With an emphasis upon real-world, workplace-based learning, the 36-credit Master of Science in Publishing provides students with a practical foundation in book and media publishing. Through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience with key programs and platforms, the Master of Science in Publishing helps students gain the skills required for success in today’s publishing workplace. The program builds competence in the creative and content development elements of the industry, including acquiring and editing for print and digital formats. Students also learn essential business functions such as marketing and publicity, sales, finance, and business development. You may elect to take a flexible full-time (courses three or four nights a week) or part-time schedule, designed to accommodate your studies and your work in the industry.
Your professors in the classroom are working publishing professionals, including publishers and editors; marketing, publicity, and sales directors; and other high-level leaders who introduce you to the latest business strategies as well as provide access to valuable networking contacts. In addition, an advisory board of senior industry executives supports student interests and facilitates publishing events. Distinguished alumni, who are top industry leaders, return to the classroom to share their knowledge with the next generation of publishing professionals.
Learning occurs not only in the classroom, but also through industry visits to publishing and media companies, as well as lectures and workshops by prominent guest speakers. The global nature of the program enables qualified students to volunteer at major trade conferences and events, including the Frankfurt, London, and Bologna Book Fairs. The program offers an extensive network of industry contacts, and facilitates student participation in a variety of other industry events and conferences in NYC and nationally. In addition, students may enroll in an elective internship program.
The academic culmination of the program is a graduate Capstone thesis, for which students develop a comprehensive business plan for a new media publishing venture. With the guidance of faculty members, students present their theses to industry leaders, showcasing the depth of their learning and their readiness to move forward in an exciting, rapidly changing industry.
Admissions
Admission to master’s programs at the NYU School of Professional Studies requires the completion of a U.S. bachelor's degree or its international equivalent. Admissions decisions are made through a holistic review process. Visit the SPS Admissions website for detailed application requirements and deadlines.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 36 credits, comprised of the following:
Students are required to take the Capstone Thesis course in their final semester, in conjunction with its co-requisite, PUBB1-GC 1155 Finance in Publishing II:
Students may take PUBB1-GC 3910 Internship in Publishing up to two times during their time in the program for a total of 3 credits towards their electives. The two internships must be with different companies, imprints, or magazine/media brands, or different functions within the same company (i.e., editorial, marketing, sales, design, etc.)
Areas of Study
The MS in Publishing offers three areas of study for students to tailor their coursework. These correspond with the functions of the publishing industry: Media Content Development, Media Marketing and Distribution, and Media Profitability.
Students are required to take 3 credits from each Area of Study, as well as an additional 3 credits from any one of the Areas of Study, for a total of 12 credits.
Media Content Development
Students explore how to create and edit engaging, immersive content across media platforms including books, magazines, mobile, web, and video.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
Apply specific knowledge of the context and content of the media industry including book, magazine, and digital publishing to editorial and content development, including design.
Identify legal principles and doctrine as applied to media and assess how these principles and doctrine drive business practices across all platforms.
Apply marketing, audience development, sales and distribution functions of the media industry to current business practices.
Apply key digital platform, program, business model, and market strategies to the planning and execution of content creation and business outcomes.
Develop financial models driving print and digital media across all media platforms.
Write clear, logical and persuasive reports for the media business.
Present complex, multi-faceted material in a clear, precise and persuasive fashion.
Apply key business and leadership skills required to run effective existing and new media businesses on a global scale; incorporate this into professional growth and career advancement.
Policies
Program Policies
ABSENCE POLICY: Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Attendance will be taken into consideration when assigning final grades. Unexcused absences may have a negative impact on your participation grade. Students who are excessively absent may be considered to have withdrawn unofficially and may be given the final grade of "F." Students who miss class for medical reasons are required to notify their instructor of their absence in advance and may be asked to produce a doctor’s documentation of treatment at the next class. Students who plan to miss classes for religious reasons are expected to inform instructors beforehand and are responsible for assignments given during their absence. For university policies on religious holidays please check https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/university-calendar-policy-on-religious-holidays.html. If a student misses a class for religious or excused medical reasons, they are required to turn in all assignments the day they are due and to also review any presentations uploaded to Brightspace. Students should also ask a fellow student to provide them with class notes. Students may enter the classroom late or leave class early only if given permission by the instructor.
