Journalism Program

In the Journalism Program, which is offered in the summer only, UC Center Sacramento students gain the skills of a seasoned reporter while working 24-40 hours per week as interns for media organizations that report on California government and politics. For information, contact A.G. Block, program director, at (916) 445-7300, or email  agblock@ucdavis.edu

PROGRAM INFORMATION

1. What we offer

• The skills and techniques necessary to write insightful and provocative stores.
• Opportunities to publish your work.
• Experience an intense, two-week reporter’s “boot camp.”
• Media credentials from the governor’s office and the Legislature.
• Academic credit that can be used toward graduation

2. COURSEWORK & INTERNSHIP (6 semester units/9 Quarter units total)

(A) Journalism 298: Journalism & Public Affairs (4 semester units): Although the program is designed for undergraduate students, participants will enroll as graduate students in UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism for the summer. This is a two-part course that consists of the following:

• A intensive two-week summer "boot camp" where students learn what it takes to be a journalist.
• A seminar series that runs throughout the program where students can network with news organizations that cover local and statewide politics. Topics include source development, ethics, computer-assisted research, interview techniques/rules of engagement and more.

(B) Journalism 197: Internship (1-2 semester units): Embedded in a the same syllabus (the two courses parallel one another), this course is designed to give students credit for the 24-40 hours they work in their internships on a weekly basis.

3. Program dates & Application Deadlines

(A) Program Dates:

*Move-out date is flexible. Date dependent on hours in internship and specific student needs.

(B) Application Deadline:

Summer 2013: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through April 1st.

4. HOUSING

The general options are:

(A) Live with other students from the program. Contact Sandra Wilson at svrodriguez@ucdavis.edu to set this up if this is your preferred method.

(B) Self-provided housing.

For detailed housing info, go here.

5. EXPLORE PAST INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

(A) Check out the student-run Journalism Facebook Page to read articles written by past journalism students.

(B) See the past internship placements listed on the bottom of this page.

6. PROGRAM COSTS, FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

(A) Costs: The total cost may vary depending on housing arrangements.

The estimated program costs listed below are based on California residency. Non-Californians will need to add nonresident supplemental tuition.

• Fees (UC Berkeley Summer Session): $3060
• UC Berkeley Campus Fee: $143
• UC Students not registered at UCB for spring 2013: $39
• Room & Board: $1900
• Transportation: $488
• Books & Supplies: $320
• Personal Expenses: $502
• TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $6452

(B) Scholarships: The Sacramento Press Club offers annual scholarships to deserving undergraduates. These awards may be used to help offset costs associated with the UCCS Public-Affairs Journalism Program, such as fees and housing. For information on available scholarships, go here. For information on scholarship applications and eligibility requirements, go here.

7. APPLY

(A) Check requirements

• Junior or senior standing preferred
• 3.0 GPA or above preferred

(B) Go to our application section for details.

Additional Info: Recent Guest Speakers & Past Internship Placements.

1. Recent Guest Speakers:

• Lowell Bergman, Pulitzer Prize and Emmy award-winning producer/reporter, PBS’ “Frontline” program
• Seth Mydans, South Asia correspondent, The New York Times
• Lou Cannon, noted biographer of Ronald Reagan
• Julian Do, co-director, New America Media
• Neil Henry, Dean, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
• Dan Weintraub, Founding Editor, California Health Report
• Dan Morain, columnist and reporter, The Sacramento Bee
• Donna Lucas, former Chief of Staff, First Lady Maria Shriver
• Mark Paul and Joe Matthews, co-authors, “California Crack-Up”
• Anthony York, founding editor, Capitol Weekly; reporter, Los Angeles Times
• William Hauck, president, California Business Roundtable
• Dan Schnur, former chairman, Fair Political Practices Commission
• Bill Boyarsky, former city editor, Los Angeles Times
• Gregory Favre, former executive editor, The Sacramento Bee
• Butch Ward, former managing editor, The Philadelphia Inquirer

2. Internship Placements: Placements are tailored to students’ interests, skills and background. More (PDF)

• Orange County Register
• San Francisco Chronicle
• Ventura County Star
• Riverside Press-Enterprise
• California Health Report
• Sacramento Press
• Voiceofsandiego.org
• La Opinion
• The Sacramento Observer
• Capital Public Radio
• KQED Radio
• KCRA-TV
• New America Media
• Capitol Weekly
• California Progress Report
• California Watch
• Cal Buzz Political Blog
• Eastern Group Publications of Los Angeles