| Admission deadlines: | Fall Priority Deadline - February 1; Fall Final Deadline - April 1 |
| 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. Please be sure you request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grade-point average (GPA), United States degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral. Please see the list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services (https://www.naces.org/members.php). | |
| Statement of purpose: | In an essay of 250-500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in this field and describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, as well as any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application form. |
| Additional requirements: | A resumé. |
| International applicants only: | International students requesting a student visa from GW are not eligible to apply for this program. |
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
College of Professional Studies – Office of Admission
George Washington University
805 21st Street, NW
Suite 301
Washington DC 20052
Contact for questions:
CPS Office of Admission
applycps@gwu.edu ~ 571-553-0025 (phone) ~ 202-242-1047 (fax)
8:30 am – 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 30 credits, including 13 credits in required courses and 17 credits in additional coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| 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 | |
| PSPB 6281 | Ethics in Publishing | |
| Additional coursework | ||
| 17 credits. At least one course must be taken from each of the three groups below. Remaining credits may be taken in any other courses on this list as electives; additional elective options are available as special projects and independent study. | ||
| Editorial group | ||
| PSPB 6126 | Children's Publishing and Media | |
| PSPB 6215 | Editing Special Projects | |
| PSPB 6216 | Mastering Book Acquisitions | |
| PSPB 6218 | Trade Book Acquisitions | |
| PSPB 6220 | Professional Copyediting | |
| PSPB 6261 | Contracts, Rights, and Permissions | |
| 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 6272 | Book Publicity and Promotion | |
| Technology, production, and design group | ||
| 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 | |
Explanation of Course Numbers
- Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
- Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that also may be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
- Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
- The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office
PSPB 5099. Variable Topics. 1-99 Credits.
PSPB 6126. Children's Publishing and Media. 2 Credits.
Explores the children’s media industry with a focus on book publishing. Overview of children’s and YA print, digital, audio, and video segments. Reviews business opportunities, market analysis, trends, demographics, acquisition, and outreach. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6201. Book and Journal Publishing. 3 Credits.
Fundamental aspects of the publishing industry, including business models, acquisitions, production, marketing, and sales for both books and journals. Challenges to the industry and strategic decisions formed and communicated by publishers.
PSPB 6203. Business of Publishing. 2 Credits.
Business operations in the publishing industry and how various business practices impact the publishing ecosystem. Book acquisitions, contracts, business plans, and distribution strategies.
PSPB 6205. Copyright Law in Publishing. 3 Credits.
Provides students with a foundation in U.S. copyright law as it applies to print and electronic media. Key concepts include exclusive rights, fair use, remedies for infringement, and overall challenges in the application of the law to all media.
PSPB 6207. Marketing Strategies. 2 Credits.
Marketing and promotional strategies for print and digital book and journal publishing products. Decisions marketing departments must make to help increase the impact of publishing products.
PSPB 6213. Elements of Book Design. 2 Credits.
The role of design in the publishing process. How components of book design, such as typography, imagery, page layout, cover design, printing, and production affect, and are affected by, content, tone, function, and intended audience. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6259.
PSPB 6214. Professional Editor. 3 Credits.
The editorial function and importance of editorial judgment as personified in the acquisitions, developmental, substantive, and copy editor roles. Freelance editing, editorial management, challenges facing the professional editor, and potential editorial career trajectories. Prerequisite: PSPB 6201.
PSPB 6215. Editing Special Projects. 1 Credit.
Hands-on, real-world editing, peer review, and evaluation of publishing projects. Practical experience editing special projects, which may include journals, open educational resources, monographs, and books. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6214.
PSPB 6216. Mastering Book Acquisitions. 2 Credits.
How publishers identify, select, and publish books. The role of the acquisitions editor in identifying projects, working with authors, and assessing project viability for trade, professional, and scholarly books. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6218. Trade Book Acquisitions. 2 Credits.
