Friday 27 July 2012

Online Book Publishing Courses and Training Programs


Research online graduate certificates and master's degree programs in book publishing. Get information about online courses, program and technical requirements, career prospects and salary to make an informed decision about your education.

Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Publishing Overview

Students enrolled in an online graduate certificate program in publishing are introduced to the world of publishing and the techniques used in presenting literary works to consumers. While on-campus book publishing programs are widely available, the limited online programs tend to focus more on general publishing, but some do offer a specialization in the book production and sale process. Because of advancements in technology, digital e-publishing is also prevalent in many online programs.
Applicants of the online graduate certificate program are often required to hold a bachelor's degree. Coursework a student will encounter might overlap with classes found in marketing, advertising and graphic design programs.

Program Requirements

The online graduate certificate in publishing could take a year or more to complete and often consists of four or five courses. Using a computer with Internet access, students log onto an online portal to receive assignments, take exams, participate in discussion boards and communicate with instructors and other students. These certificate programs can be earned completely online and no in-person attendance is required.

Common Coursework

General education requirements are usually satisfied in an undergraduate degree program, so coursework consists of publishing related topics. Book publishing classes offer instruction in the design, marketing and distribution of books. Digital publishing courses may include the fundamentals of graphic design. Courses taken in the certificate program can often be applied towards related master's program requirements.

Principals of Publishing

Students study the process of acquiring literary content and creating a finished product to sell to the public. Financial and legal issues involving property rights and funding are also explored.

Design

The various tools used in designing a book are introduced. Students learn how to select appropriate design elements such as font, color and visually appealing layouts.

Sales and Distribution

Students are taught how to determine what readers are looking for and what methods of distribution are most effective. Online methods of marketing - such as blogs and social media - are discussed.

Career and Salary Information

After gaining some knowledge of book publishing in an online certificate program, a graduate could work as an advertising sales agents and promote book sales. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of these sales agents is predicted to grow by seven percent from 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). In May 2011, the BLS determined that advertising sales agents earned an average annual wage of $55,430.

Overview of Online Master's Degrees in Publishing

Online master's degree programs in publishing provide students with historical and procedural knowledge of the publishing world and provide the skills necessary for graduates to possibly qualify for editorial and marketing careers at large publication houses. Many online graduate degree programs in general publishing are available, but very few focus exclusively on book publishing. Applicants are required to complete a bachelor's degree program before gaining admittance, but the field of undergraduate study is usually not specified.

Program Requirements

Depending on how many courses are taken each term, the master's degree in publishing can be completed in 2-3 years. Many degrees can be earned completely online, but some programs offer a combination of online instruction and interactive opportunities on-campus. A few programs also offer internship experiences that will require in-person work. Students complete assignments and tests, view lectures and participate in discussions through an online portal. An Internet connection is required, and students may need to purchase design software, depending on what coursework is offered.

Common Classes

Editing

Students are exposed to the publishing process of obtaining materials and the procedures involved with licensing and assigning tasks to the editorial team. The ways to produce a quality product are emphasized.

Publishing Management

The structure of a publishing organization is examined in this course. Students learn effective methods of directing business activities and how to provide leadership through the different stages of production.

Strategic Marketing

Students will analyze the relationship between editors and writers and the marketing department. Campaign creation and branding practices are among additional topics covered.

Career Information for Graduates

A graduate of an online master's degree program might also qualify for a job as an editor in the book publishing industry. The BLS has projected that there will be no increase in the employment rate of editors during the 2008-2018 decade. Based on May 2011 numbers from the BLS, editors earned an average of $60,490 per year.

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