Mag.a (FH) Regula Blocher
New Media & Online Journalism
With the addition of a third semester, the course can be extended to a full Master’s program if the entry requirements are met), leading to the degree of Master of Arts (Continuing Education).
Program
Continuing education and training for experienced media professionals
FHWien der WKW has been successfully training journalists for quality media for 20 years. The continuing education program is specifically designed for experienced professionals who want to specialize in data journalism within an academically recognized and comprehensive framework.
The course content is designed to build on individual professional experience and enhance it with academic knowledge and practical tools and techniques.
Good work-life balance
The program is organized on a part-time basis: Attendance is in blocks of days, and about a quarter of the courses are distance learning. This makes it easy to combine the courses with work and private life.
Highlights
- Only academic training program in the German-speaking world that teaches programming for journalistic applications.
- Specializations in investigative research with modern digital methods, e.g. open source intelligence and AI tools
- Develop social, communicative and entrepreneurial skills, such as format development, project management in diverse teams and communication with users.
- Multi-media and cross-media project work with experienced teachers from the industry on current journalistic topics.
Organization
Organization
Part-time degree program
The classroom courses are held in blocks of days. One evening per week is also reserved for distance learning.
Language of instruction
German (Selected courses are taught in English).
Start of degree program
September 2024
Place of Study
FHWien der WKW, Währinger Gürtel 97, 1180 Vienna
Application
Fees
€ 9,400 for the whole Academic Expert program (2 semesters)
Discounts
10 % discount for alumni of FHWien der WKW
Grants & Financing
Here you find an overview of the funding opportunities.
Application
Focus & Qualifications
Designed for experienced journalists and editors, the course combines journalistic storytelling, data analysis and applied informatics with modern media and project management. Graduates will be able to
- demonstrate knowledge of the functionalities, formats and production conditions of digital journalism;
- develop digital formats and storytelling for data journalism topics;
- lead data journalism projects in small or large teams;
- work in newsrooms at the intersection of journalism, graphics and IT departments;
- use digital technologies for journalism in an economically, legally, ethically and critically informed way.
Curriculum
The first two semesters each consist of five subject blocks (modules).
Semester 1
In the first semester, specific requirements of digital media are taught in the areas of research, storytelling, information technologies, law & ethics and management & communication.
Semester 2
In the second semester students learn a variety of methods for data research, data analysis and data visualization. This includes programming languages such as Python and automation models for journalistic applications. Finally, project work focuses on the transfer of course content into practice.
Quotes
If journalism wants to be relevant, it can't be done without data – for analysis, context and quality. This is core competency for journalists. This course provides the skills needed to understand even complex data, to verify it, to see the stories in it, and to prepare it in an understandable way. So that we can understand the world more deeply.
Good data journalism combines scientific rigor with journalistic ambition and instinct. If you have the latter, you'll learn the advanced methods in this continuing education program. The exciting story always remains at the center.
An academically sound continuing education program for professionally experienced journalists in the field of data journalism has been lacking in Austria until now. With the compact three semesters, organized on a part-time basis, you quickly gain the expertise and digital skills it will take to be a journalist in the future.
Jobs & Career
Career opportunities in a fast-changing media landscape
The course is designed for graduates who want to specialize in digital skills and develop their technical and management skills. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be able to take on new roles within their newsrooms or apply for other positions in media companies.
With further training, graduates can improve their job prospects, as specialist skills such as data journalists, development editors and digital verification officers are in demand.
Application
Target group
Salaried or permanent freelance editors or freelance journalists with first or longer professional experience.
Applicants working in related communications professions who are familiar with editorial work.
All applicants will have a strong interest in storytelling for various digital media, as well as information technology and communication design in the context of journalism.
Admission requirements
Academic Expert for Data Journalism:
- completion of secondary school or apprenticeship training,
- at least two years of relevant professional experience (incl. internships and traineeships)
- as well as very good knowledge of German (native speaker or C1 level).
Program information
If you have questions regarding the program please contact our Head of Program, Mag. (FH) Regula Blocher via telephone 0800 40 00 77-09 or email (weiterbildung@fh-wien.ac.at).
Application process
- Come talk to us! Call us or write us an e-mail: Regula Blocher (tel.: 0800 40 00 77-09, e-mail: weiterbildung@fh-wien.ac.at)! Together we will discuss whether the intended study program is the right one for you and whether you meet all admission requirements.
- Send all documents (letter of motivation, résumé, certificates) to weiterbildung@fh-wien.ac.at.
- University places awarded: 2 weeks after receipt of your documents at the latest. Due to the limited number of places available, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible.
Grants & Financing
General
- Tax reimbursement: You can write off the tuition fees against your taxes, as long as the continuing education program is relevant or related to your current occupational field. The tax advantage depends on your total income. You could be reimbursed for up to 43.6 % of the tuition fees!
More information can be found here:
Bundesministerium für Finanzen (Federal Ministry of Finance)
Johannesgasse 5, 1010 Vienna
Tel.: 01/514 33-0
www.bmf.gv.at
E-mail contact form - Tax deductibility for companies:
Entrepreneurs can deduct continuing education costs as business expenses.
More information can be found here:
Bundesministerium für Finanzen (Federal Ministry of Finance)
Johannesgasse 5, 1010 Vienna
Tel.: 01/514 33-0
www.bmf.gv.at
E-mail contact form
Grants in Austria
- Database Continuing Education Grants (German)
- Database Scholarships (English)
- Arbeiterkammer (Chamber of Labor) (German)
- Wirtschaftskammer (Chamber of Commerce) (German)
- AMS (Austrian Public Employment Service) (German)
- A reduction in costs is possible if the costs are covered by the employer. (for more information, please visit www.bmf.gv.at)
- Funding opportunity for media companies: Funding from the Fund for the Promotion of Digital Transformation supports the further training of journalistic staff in the field of digital journalism. You can find more information here.
Grants at the federal state level
- Burgenland (German)
- Carinthia (German)
- Lower Austria – Educational grants (German)
- Lower Austria – Scholarships (German)
- Salzburg (German)
- Styria (German)
- Tyrol (German)
- Upper Austria (German)
- Vorarlberg (German)
- waff – Vienna Employment Promotion Fund (English)
- Wirtschaftsagentur Wien (Vienna Business Agency) (English)