Hit the Books: Post-Grad Publishing Degrees and Certificate Programs in NYC

Ed will be the first to admit to you that he’s not a huge proponent of journalism graduate degrees. (He has eons of magazine friends who have had successful careers without the master’s.) But he still comes across many who are interested in post-grad education, whether it’s because their undergraduate program didn’t deliver enough magazine publishing exposure, or they’re looking to further and broaden their knowledge on the ins and outs of the industry.

Rather than return to school for journalism, (especially if your undergraduate degree is in journalism or communications), Ed recommends looking into an M.S. in publishing. For a post-grad publishing degree, the curriculum covers everything from editorial to business strategy. (So essentially, both sides of the masthead.)

Another option is to complete a certificate program. These usually consist of four or five courses, allowing you to expand your knowledge in magazine publishing areas like copyediting, digital media, and magazine editing. They can be completed in a shorter amount of time, plus cost less than a degree, which may be a better option for those who work full-time or don’t have the financial means to return to school.

Here are three NYC-based universities that offer certificate programs, along with two schools that boast the most comprehensive M.S. Publishing programs.

Certificate Programs

Pace University Certificate Programs in Magazine Publishing, Digital Publishing, Business Aspects of Publishing, and Book Publishing

Location: Midtown NYC (45th and 5th Ave)

Program overview: A four-course program that can be completed on campus or online. The 12 credits earned can be applied towards Pace’s M.S. in Publishing degree.

Internship required: No

Cost: $926 per credit

Website: web.pace.edu

 

NYU Certificate in Publishing: Magazine Concentration

Location: Downtown NYC at NYU’s main campus

Overview: Students choose five courses out of the 21 offered, great for those who want to target their experience in a specific area, whether it be blogging or copyediting.

Internship required: No

Cost: $395-$595 per course

Website: scps.nyu.edu

 

Columbia University Publishing Course

Location: Columbia’s main campus, Morningside Heights

Overview: A six-week summer course that’s split into three sections where students cover how publishing works in books, magazines, and digital media. Columbia recommends this program for recent college graduates, although others will be considered. About 100 students are accepted each year, and the school’s ties with the publishing world are invaluable. Esteemed industry professionals from both magazines and top publishing houses are panel speakers, course instructors, etc.

Internship required: No

Cost: $4,400 for just the course. Housing fees, both on and off campus, vary.

Website: journalism.columbia.edu

 

 

M.S. Publishing Degrees

NYU SCPS (School of Continuing and Professional Studies), M.S. in Publishing

Location: Downtown NYC at NYU’s main campus

Program overview: “The Master of Science in Publishing addresses the integration of traditional and new media in a rapidly-changing industry. Unlike traditional journalism programs that stress editorial functions, the M.S. in Publishing, while developing this core competency, also places a strong emphasis on the business and marketing skills necessary for industry advancement.

“The program’s philosophy is “Real-World, Real-Workplace,” devoting major importance to assignments that simulate situations encountered on a daily basis within publishing companies,” says the program’s website. Students negotiate mock publishing contracts, create actual business and marketing plans, redesign magazines, and develop key skills that prepare them for the demanding publishing workplace. Our courses are taught by a faculty of leading professionals actively engaged in many of America’s top publishing companies. A distinguished advisory board of industry innovators from book, magazine, and digital publishing guides the curriculum and lends its expert knowledge to program development and expansion.” —Excerpted from the program’s website

Program duration: Two years with full-time status; 3-4 years with part-time status.

Evening classes: Yes

Online: No

Internships: Highly encouraged but not required, plus mandatory Capstone Project.

Cost: 3 credits (one course): $4, 888; 6 credits (two courses): $9, 427; 9 credits (three courses): $13,966; 10-12 credits (four courses): $15,499.

Website: scps.nyu.edu

 

Pace University, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, M.S. in Publishing

Location: Midtown NYC (45th and 5th Ave)

Program overview: “Provides leading-edge professional study for students seeking careers in book and magazine publishing, including education in the editorial, production, marketing, acquisitions and subsidiary licensing, and financial aspects of the business, as well as in new technologies.” —Excerpted from the program’s website

Program duration: Two years with full-time status.

Evening classes: Yes

Online: Yes. Online program can be completed within three years.

Internships: Required, with 20 hours of field work.

Cost: $926 per credit
http://www.pace.edu/pace/prospectivestudents/graduate/tuition-fees/

Website: pace.edu