UC offers new certificate to aspiring reporters

By Tawney Beans

Students at the University of Cincinnati will soon be able to obtain a political and public affairs reporting certificate, giving UC's program national distinction.

The collaboration between the College of Arts & Sciences’ departments of political science and journalism will be available to students in the fall of 2020 and will focus on political news coverage from local and data-driven perspectives.

“The certificate provides the opportunity for real-world skill development and experience,” said Brian Calfano, an associate professor of political science and journalism. “While journalists are always learning, and no program can ‘certify’ someone to be a reporter, students with this certificate will be well on their way to conducting effective political beat reporting, video production, data analysis and related activities that today's journalists must perform.”

Interdisciplinary programs teach students how to think critically and use concepts from various disciplines to solve complex issues, said Lisa Holstrom, senior assistant dean.

“The College of Arts and Sciences continues to look for innovative approaches to creating interdisciplinary curricula,” Holstrom said. “By finding synergies in subject matter, such as political science and journalism, we give students access to knowledge and understanding that they might not otherwise have had. They also get insights into how their education translates to real-world opportunity.”

At most other universities, political reporting is offered as an individual class rather than a complete program, making UC's department collaboration notable, Calfano said. The intensity of modern news cycles, particularly during election seasons, has sparked student interest in the new program.

While the list of required and elective courses for the certificate is being finalized, Calfano said political reporting, media production and political science electives will be incorporated into the certificate’s curriculum.