Scripps launches new podcasting certificate

Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication has unveiled a new undergraduate Podcasting Certificate, which will provide students with media and journalism training for one of the fastest growing and most popular areas of audio storytelling in the modern media marketplace. 

“The podcasting market has exploded, representing major investments and interest in content production. After coming back from Spotify’s keynote session on acquisitions of Gimlet and Anchor Media at South by Southwest last year, I realized that the University had to capitalize on this,” said Associate Professor Josh Antonuccio, director of the School of Media Arts & Studies. 

A podcast is an episodic series of spoken word that is digitally uploaded to different platforms. The certificate will allow students to develop their skill set specific to the podcasting industry. These skills will include research and storytelling, audio production, and distribution skills. 

“Our students have demonstrated a real desire to learn more about this medium,” said Associate Professor Elizabeth Hendrickson, who has taught podcasting as a special topics course in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism since 2017. “I’m thrilled we can now offer something robust and interdisciplinary.”

Antonuccio and Hendrickson have worked together to develop the new certificate, which incorporates two courses from the School of Media Arts & Studies (one new and one existing) and two new courses from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The capstone course, MDIA 4706 Podcasting Series Production, assigns students to create their own podcasts, which will be showcased via College channels.

“The certificate provides students with all the necessary tools for entering these emerging industries,” Antonuccio said.

To complete the certificate, students must complete the 12 hours of core coursework and a 3-hour elective, or a total of five classes. In addition, students must retain a cumulative 2.8 GPA or higher. Courses for the certificate began this semester.

“The podcasting certificate is a natural evolution of us adapting our curriculum and opportunities for students to address new and emerging trends in the field,” Scripps College of Communication Dean Scott Titsworth said. “We’re excited to offer our students so many opportunities to develop professional skills while also creating real-world programs that allow them to express their own voice on topics they deem important; it’s just one of the many reasons they go on to have success and become leaders in the communication field.”

For more information, visit this site or contact Josh Antonuccio at antonucn@ohio.edu or Elizabeth Hendrickson at hendrice@ohio.edu.