Businesses » Australian College Journalism (Advanced Freelance Journalism) Program
FJA

Australian College Journalism (Advanced Freelance Journalism) Program

Learn expert techniques to succeed in freelance journalism.
Course Introduction
Course Summary
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
COURSE FEES

Course Description

Elevate Your Career in Media
Our Advanced Freelance Journalism course is designed to equip you with the skills to excel in the fast-paced world of journalism, helping you create impactful stories and succeed in a diverse range of media roles.

What You’ll Be Able to Do in Your Job Role
Upon completing this course, you’ll possess advanced journalism skills that will make you a valuable asset in any media organisation. Whether writing for newspapers, magazines, or digital platforms, you will be able to:

  • Craft Compelling Articles: You’ll master the ability to write professional, engaging news articles, features, and opinion pieces that attract readers and editors alike. Whether it’s investigative journalism or human interest stories, you’ll understand how to structure articles using techniques like the inverted pyramid and strong narrative hooks.
  • Conduct Effective Interviews: Gain the expertise to carry out in-depth interviews, whether over the phone, in person, or remotely. Your strong interviewing techniques will help you gather valuable quotes and insights, which are essential for creating newsworthy content.
  • Excel in Research and Fact-Checking: You’ll become proficient in sourcing accurate information, using both online resources and traditional methods. This will ensure your articles are well-researched, credible, and informative, strengthening your reputation as a reliable journalist.
  • Adapt to Multiple Media Formats: Learn to adapt your writing for different platforms, whether you’re working with print, broadcast, or online media. You’ll develop skills in writing for television, radio, and photojournalism, ensuring your versatility in today’s multimedia landscape.
  • Manage a Freelance Journalism Business: You’ll gain valuable insights into running your own freelance business, from building relationships with editors to negotiating contracts and managing multiple assignments. With a clear understanding of how to promote your work and handle rejections, you’ll be well-prepared to thrive in a competitive industry.

Flexible Learning, Anytime, Anywhere
With self-paced online learning, you can enrol and begin your studies at any time, fitting your course around your personal and professional commitments. Learn from anywhere and advance your career on your terms.

Take Action – Enrol Today
Ready to step into the world of freelance journalism? Call us on +61 1300 783 283 to enrol and start your journey toward a rewarding career in media and journalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Australian College online courses nationally recognised?

Australian College is a Registered Training Organisation, regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). All of our Certificate and Diploma courses are accredited as nationally recognised qualifications. We also offer professional development courses which are not accredited nor nationally recognised but provide you the opportunity to improve on your existing skills.

Regular Contact from Us. Yes – We Call You!

Australian College is proactive about being in touch. When you apply to enrol, our Student Support team will call you immediately and guide you through to finish the enrolment process. They will also contact you regularly to ensure you are on track and comfortable with online learning. After your onboarding has been completed a Student Adviser will make contact to introduce themselves as your main point of contact and assistance with your ongoing study. You will continue to receive regular phone calls, emails and SMS to check your progress and offer help. If we see you getting behind, we will increase our efforts to contact you to ensure you are getting the help you need. Study online - not alone and be supported every step of the way!

Access to Course Materials

All of the course materials are accessed and completed online, allowing learners to complete subjects at a time and place that suits them. Online course login details are provided via email as soon as the enrolment details are finalised. Online learners can: ● Access online learning and assessment materials 24/7 ● Submit assessments, view assessment results and assessor feedback ● Update their contact details

No Exams and lots of Help

There are no stressful exams. Our assessments are thorough but are self-paced and help is only a phone call or email away. Activities that you are asked to do are practical and based on real life workplace experiences and needs. Once you start your course, you will be issued your course timetable and we will help you keep to it so that you end up with the qualification that you deserve as quickly as is feasible.

Start and study anytime – Enjoy the flexibility

Australian College does not have strict starting dates, giving you the ability to decide when you want to start your course. Once your enrolment is approved your personal login details will give you access to your course materials 24/7 and allowing you the flexibility to choose when and where you study.

