School of Journalism offers Certificate of Digital Proficiency

The West Virginia University Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism will now offer a Certificate of Digital Proficiency to help journalism students prepare for a future in new media.

Students must take 12 credit hours in classes that build skills in interactive journalism, video editing, blogging and design software to earn the certification.

Bob Britten, the journalism professor who helped create the certificate, said being digitally proficient is more important than ever for aspiring journalists.

"We wanted to reward students for pursuing a focused emphasis on digital communication," Britten said. "If you have this certificate, you can say, ‘I have shown my ability to successfully use a variety of digital communication channels.' This could really set students apart in job interviews."

The Certificate of Digital Proficiency will serve as a supplement to journalism students' diplomas if all classes are completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Britten said he was inspired to create the certificate by a similar program offered at the University of Missouri.

"It's like a supplement. Yes, you'll have a journalism degree, but you will have also demonstrated your proficiency in a certain area," he said.

Zachary Voreh, a junior broadcast journalism student, said the certificate is a necessity for modern journalism students, no matter what their future goals may be.

"It's almost impossible to avoid using a computer as a journalist. Having this certificate shows you are dedicated to your career," Voreh said.

Modern media outlets now upload articles, video's and pictures with

instantaneous news updates, and Voreh said learning about these new mediums can make students more attractive to employers.

"If you have a diploma, that shows you graduated. Having this certificate shows you actually have the skills employers need," he said.

For more information on the digital proficiency certificate, visit www.journalism.wvu.edu.