - candidates will be asked to submit three stories or articles demonstrating their information gathering skills. These pieces can be created for print, web, or a mixture of both, with published work where applicable.   All work must be in its original and un-subbed form.

Module 4:  Writing and producing content for print and online - candidates will be asked to create and submit six stories, including relevant headlines. These can be created for print, web, or a mixture of both, with published work where applicable. All work must be in its original and un-subbed form.

Module 5:  Sub-editing and proof reading - candidates will need to successfully complete a subbing and proofreading test.

Module 6:  Design awareness - candidates will be asked to provide a critique of one print and one web page supplied by the assessor, with an explanation of where and why it succeeds, or fails, in design terms.

4. Certificate

Candidates will be awarded a Certificate on reaching the required standard for their first Module.  They will then be emailed their enrolment information for their second Module and the learning process starts again, until all six Modules have been completed.

Cost

• PPA Members - £1585 + VAT (members may also pay in installments) 
• Non-members - £1743.50 + VAT

Mentoring
Mentoring is always available to candidates if they feel they need more input from the trainer, above and beyond the feedback already included in the Certificate fee.  Candidates can purchase extra time with the trainer as and when they need it, charged at an hourly rate. 

More information on mentoring, plus full details of access deadlines, reassessment options, etc can be found in Fees and Enrolment.

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