AI-CONTENT GENERATING TOOLS: Students are not restricted from using AI-content generating tools in their assignments, but should always do so in conversation with their faculty member and with appropriate attribution. In most cases, it is best to receive approval in advance from your faculty before using AI-content generating tools. Your faculty will be able to give you support and outline parameters for appropriate attribution. Your faculty may also ask that you do not use these tools for certain assignments (or parts of assignments) if it will hinder target learning outcomes. Any use of generative AI must include a citation specifying the tool used and potentially a record of prompts used.
ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED DIGITALLY: Assignments will be submitted digitally, via NYU Brightspace’s File Exchange or Assignments functions, at the professor’s discretion. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure timely delivery. Should there be any questions as to whether an assignment was submitted on time, the burden of proof falls on the student.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Students must submit any assignments by the due date, or they will be downgraded one grade increment for each day that an assignment is late, including weekend days. For example, an A will become an A- if submitted a day late, a B+ if two days late, and so on.
IN-CLASS CONTRIBUTIONS: In-class contributions are graded for the quality of contributions and not necessarily the quantity. To be an effective participant, a student needs to come to class prepared, listen to peers, and build upon the comments of classmates. Comments should be thoughtful, relevant, and help move the class discussion forward. Simply restating what others have said will not contribute to a satisfactory grade for participation.
GROUP PROJECTS: One concern students often have about working in teams is the issue of equity. One of the most important managerial skills is team management. Team projects provide participants with the opportunity to experience team dynamics and develop individual managerial skills and style.
Team members, however, do not always contribute equally to projects. Each team member is expected to carry an equal share of the workload. Faculty will not supervise teams any more or less than a manager would supervise a work team. Rather, members are expected to get the work done and manage each other as well as the overall team.
Undoubtedly, members will emerge into certain roles such as leader, organizer, researcher, etc. This is expected and is the sign of good teamwork. As long as each person contributes equally in terms of workload, it is wise to use the skills and strengths of each team member.
You should be sure to agree on procedures and deadlines, and to address any problems early on. While the team should try to resolve problems among themselves, members may also seek help from the faculty. If one or more members of the group are not participating or carrying their weight, that should be brought to the attention of the faculty.
In determining grades for group projects, faculty will take into account the overall quality of the project, both written and oral, as well as each team member’s contribution to the project. The faculty member may also take into account a team’s evaluation of each member’s work.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Plagiarism involves borrowing or using information from other sources without proper and full credit. Students are expected to demonstrate how what they have learned incorporates an understanding of the research and expertise of scholars and other appropriate experts; thus recognizing others’ published work or teachings—whether that of authors, lecturers, or one’s peers—is a required practice in all academic projects. Please also note that the plagiarism policy forbids submitting original work toward requirements in more than one class without the prior permission of the instructors. The full policy is located under the Graduate tab of the University's Policies and Procedures page: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/student-experience/policies-and-procedures.html#Graduate1. It will be strictly enforced.
HONOR CODE: The MS in Publishing program expects the members of the community to act with integrity and honesty and to promote a sense of trust among students, faculty and administrators. A copy of the Honor Code can be obtained from the Department.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Since good writing counts in business, especially in publishing, part of the grade for written work will be based on writing – 85% will be based on content and 15% on grammar, spelling and clarity. All written assignments must be typed and double-spaced.
TEXTING, EMAILING, AND BROWSING THE INTERNET IN CLASS: Please note that, out of courtesy to instructors and fellow classmates, all cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off in class. Texting, using social media, checking email, or browsing the Internet are not permitted in class unless as part of a class assignment/activity. Faculty members reserve the right to ask students to cease any activity that may be distracting to other students during class.
WORKING/INTERNING FOR INSTRUCTOR: Students are not permitted to intern or work for an instructor while enrolled in that instructor’s class. This policy was established to avoid conflict of interest and avoid putting instructors in the awkward position of having to simultaneously grade and supervise students. Should this situation occur inadvertently, the department will move students to a different section of the class or suggest other options.