Course Summary

Course Code FJA
Qualification gained Australian College Journalism (Advanced Freelance Journalism) Program
Study mode Flexible delivery online
Flexible duration Up to 12 months
Study load Self-paced
Start date Start anytime
Assessment method Short Answer Questions, Writing Assessments
Nationally recognised No
Course units Module 1 – Getting Started in Freelance Journalism

Reading 1 – The World of Journalism
An Introduction to Freelance Journalism
The Journalist’s Role
Careers in Journalism
A Brief History of Journalism
Inside a Newspaper
Working as a Freelance Journalist
The Journalist’s Toolkit
Writing a Journalism Article
Getting Started – Space Fillers

Reading 2 – News Reporting
What You Need to Succeed as a Freelance News Journalist
Article Structure: The Inverted Pyramid
Writing The Lead
Writing The Body
Writing The Tail
Angles Sell Stories

Reading 3 – Freelance Journalism Essentials: Responsible and Equipment Needs
Writing for Newspapers
Responsible Journalism
The Journalist’s Equipment
Accounts and Stationery

Reading 4 – Writing as a Freelance Journalist
Selling Yourself and Your Work
How to Present Your Articles
A Basic Freelance Contract

 

Module 2 – Developing Writing Styles

Reading 1 – How to Structure Your Story
Beginnings, Middles and Endings
Hooks and Angles
Reporting Quotes
Reporting Media Events
The Uses of Tense

Reading 2 – Research, Statistics and the Internet
Research and Information Sources
The Internet
External Research Resources
Accessing Official Information

Reading 3 – Journalism Interviews
Good Interviewing
Setting Up The Interview
Conducting The Interview
Interview Quotes

Reading 4 – Writing Style
Your Personal Style
Why Style Matters
Writing Technique
House Style

 

Module 3 – Writing for a Diverse Industry

Reading 1 – Writing for Newspapers and Magazines
A Journalist’s Way With Words
Working with Sub-Editors
Using Language Correctly
Writing Headlines
Opinion Pieces

Reading 2 – Media, Law and Ethics
Key Legal Concepts
The Law and Court Reporting
Copyright
Ethics and Courtesy Count, Too

Reading 3 – Feature Writing
The Value of Feature Writing
The Joy of Feature Writing
The Human Interest Story
Researching a Feature Story
Writing The Feature
Reviewing a Feature Story

Reading 4 – Writing Columns and Reviews
A Column of Your Own
Writing for Specialist Publications
Writing Reviews
Writing Arts and Entertainment Reviews
Sports Writing
Travel Writing
Your Contacts Book

 

Module 4 – Broadcast and Photo Journalism

Reading 1 – Applied Journalism and Multimedia
The Role of Applied Journalism
Writing Press Releases and Public Relations Pieces
Writing a ‘People’ Piece
Writing Editorials
Writing Content for the Web
The Virtual Newsroom: Your News Desk
Producing Copy Under Pressure

Reading 2 – Choosing Assignments
Newspaper Versus Magazine Writing
Writing for Magazines
Choosing the Right Magazine
What Magazine Publishers Want
Choosing Your Assignments
Domestic Versus International Markets

Reading 3 – Broadcast Journalism: Television and Radio
The Electronic Media Market
Journalism in Broadcasting
Reporting for Television and Radio
Television and Radio Writing Techniques
Television and Radio Presenting Techniques
Techniques for Writing Scripts and Speeches

Reading 4 – Photojournalism and Specialisms
Photojournalism
Photojournalism – The Background Story
Basics Concepts in Photojournalism
Photographic Lenses and Techniques
Writing for Specialised Markets
The Trail of the ‘Paparazzi’

 

Module 5 – Becoming a Freelance Journalist

Reading 1 – Professional Freelancing
How Professionals Get Work
How Professionals Handle Rejections
Building Relationships with Editors
The Final Edit
Journalism Rates
Earning an Income from Freelance Journalism
Negotiating Rates and Contracts

Reading 2 – On Assignment
Three Elements of Freelance Success
What To Take With You On Assignments
Managing Your Assignments
Other Sources of Income
Building Your Freelance Journalism Business
Your Future as a Freelance Journalist
Using Online Resources

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • Access to a computer with word processing, PDF reader capabilities and an internet connection
  • A good command of written English
  • Ability to allocate appropriate study hours per week

If you have these essential requirements, then you can get started immediately.

COURSE FEES

PAYMENT OPTION 1 – $2,000.00 upfront*
PAYMENT OPTION 2 – $300.00 Deposit then 20 x $100.00 Weekly = $2,300.00*
PAYMENT OPTION 3Completely customise your own payment plan here.