Data Journalism and Investigative Reporting Certificate

Overview

The Data Journalism and Investigative Reporting Certificate Program is designed for college students interested in developing strong, in-demand data journalism and investigative reporting skills required across a wide range of roles and industries. It provides a comprehensive understanding of data journalism and investigative reporting, covering core concepts, tools, and techniques used to analyze information, uncover insights, and support fact-based reporting in professional media environments.

Whether you are applying for internships, your first job out of college, or competitive early-career positions, this program helps prepare you for roles where data-driven reporting and investigative research skills are a required part of the job.

Key Features

Audience

Designed for students interested in data journalism and investigative reporting and roles that involve reporting, research, and media analysis. The program is well suited for students across journalism, communications, public policy, and arts and sciences, as well as anyone seeking to strengthen their résumé for research- and reporting-focused roles across industries.

Duration

Four months of access per semester to course materials and resources. At the end of four months, you can renew your access if needed.

Time to Complete

Expected to be completed within 10 to 15 hours, allowing for flexible, self-paced learning.

Certificate

Certificate in Data Journalism and Investigative Reporting.

Optional Custom Emphasis

Leveraging advanced AI technology, the program offers a personalized learning experience that allows students to tailor their certificate toward a specific industry or career direction.

Rather than focusing solely on abstract reporting concepts, students may select an emphasis aligned with the types of roles or fields they are interested in pursuing, such as public interest journalism, policy reporting, financial reporting, environmental journalism, or media investigations.

For example, a student interested in public interest or investigative media roles may choose an emphasis in public interest journalism. This emphasis would be reflected in the title of the certificate earned; for example:

Certificate in Data Journalism and Investigative Reporting, Emphasis: Public Interest Journalism

This approach helps students clearly communicate relevance to employers while maintaining broad applicability across industries.

Why This Certificate Matters

Data journalism and investigative reporting skills appear in job descriptions across media, research, and public interest sectors. This certificate provides a clear and credible way to demonstrate analytical and reporting ability, readiness for reporting- and research-focused roles, and the skills employers expect.