The CORE requirements for Certification (120 hours) will be the following and a checklist spreadsheet will be maintained by the Certification Manager to track progress:
1. A core Fundamentals of Journalism course will be the foundation course required for all tracks and all candidates. This course will include the principles of journalistic practice, including the inverted pyramid, writing public service announcements for radio, the differences between broadcast, web, print, advertising, and feature writing. The course will also include writing white papers, reports, press releases, and principles of clarity and cohesion. It will be a 20-hour CEU (continuing education unit) course. An exam over the content of this course will provide the basis for all certificate tracks and continuation in the Certification Program.
2. An exam will be administered over the AP Stylebook (in the United States; other style books may be required in other parts of the world), the Seventh-day Adventist Communication Department Statement of Ethics, and the Seventh-day Adventist Corporate Identity package.
3. A list of readings will be required from current magazines, books, journals, and other appropriate sources provided and selected by the Certification Manager. These readings are designed to acquaint the candidate with professional resources, books, materials, spiritual issues, and trends within the field of communication. They may cover corporate identity, communication law and regulations, communication theories, plagiarism and strategic planning, for example. The readings are also designed to provide a foundation for relationship and reputation management and bridge building. Readings may be assigned to supplement the Candidate’s areas of weakness. The readings constitute approximately 30 hours, although this may vary according to the candidate. The reading list will be created by the Certification Manager in consultation with the candidate. The candidate will write an annotated bibliography in the final submission to the Certification Manager.
4. The candidate will complete a 40-hour externship. An "externship" is defined as an internship in a venue outside his or her own organization in a job shadow-mentor situation. The selection of the host/mentor will be made in consultation with the Certification Manager to strengthen the Candidate’s areas of need. The Candidate will submit a report in the form of a daily log explaining communication experiences and an accompanying reflection paper on the new ideas, expertise, and experiences that will enhance the performance of the candidate’s job. This will be submitted along with a memo or letter provided by the host to document the internship to the Certification Manager.
5. The remaining CEUs may be earned by attending professional conferences, taking classes at local colleges or provided by professional associations. These 30 CEU “electives” or “requirements” will be chosen to enhance the Candidate’s needs and some tracks may require specific seminars as part of this 30-hour requirement (see individual track requirements). The Candidate must submit proof of attendance to the satisfaction of the Certification Manager. These requirements may also vary by Division or Union. Each Division’s requirements must be approved by the Certification and Accreditation Board and may include specific course requirements, specific exams, a portfolio, reports, or other additional materials. Many professional organizations provide seminars and workshops around the world. These may provide opportunity for gaining high-end skills. These professional societies and organizations may be national or international. Examples include but are not limited to (in the U.S.) the:
- Society of Adventist Communicators
- National Association of Broadcasters
- Public Relations Society of America
- International Association of Business Communicators
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Radio and Television News Directors Association
- Women in Communication
- Poynter Institute
6. The Certification Program must be completed within three years after completing the Fundamentals of Journalism requirement.
7. Those pursuing more than one track will have additional time to complete certification. The Certification Manager will negotiate this additional time with the candidate. The core journalism component will count towards all tracks. Additional CEUs will be required in place of the journalism core course.
8. If the candidate does not have a communication degree (undergraduate major or minor or master’s degree), the following requirements increase:
- 5 additional hours of core Journalism Course Preparation
- 15 more hours of readings
- 5 hours of elective CEUs.
9. A graduate or undergraduate course may count for 1-5 CEUs. The number of CEUs will be determined by the Certification Manager. The candidate will submit the course outline to the Certification Manager for clarification of the number of CEUs. Course must be preapproved for CEU credit by the Certification Manager.
10. Any exception to these rules may be appealed to the Certification Manager.
11. Approval from the Certification Manager will be required for all issues outside the purview of this document.
CCP Description | CCP Requirements | CCP Application | Approved CCP Electives | CEU (Electives) Form
Journalism Track | Media Relations Track | Public Relations and Corporate Communication Track | Web Communication/Social Networking Track | Media Production Track