Certificate Information
& Admissions

The CJIIC is a 4.5 credit program that lasts 9 months.

The program is open to students who have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. Those credits must include a 4U course in English (or anglais) with a grade of 60 percent or higher.

Consideration will be extended to other applicants under Mature Applicant regulations (see the Mature Applicants section of the Undergraduate Calendar).

Admission to this program is restricted to Indigenous applicants. During the application process students will be required to verify their Indigenous Identity through the policy. Applicants will be provided with instructions about how to submit required documentation.

Hybrid Course Delivery

From September to May, you’ll take a mixture of online and in-person courses in the CJIIC.

Our online synchronous courses allow you to study journalism from your home community. We provide the technical gear, software, and textbooks you need to complete the program.

You’ll get lots of hands-on media training ­during our three in-person intensives, which will last approximately 7-8 days. The first intensive in September is held at Kenjgewin Teg in Manitoulin Island. The location of our second intensive during the winter term is still being determined. The last intensive in May is held at Carleton University in Ottawa.

Your food and accommodation costs during the intensives are covered. We also pay for your travel to attend the intensive courses.

Braided Learning

We make sure you have all the support you need as an Indigenous student to succeed in our program.

Our Student Success Facilitator is responsible for enhancing your academic success and your student experience. Whether you need help with a funding application, want an introduction on how to use Brightspace, or are interested in learning the basics of Word and Powerpoint to complete an assignment, we’ve got the support you need. They advise you with respect to academic progression and assist with you by acting as a liaison with faculty and support services in order to propose and implement solutions.

We also have a dedicated Cultural Advisor committed to preserving a way of life based on Indigenous values including spirituality, sacredness, reciprocity, social responsibility, and education. Our advisor helps us to integrate Indigenous cultural factors to protect your health and well-being.

A guiding philosophy of the CJIIC is that all courses will be designed with Indigenous pedagogical principles and delivered by experienced Indigenous journalists.

Land Acknowledgement – Free Tuition

In recognition that Carleton University is located on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation, we offer free tuition to one student annually from the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.

To encourage local First Nation participation, we also offer free tuition to one student annually from the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne.

Learn more about the Scholarship Opportunity.

Internships

During a two-week internship in a news or media organization, you’ll have an opportunity to apply what you learned in the classroom to the actual day-to-day work of reporting, writing, and producing news for an audience. Evaluations and student reflections round out the internship experience.

Our internship coordinator will assist you in finding a suitable placement. Your food and accommodation costs during the internship are covered. We also pay for your travel to attend your internship.

Graduation Incentives

The CJIIC follows the same tuition fee structure as the Bachelor of Journalism program at Carleton (More information about fees).

When you successfully complete the CJIIC, you’ll receive a $3,000 award to help you in the next steps of your journalism journey.

Plus, if you’re interested in more journalism training or an arts education, the CJIIC is a pathway to an undergraduate degree at Carleton University or other post-secondary institutions.

Transferring from CJIIC to the Bachelor of Journalism

Graduates from the Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities are eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Journalism program at Carleton University with Advanced Standing. Normally, offers are made to students with an overall CGPA of 8.00 (B) or higher.

For additional Journalism program requirements and course descriptions check the Undergraduate Calendar.

Transferring from CJIIC to the Bachelor of Arts

Graduates from the Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities are eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University with Advanced Standing or Carleton’s online Bachelor of Arts General Studies degree. Applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue in their year level, in addition to meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University.

For additional BA program requirements and course descriptions check the Undergraduate Calendar.