Starting in the fall, City College will offer three new certificates in journalism, pending a March 24 approval.

The three certificates of performance are in news editing and production, news writing, and online journalism. Each certificate requires nine units.

The certification is beneficial to students as well as City College itself, according to Laura Castaneda, associate professor in the Radio and Television Department.

“Having students apply for the certificates allows us, as a department, to better keep track of our students,” Castaneda said in an e-mail interview. “It also helps us when we are applying for financial grants or other assistance to prove that students are indeed interested in journalism.”

The certification process for a certificate of performance is a year long and must be approved by several committees and individuals, including the District Curriculum Council and the San Diego Community College Board of Trustees.