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Studies & Degrees in Book Publishing

Book publishing is the business of turning a manuscript into a book that reaches readers. The work covers choosing what to publish, editing the text, design and production, marketing, sales and distribution. The same skills now apply to e-books, audiobooks and digital media, so most courses treat print and digital publishing together.

Students learn how a publishing house works as a company, not only how a text is edited. NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) in New York, for example, builds its master's degree around three areas: content development, marketing and distribution, and profitability. Courses in this field usually combine editorial practice with business subjects and a project or placement in a publishing company.

Qualifications and levels

There is no single route into publishing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English or a related field, such as communications or journalism. Publishing as a named qualification is found mainly at master's level and in short professional courses.

  • Master's degree: the MS in Publishing at NYU SPS has 36 credits and a minimum duration of 18 months. It can be taken full time or part time, on campus, online or as a mix of both, and students may take up to four years. It ends with a capstone thesis in which students present a business plan for a new media venture. Internships for credit are an elective. Tuition is US$2,896 per credit for autumn 2026, according to the school.
  • Short intensive course: the NYU Summer Publishing Institute lasts four weeks, is taught full time on campus and gives three graduate credits that may count towards the MS in Publishing. The 2027 edition runs from 1 to 25 June and tuition is US$5,100. It is designed for recent graduates, students entering their final undergraduate year and young professionals.
  • Executive course: the NYU Advanced Publishing Institute is a two-day programme for mid- to senior-level publishing professionals.
  • Study abroad courses: FUA, Florence University of the Arts, teaches in English and has a School of Journalism, Communication, and Publishing. Its disciplines include Publishing and Food Communications and Publishing, and its fashion school offers Fashion Communication and Publishing. FUA also runs a campus press, Ingorda. Students who want credit towards a degree at home should ask their own university and FUA how the courses are recognised.

Where to study book publishing

SpainExchange lists 2 active schools for book publishing: one in Italy and one in the United States. They are FUA in Florence and NYU SPS in New York. Both teach in English.

The NYU master's degree can be completed entirely online, which matters for students who cannot move to New York. The Summer Publishing Institute is open to international students, who must submit TOEFL scores with their application. NYU students also volunteer at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Bologna Children's Book Fair and the London Book Fair, the trade events where publishers meet and rights are sold.

Careers

Publishing graduates work in more roles than editing. NYU SPS names editors, literary agents, marketers, sales professionals and digital content creators as typical destinations, and lists audiobook producer, children's book editor, contracts assistant, developmental editor and international sales manager among the jobs its alumni hold.

Entry is often through an assistant post. According to the BLS, many editors start off as editorial assistants, and publication assistants in book-publishing houses may read and evaluate manuscripts and proofread drafts. The BLS counted about 105,000 editor jobs in the United States in 2025, across books, newspapers, magazines and other media. It projects a decline of 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 7,900 openings each year, all of them to replace people who leave the occupation. Competition for editorial posts is therefore strong, and skills in marketing, data and digital production widen the options.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a publishing degree to work in book publishing?

No. The BLS states that editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism or a related field. A publishing master's or short course adds knowledge of the business and contacts in the industry.

How long does a master's degree in publishing take?

The MS in Publishing at NYU SPS has 36 credits and a minimum duration of 18 months. Part-time students may take up to four years.

Is there a short course to find out whether publishing suits me?

Yes. The NYU Summer Publishing Institute lasts four weeks in June and gives three graduate credits. FUA in Florence offers publishing courses within its English-taught study abroad programmes.

Can international students apply?

Yes. NYU states that the Summer Publishing Institute welcomes international students and requires TOEFL scores from them. FUA teaches in English in Florence.