Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Publishing

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Publishing is designed for current and aspiring professionals, including post-bachelor and post-graduate students with degrees in other disciplines. The program offers evening courses online and at GW's convenient Alexandria Education Center, allowing students to complete the program while working full- or part-time. Core coursework for this 18-credit certificate provides a broad foundation in the entire industry, regardless of delivery method (e.g., book, journal, or online), with additional electives in specializations including editorial, business, design, marketing, and technology.

Admissions

• Admission deadlines:
  • Fall - April 1
  • Spring - November 15
• Recommendations required:
  • Two letters of recommendation – one from a professor or academic advisor and one from a professional supervisor, if possible. (Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher need only one letter of recommendation.)
• Prior academic records:
  • Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application.
  • Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
  • Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency.
• Statement of purpose:
  • An essay of one-two pages describing the applicant’s professional experience in publishing, the student's goals and objectives, why the applicant chose GW, and any special circumstances the admissions committee should consider in reviewing the application.
• Additional requirements:
  • Admission requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in publishing.
  • One letter of recommendation should preferably be from a supervisor or colleague from the application's current or former publishing organization.
  • A current resumé or CV is required.

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 18 credits, including 12 credits in required courses and 6 credits in elective courses.

• Required courses:
  • PSPB 6201: Book and Journal Publishing
  • PSPB 6203: Business of Publishing
  • PSPB 6205: Copyright Law in Publishing
  • PSPB 6207: Marketing Strategies
  • PSPB 6251: Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing
• Electives:
  • A total of 6 credits in any courses selected from one or more of the following groups:
    • Editorial group:
      • PSPB 6126: Children's Publishing and Media
      • PSPB 6215: Editing Special Projects
      • PSPB 6220: Professional Copyediting
      • PSPB 6216: Mastering Book Acquisitions
      • PSPB 6218: Trade Book Acquisitions
      • PSPB 6261: Contracts, Rights, and Permissions
      • PSPB 6281: Ethics in Publishing
    • Business and marketing group:
      • PSPB 6221: Publishing Management, Organization, and Strategy
      • PSPB 6222: Accounting and Finance for Publishers
      • PSPB 6223: Global Publishing
      • PSPB 6225: Audiobook and Podcast Publishing
      • PSPB 6236: Publishing Entrepreneurship
      • PSPB 6270: Research in Publishing
      • PSPB 6272: Book Publicity and Promotion
    • Technology, production, and design group:
      • PSPB 6212: Accessibility in Digital Publishing
      • PSPB 6213: Elements of Book Design
      • PSPB 6232: Production Management
      • PSPB 6256: E-Publishing Technologies
      • PSPB 6259: E-Publishing Tools
      • PSPB 6238: Publishing Special Projects