Media & Communication

Certificate in Journalism

The Certificate in Journalism provides foundational skills in news writing, reporting, editing, media ethics, and digital media production. Students learn the fundamentals of journalism including news gathering, interviewing, writing for print and digital media, photojournalism, radio production, and media law. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in media houses, online publications, or as a pathway to further studies in journalism and mass communication.

Students develop competencies in news writing, reporting, editing, photojournalism, radio production, video editing, media ethics, and digital journalism. The curriculum covers introduction to journalism, media and society, media ethics and regulations, photography, video editing, camera operation, radio production, communication skills, and entrepreneurship. Practical skills are emphasised through media laboratory and studio sessions.

Kenya's media industry is one of the most vibrant in East Africa, with numerous television stations, radio stations, newspapers, and growing online media platforms. The digital transformation of media has created new opportunities in online journalism, content creation, and multimedia storytelling. Media houses, corporate communication departments, NGOs, and digital content platforms require personnel with foundational journalism skills.

The programme combines classroom lectures with practical training in media laboratories, radio studios, and video editing suites. Students practise news writing, interviewing, photography, radio production, and video editing. Teaching methods include practical demonstrations, field assignments, newsroom simulations, and project-based work. Students produce news content as part of their coursework.

Graduates find employment as junior reporters, news assistants, radio production assistants, content creators, or communication assistants in media houses, online publications, corporate communication departments, and NGOs. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in journalism, mass communication, or media studies. Some graduates establish blogs or online content platforms.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in media, writing, and storytelling, as well as individuals already working in media-related fields who seek formal journalism qualification. The programme provides practical skills that are directly applicable in the media industry.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 97,000
Private, up to: Ksh 49,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Journalism
News Writing and Reporting
Media Ethics and Regulations
Photojournalism
Radio Production
Video Editing and Camera Operation
Media and Society
Digital Journalism
Communication Skills
Entrepreneurship in Media

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Journalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of journalism covering news values, news elements, types of journalism, the role of journalism in society, and the media industry in Kenya.
News Writing and Reporting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
News writing and reporting skills covering news gathering, interviewing techniques, news writing structure, feature writing, and investigative reporting basics.
Media Ethics and Regulations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Media ethics and regulations covering journalistic ethics, media law in Kenya, defamation, privacy, copyright, and the Media Council Act.
Photojournalism and Camera Operation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Photojournalism covering camera operation, composition, news photography, photo editing, and visual storytelling for print and digital media.
Radio Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Radio production covering studio operations, audio recording, editing, programme production, news bulletins, and radio presentation skills.
Video Editing and Digital Media
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Video editing and digital media covering video editing software, digital content production, online publishing, social media for journalists, and multimedia storytelling.
Media and Society
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Media and society covering media effects, audience studies, media and democracy, media and development, and the social responsibility of the press.
Communication, Entrepreneurship and Project
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Communication skills, entrepreneurship in media covering freelance journalism and media business basics, and a journalism project producing a news portfolio.

Specialisations

Print and Online Journalism
Focus on news writing, reporting, and digital content production for print and online media platforms.
Broadcast Journalism
Focus on radio and television production, including studio operations, audio/video editing, and on-air presentation.
Photojournalism
Focus on visual storytelling through photography, covering news photography, photo editing, and visual communication.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on journalism theory or media ethics with afternoon practical sessions in media laboratories and studios. Students practise news writing, conduct interviews, edit photos and video, and produce radio content. Field assignments involve covering events and writing news stories, while newsroom simulations provide real-world media experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya has a vibrant media industry with opportunities across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Digital media transformation creates new opportunities in online journalism and content creation.
Provides a direct pathway to diploma and degree programmes in journalism and mass communication.

Against it

Media industry employment can be competitive with limited entry-level positions in established media houses.
Journalism can involve irregular hours, fieldwork in challenging conditions, and pressure of deadlines.
Senior journalism roles require diploma or degree-level qualifications plus experience.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public67k to 97k

67k at Kabete National Polytechnic97k at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication

Private50k to 50k

50k at Zetech University50k at Zetech University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: TVET 67K, KIMC 97K/yr (eafinder.com). Private: Zetech 49.5K/yr (kenyaeducationguide)

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: KCSE C- (Minus) with C- in either English or Kiswahili (per MMU Certificate in Mass Communication entry requirements).

English or Kiswahili
C-

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of journalism theory, media ethics, and media law.
Practical Media Assessment
Practical assessment40% of the mark
Practical assessment of news writing, photography, radio production, and video editing in media laboratories and studios.
End of Semester Examinations and Portfolio
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a journalism portfolio demonstrating news writing, reporting, and media production competencies.

Accreditation

Multimedia University of Kenya is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Faculty of Media and Communication (FAMECO).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
MMU is chartered by CUE. The programme is offered under FAMECO.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Junior Reporter
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 50,000
Reports on events and writes news stories for newspapers, online publications, or broadcast media, covering assigned beats and developing news content.
News Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 40,000
Supports newsroom operations in media houses, assisting with research, fact-checking, story development, and editorial coordination.
Radio Production Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 16,000 to Ksh 45,000
Assists in radio programme production, operating studio equipment, recording audio, editing content, and supporting on-air presentations.
Content Creator
High demandKsh 17,000 to Ksh 55,000
Creates digital content for online platforms, social media, and corporate communication, applying journalism skills to produce engaging multimedia content.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as junior reporters, news assistants, and content creators in media houses and online platforms, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Adobe Photoshop
Software

Certifications

Media Council of Kenya (MCK) — Media Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Journalism is dying because of digital media.
Journalism is evolving with digital media, creating new opportunities in online journalism, content creation, data journalism, and multimedia storytelling.
You need to be on TV to be a journalist.
Most journalists work in print, radio, online media, or behind the scenes in research, editing, and production roles.
Journalism is only for people who are good at writing.
Modern journalism requires diverse skills including photography, video production, data analysis, social media, and multimedia storytelling.
A certificate in journalism cannot lead to employment.
Media houses, online platforms, corporate communication departments, and NGOs employ certificate holders as junior reporters, news assistants, and content creators.