Courses, Plan of Study & Online Learning

Course Schedule | Plan of Study | Online Learning

Course Schedule

Fall Semester: Class meetings are held in Knight Hall. 

  • JOUR 504: Introduction to Multimedia Skills, Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Room 1101; instructor Emma Schwartz, associate producer and reporter, PBS Frontline; former multimedia reporter, Center for Public Integrity.
  • JOUR 652: Intermediate Multimedia Journalism, Saturdays: 1:30–5:15 p.m.; Room 2105; instructor Mark W. Smith, senior manager, social media marketing, USA Today; former Web editor and technology columnist, Detroit Free Press. 

  For both fall semester courses, there are 12 class meetings in all. 

  • Classes begin September 7 and end December 7.
  • There will be no classes held September 14 (for Yom Kippur) and November 30 (for Thanksgiving). 

Spring Semester: Class meetings are held in Knight Hall, Room 1101. 

  • JOUR 623: Mobile Journalism, Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Instructor is Assistant Professor Ron Yaros from Merrill College, a former broadcast journalist and entrepreneur.
  • JOUR 455: Media Entrepreneurship, Saturdays, 1:30–5:15 p.m.  Lead instructor is David Cross, an MBA with 30 years experience in business development. 

For both spring semester courses, there are 12 class meetings in all.

  • Classes begin January 26 and end May 4.
  • There will be no classes held on February 8, March 23, and March 30.

Plan of Study & Course Descriptions

The Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Journalism is an academic program requiring successful complete of 12 credits as outlined below. Completion of all four courses provides media professionals with a thorough understanding of digital communication and entrepreneurship, including the fundamentals of Web publishing, social networking and online community building. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to maintain good academic progress towards graduation. Students are responsible for keeping track of their progress and should review their academic record to ensure accuracy.

JOUR 455: Media Entrepreneurship [3 credits]
Principles and practices of entrepreneurship and business models for media. Students develop and pitch ideas for media businesses, perform skill-building exercises in business analysis, and digital media technologies, and study emerging media business models. Formerly JOUR 459E.

JOUR 504: Introduction to Multimedia Skills [3 credits]
Examining the basics of producing and editing digital photos, video, and audio. Topics include: framing, lighting, and other aspects of composition; sequencing, using wide, medium, and tight shots; and ethical considerations when collecting sound and visuals. Formerly JOUR 628G.

JOUR 623: Mobile Journalism [3 credits]
Mobile consumers want news. This course goes beyond just text messaging with a review of several mobile applications and the "hands-on" skills needed to collect and share news in the field. First, students learn how to remotely post information to blogs and social networks. Students then learn and practice the latest location-based production techniques using web services on wireless laptops and mobile devices. Students use laptops (and their own "SmartPhone") to record, edit and upload audio and video. Basic computer skills are required. Formerly JOUR 689M.

JOUR 652: Intermediate Multimedia Journalism [3 credits]
Editing and writing online, using basic Web-coding skills and tools to create news and feature packages for the Internet. New-media issues, including interactivity and individualization, are also to be discussed.

Online Learning

ELMS (Enterprise Learning Management System) is the online environment that supports most online teaching and learning at the University of Maryland. ELMS provides access to static course content (e.g., syllabi, schedules, announcements, and lecture notes), as well as access to interactive tools (e.g., discussion groups, live chats, and online assessments). If your course has an online learning element, below is information on how to access this.

To determine how to get started, click here.

  • The course instructor must first load the online course into ELMS. Usually this occurs no later than 24 hours prior to the course’s start date.
  • Once the course is in ELMS, registered students have automatic access, click here.
  • Only students who are registered and on the official class list can access the course.
  • It will take up to 24 hours for the system to add you into ELMS after you register.
  • If you were canceled for non-payment, you will lose access immediately.