From now through September 8, journalism entrepreneurs can apply to earn an online certificate alongside talented journalists around the globe
Journalists can now apply to join the Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program (EJCP) to earn a 100-day online certificate from the CUNY’s Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. The application period is open for journalists from around the world to join the seventh cohort. The application deadline is Sept. 8. The program begins on Oct. 17 and ends Jan. 25.
Journalists – both independent and employed – can apply to develop their own newsletters, podcasts, video channels, local sites or other niche news products. The program empowers them with entrepreneurial skills to build a product that serves a community.
Participants learn to refine their product idea, serve and grow an audience, and develop a revenue portfolio to ensure a project’s sustainability.
“It’s remarkable what you can do in 100 days,” said program director Jeremy Caplan. “We’ve had participants create something from scratch and change the direction of their careers. The great thing about being part of a cohort is that you can draw inspiration from people doing something similar, and over the course of a few fruitful months you can take an idea that’s been brewing in the background and turn it into a vital venture.”
Since the program launched in 2020, 148 creators have been selected from about 650 applicants for the first six cohorts. Creators have joined from 37 countries — from Austria, Brazil and China to Poland, Romania, Mongolia to Zimbabwe. Many participants are continuing to build and grow projects.
“CUNY’s Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program was invaluable,” said Kristin Leong, an alum who launched the newsletter ROCK PAPER RADIO and recently founded The Family Court Report. “My cohort colleagues were some of the most innovative, driven, and supportive journalists I’ve ever worked with. The insights and strategies I gained from the curriculum and guest speakers expanded my thinking as a producer and challenged me to think creatively about entrepreneurship. I enthusiastically recommend this program to anyone who’s curious about the business of storytelling and the power of building a platform to amplify underrepresented perspectives.”
The curriculum allows for live and asynchronous learning in any timezone. It incorporates a variety of online learning methods including workshops, mentorship, readings, videos, coaching sessions, case studies, projects and engaging live discussions. The instructional team features innovators and leaders in the industry with expertise in journalism, product development, community engagement, marketing, and revenue expansion.
“I felt like I earned a mini-journalism MBA in the 100 days,” said Krystal Knapp, an alum who founded Planet Princeton and the Jersey Vindicator, a new statewide nonprofit investigative news organization in New Jersey. “The Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program played a pivotal role in my career as a journalism entrepreneur. It helped me develop a strong framework for decision making and product development that is community centered and pushed me to consider creative revenue sources…. The EJCP program was the best time and money spent on my career.”
The program is open to anyone who already has a niche journalism project or idea, or anyone who has identified a community to serve or a problem to solve. Instruction will be in English; fluency is required. Tuition is $4,000 and limited scholarships are available.
The program is now accepting applications through Friday, September 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To be considered for the program, applicants must submit a short online application. For updates, please register for our mailing list.
Join the program director and alums for a live online open house to learn more about the program on Thursday, August 10 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. You’ll meet the organizing team and learn more about our special plans for the upcoming cohort of the Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program. RSVP to join our virtual open house.