PPA Professional Certificate in Journalism

The PPA’s established Certificate Programme for working journalists is now available online

The new online version of the PPA Professional Certificate in Journalism is ideal for experienced journalists who find it difficult to spare the time needed to gain vital industry qualifications.  The flexible format allows learners to submit their work and complete exams online, and these are then assessed by expert ContentETC tutors.  Successful candidates earn the PPA Professional Certificate in Journalism, a qualification that is recognised and respected around the world.

Successful candidates can also add their portfolio of work and Professional Certificate to their CV.  The PPA also celebrate their achievements at the annual Magazine Academy event, and all students gaining the Professional Certificate have their names published by the PPA in their regular e-update to PPA members.

Professional Certificate candidates compile a portfolio of work drawn from their day-to-day tasks, and respond to questions that help test the skills and knowledge that are essential for effective audience-focused journalism.  Candidates then submit their work for professional assessment by expert industry tutors. 

The PPA Professional Certificate in Journalism now has six sections:

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

The assessment for the Professional Certificate takes into account the following criteria:

Module 1: Understanding your audience
Candidates will answer detailed scenario questions, and demonstrate their understanding of the reader relationship with sample feature and news ideas for a target reader.

Module 2: Media law and ethics
Candidates will answer detailed scenario questions and successfully complete a media law exam.

Module 3: Gathering information
Candidates will answer detailed scenario questions, and submit six stories demonstrating information gathering skills (these can be print, web, or a mixture of both, and must include both the original and sub-edited versions).

Module 4:  Writing and producing content for print and online
Candidates submit six stories, including headlines (these can be print, web, or a mixture of both, and must include both the original and sub-edited versions).

Module 5:  Sub-editing and proof reading
Candidates successfully complete a subbing and proofreading test.

Module 6:  Design awareness
Candidates submit 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.

Once the candidate’s work has been  assessed as reaching the required standard, they will be awarded their PPA Professional Certificate in Journalism. 

Cost

• PPA Members £775 + VAT (members may also pay in installments)
• Non-members £930 + VAT

Mentoring

Candidates can also purchase additional online time with an expert tutor to help them build up a body of work.  Candidates are free to purchase time with their tutor as and when they need it, charged at an agreed hourly rate. 

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

Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it the PPA or visit their website for more information or book your place now.