Media & Communication

Diploma in Digital Journalism

The Diploma in Digital Journalism is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in digital news gathering, online content production, multimedia storytelling and social media journalism. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through its PAC Institute, the programme prepares students for careers in Kenya's rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

The curriculum covers introduction to journalism, news reporting and writing, digital media and online journalism, multimedia journalism, photojournalism, video production for digital platforms, audio podcasting, social media journalism, investigative journalism, media law and ethics, editing and sub-editing, content management systems, data journalism, mobile journalism and entrepreneurship. Students develop both journalistic and digital production skills.

Kenya's media industry is undergoing digital transformation, with growing demand for journalists who can produce content for online platforms, social media and mobile audiences. The programme responds to the need for trained digital journalists who can report, produce and distribute news across digital channels.

The programme is delivered through lectures, practical workshops, studio sessions, field assignments, case studies, projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in news writing, video production, podcasting and social media content creation through practical sessions and attachment at media houses, online publications or content production companies.

Graduates pursue careers as digital journalists, online reporters, social media editors, content producers, multimedia journalists, podcast producers and digital content creators in media houses, online publications, corporate communication departments and digital content agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have strong communication skills, interest in current affairs and aptitude for digital technology. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in digital media and online journalism.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 102,000
Private, up to: Ksh 167,601
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

News Reporting and Writing for Digital Platforms
Multimedia Journalism and Video Production
Social Media Journalism and Content Strategy
Photojournalism and Mobile Journalism
Audio Production and Podcasting
Investigative Journalism and Data Journalism
Media Law, Ethics and Digital Rights
Content Management Systems and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Journalism and News Reporting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers journalism principles, news values, news writing, interviewing techniques, beat reporting and digital news gathering.
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers online journalism, content management systems, SEO for news, web writing, digital publishing platforms and audience engagement.
Multimedia Journalism and Video Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers video production for digital platforms, shooting, editing, motion graphics, visual storytelling and mobile journalism.
Social Media Journalism and Photojournalism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers social media journalism, content strategy, community management, photojournalism, image editing and visual ethics.
Audio Production and Podcasting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers audio production, podcasting, voice techniques, audio editing, sound design and distribution platforms.
Investigative Journalism and Data Journalism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers investigative journalism techniques, data journalism, data visualisation, fact-checking, verification and digital security for journalists.
Media Law, Ethics and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers media law, defamation, digital rights, media ethics, editing and sub-editing, entrepreneurship and freelance journalism.
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a media house, online publication or content production company, plus a digital journalism portfolio project.

Specialisations

Online News Reporting
Focuses on digital news gathering, online writing and web publishing for careers as online reporters.
Multimedia Production
Specialises in video, audio and visual content production for careers as content producers.
Social Media Journalism
Focuses on social media content strategy and audience engagement for careers as social media editors.
Investigative and Data Journalism
Specialises in investigative reporting and data-driven storytelling for careers as investigative journalists.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on news reporting or media law, followed by a practical workshop on video production or podcasting. Afternoon sessions may include a field assignment to cover a story, a social media content creation exercise, or a group project on multimedia storytelling. Students also work on digital journalism projects and build online portfolios.

The trade offs

In its favour

Digital media is a growing field with increasing demand for online content producers and digital journalists.
The programme combines traditional journalism skills with modern digital production techniques.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or related degree programmes.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Digital journalism salaries can be modest at entry level, with higher earnings requiring experience and specialisation.

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 102k

67k at Eldoret Polytechnic102k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University

Private36k to 168k

36k at Eldoret College of Professional Studies (ECPS)168k at KCA 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

Eldoret Poly 67.2K, JOOUST 102K public; KCA 167.6K, ECPS 36K private (ednewshub).

Students can access HELB loans. PAC University offers scholarships to continuing students after two trimesters and work-study opportunities.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Pass at Level 5 of a related certificate course or equivalent qualification acceptable by KNQA.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Module-based assessments covering news writing, digital media and multimedia production.
Practical Projects
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of practical work including news articles, videos, podcasts and social media content.
Digital Journalism Portfolio
Project50% of the mark
A portfolio of digital journalism work assessed for quality, range and professional standards.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a media house, online publication or content production company.

Accreditation

The programme is offered under the TVET Act and examined by TVET-CDACC. Pan Africa Christian University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
AcademicRequired
The programme is offered under the TVET Act and examined by TVET-CDACC. Pan Africa Christian University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Digital Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Reports, writes and produces news content for digital platforms including websites, social media and mobile applications.
Online Reporter
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Covers news stories for online publications, produces multimedia content and engages audiences across digital channels.
Social Media Editor
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages social media content for media organisations, creates engaging posts, monitors trends and analyses audience metrics.
Content Producer
Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 140,000
Produces multimedia content including videos, podcasts and graphics for media houses, brands and digital content agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as digital journalists, online reporters, social media editors and content producers in media houses, online publications and digital content agencies.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Digital journalism is just about blogging.
The programme covers professional journalism skills including reporting, investigation, media law, ethics, multimedia production and content strategy for digital platforms.
Traditional journalism is dead, so this field has no future.
Journalism is evolving, not dying. Digital journalism is a growing field with increasing demand for professionals who can produce quality content for online and mobile platforms.
Anyone with a smartphone can be a digital journalist.
While technology enables content creation, professional digital journalism requires skills in reporting, verification, ethics, storytelling and multimedia production.
Digital journalism is the same as broadcast journalism.
Digital journalism focuses on online platforms, social media and mobile-first content, while broadcast journalism focuses on television and radio production.