The editorial process and responsibilities of a trade book acquisitions editor. Submission evaluations, acquisitions pitches, market research, manuscript development, author management, and positioning books in the market. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6220. Professional Copyediting. 2 Credits.
Professional aspects of being a copyeditor, covering the scope and responsibilities of copyediting; tools, resources, and systems for working efficiently; and strategies for working effectively with others involved in a project.
PSPB 6221. Publishing Management, Organization, and Strategy. 2 Credits.
Acquire and process relevant management knowledge, learn to think critically about management issues, and apply this knowledge to the realities of publishing and digital content delivery in the twenty-first century. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201 and PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6222. Accounting and Finance for Publishers. 2 Credits.
Accounting and finance in a publishing operation, not as creators of financial documents, but as users of financial information. Emphasis on evaluating financial results in terms of organizational success and viability. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201 and PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6223. Global Publishing. 2 Credits.
The global publishing landscape and the opportunities and challenges it presents. Individual trends and forces that impact key markets throughout the world. Effective strategies for expanding to global markets. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201 and PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6225. Audiobook and Podcast Publishing. 2 Credits.
Overview of the audio publishing industry and the ever-expanding options in audio-first content. Audio landscape, business models, rights and licensing, production, distribution, and marketing. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6232. Production Management. 3 Credits.
Publishing production and product life cycles. Students develop products, plan and specify requirements, select vendors, and learn about integrating digital products into print production processes. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201.
PSPB 6236. Publishing Entrepreneurship. 2 Credits.
Using elements of entrepreneurship and business planning to learn strategies for creating a publishing start up, developing a new imprint, or launching a side venture for an existing publishing business. Prerequisites: PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6238. Publishing Special Projects. 1 Credit.
Students work on management, strategy, marketing, and operations of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing and other publishing projects. In groups and individually, students oversee marketing, strategy, and operations for actual projects. Restricted to students in the MPS in publishing program.
PSPB 6251. Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing. 2 Credits.
Digital technologies and trends that have transformed the publishing industry in recent decades, including standards, business models, and technologies and approaches used in electronic publishing.
PSPB 6256. E-Publishing Technologies. 2 Credits.
Overview of current and emerging content technologies, software and hardware components of a typical publishing system, enabling standards, and publishing systems architecture. Restricted to students in the MPS in publishing program. Prerequisites: PSPB 6251.
PSPB 6259. E-Publishing Tools. 2 Credits.
Employs tools to produce both book and magazine page layouts, while delving into style sheets, master pages, importing different file types, and rendering on different platforms. Considers print-ready projects and ways to use multimedia. Prerequisite: PSPB 6251.
PSPB 6261. Contracts, Rights, and Permissions. 2 Credits.
Explores intellectual property rights, contracts, licenses, and ways publishers transfer, manage, or protect rights. Students learn to evaluate and negotiate contract and licensing opportunities, manage permissions, and protect intellectual property. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201 and PSPB 6205. Recommended background: Prior completion of PSPB 6203.
PSPB 6272. Book Publicity and Promotion. 2 Credits.
Overview of strategies, objectives, and tactics for promoting and publicizing new books, monographs, and other publishing products, using examples from trade, academic, and electronic publishing. Prerequisites: PSPB 6201 and PSPB 6207.
PSPB 6280. Applied Ethics in Publishing. 1 Credit.
Students work with publishers, advocacy groups, or community groups on a project that applies ethical theories to real-world publishing situations.
PSPB 6281. Ethics in Publishing. 1 Credit.
Ethical issues in publishing, including censorship, intellectual property rights, plagiarism, open access, business practices, and environmentally-responsible publishing. Issues of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Restricted to second-year students in the MPS in publishing program.
PSPB 6298. Digital Publishing Special Projects. 2 Credits.
Students address a real-world problem using publishing theory and application and consideration of workflows, product life cycle, schedules, deliverables, and dissemination. Prerequisites: PSPB 6251; and PSPB 6256, or PSPB 6257, or PSPB 6259.