Hit the Books (And eBooks Too!)

Autumn ushers in a number of changes, not least of which is the new school year. Educational opportunities abound for those with an interest in publishing. Whether the applicant is a recent graduate eager to learn about publishing or a veteran editor seeking new ways of creating digital and interactive content, these are just a few of the top programs publishing enthusiasts should investigate.
New York University Center for Publishing
Contact: NYU-SCPS Graduate Programs
Phone: 212-998-7100
E-mail: scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu

The Center for Publishing offers an M.S. in Publishing Digital and Print Media, which is a 33-credit program, scheduled around working hours. "We put a strong emphasis on real world, real workplace learning," says Director Andrea Chambers, "and we provide students with a very strong foundation in book and magazine publishing, including a strong focus on digital."

Drawing on its NYC location, Chambers has assembled a faculty of editors-in-chief, publishers, and executives from leading media companies such as HarperCollins, Hearst Magazines, Hachette and Scholastic. Students can expect a wide selection of credit-based internship placements with these companies each semester, often leading to employment opportunities.

Pace University Graduate Publishing Program
Contact: Sherman Raskin, Program Director
Phone: 212-346-1431
E-mail: puboffice@pace.edu

Pace University's M.S. program is located in midtown New York City and offers courses crafted and moderated by an advisory board of successful authors, editors and executives from CondéNast, the New York Times Company and John Wiley & Sons. The 36-credit curriculum focuses on practical experience in book and magazine production, finance, and information systems and emphasizes the ability to network with alumni in the publishing industry.

Rosemont College Master of Arts in Publishing
Contact: Anne Willkomm, Program Director
Phone: 610-527-0200 x2336
E-mail: awillkomm@rosemont.edu

Eleven miles west of Philadelphia, Rosemont's M.A. in Publishing offers a unique set of courses to prepare students for careers in print and digital publishing in both the magazine and book industries. "Rosemont is the only publishing program in the states to offer a concentration in Children's and Young Adult Publishing," says Director Anne Willkomm, "We also offer the Business of Publishing, Design and Editorial concentrations." Rosemont publishing students learn from professors who work in the industry and discuss up-to-date issues in the classroom.

"In addition to our distinguished faculty, our students get jobs," says Willkomm, "Not when they graduate, but while they are students." Graduates have obtained positions at Macmillan, Elsevier and the Chicago Tribune, to name a few.

University of Denver Publishing Institute
Contact: Joyce Meskis, Director
Phone: 303-871-7691
E-mail: joyce.meskis@du.edu

The Publishing Institute is a four-week program focused specifically on book publishing. Established in 1976, the Publishing Institute is one of the oldest programs of its kind and over 250 publishing executives have come to Denver to lead workshops, lectures, and special sessions on the book industry.

"By the time [students] have completed this certificate course," says Director Joyce Meskis, "They not only have had the opportunity to reassess or affirm their own professional goals and talent, they have had hands on experience in testing some of their skills and making improvements upon them in order to provide a better trained candidate applying for that perfect job in publishing."

Columbia Publishing Course
Contact: Shaye Areheart, Deputy Director
Phone: 212-854-1898
E-mail: sea2148@columbia.edu

"The Columbia Publishing Course, which was previously the Radcliffe Publishing Course, has been around for 66 years," says Shaye Areheart, Deputy Director of the 6-week course, "And it is the oldest and, many feel, the most distinguished course in the country." Famous alums include industry leaders such as Morgan Entrekin, Nan Graham, Scott Moyers and Jenny Frost, and upon graduation, graduates gain access to job placement and support from this active alumni network. "Students can expect to be well-prepared to meet the challenges of starting a career in book or magazine or digital publishing once they have completed the course," says Areheart, "Furthermore, the people interviewing them know this."

Drexel University M.S. in Publishing
Contact: Joan Blumberg, Program Coordinator
Phone: 215-895-6351
E-mail: jwb28@drexel.edu

Drexel University's 45- credit program in Publishing Management focuses on the latest technology and core principles of publishing, preparing students to direct publications in the book and magazine industry. "As the title of our program, Publication Management, implies," says Program Coordinator Joan Blumberg, "Many students, especially those already in publishing, use this program to broaden their knowledge and to gain an advantage when it comes to the possibility of being promoted or introduced into management positions"

Located in the publishing hub of Philadelphia, Blumberg draws on professionals from local publishing companies. Our own Editorial Director Lynn Rosen is among those professionals, teaching a summer course called Trade Publishing.

Emerson College Publishing and Writing (M.A.)
Point of Contact: Lisa Diercks, Graduate Program Director
Phone: 617-824-8230
E-mail: lisa_diercks@emerson.edu

Emerson's M.A. in Publishing and Writing, located in the center of Boston's publishing industry, instructs students on all phase of the publishing process from design to distribution. In addition to publishing instruction, Emerson provides courses in literature writing, teaching college composition and internships in the magazine industry, book industry, and literary agencies.

George Washington University Master of Professional Studies in Publishing
Contact: Arnold Grossblatt, Director
Phone: 202-994-7220
E-mail: arnieg@gwu.edu

The Master of Professional Studies in Publishing covers traditional print and electronic publishing topics with topics ranging from design, marketing and business management. The two-year graduate program is structured around the schedule of a working professional and offers classes in the evening as well as online. With proximity and close relations to D.C. organizations, the program's strength lies in STM and academic publishing.

"The only sustainable advantage for a professional is in the speed of learning," says Director Arnold Grossblatt, "If you can't learn faster than others your position and career are in jeopardy. So I hope what students take away is the need to commit to continual professional learning."