MA in Publishing and Writing
Boston, USA
MA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
Key Summary
About: The MA in Publishing and Writing at Emerson College trains students in book, magazine and digital publishing with hands-on editorial experience. You’ll work on Emerson’s digital publication and complete internships across trade, academic and magazine media. Study on the Boston campus full- or part-time; most classes run evenings. Applicants don’t need the GRE; you’ll tap a broad alumni network and mentors.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter editorial, digital content, marketing and PR. Writing jobs show 4% projected growth; Master’s holders earn about $229 more per week than bachelor’s holders. Potential careers include Editors, Digital Content Producers, Literary Agents, and Writers.
Program Highlights
- A dynamic curriculum that builds a solid foundation of skills in book, magazine, and digital publishing
- An emphasis on hands-on learning, with options such as working on the Emerson College-owned digital publication The Independent and with community partners (current and former partners include the Boston Globe Magazine, Bookbuilders of Boston, and Artists for Humanity)
- Internship opportunities at a wide variety of publishers (such as children's and adult trade, academic, magazine media, and news) and publishing-related firms
- Study full-time or part-time in person on our beautiful Boston campus
- Most classes, whether in-person or online, are offered in the evening to maximize flexibility
- Access to a vast alumni network
- No GRE requirements to apply
Emerson College’s on-campus MA in Publishing and Writing requires 40 credits for completion. While students must attend classes in person on the Boston campus, a limited selection of online courses is also available.
Housed in the School of the Arts, the program covers various aspects of publishing, including print and digital media, video, and social platforms. Courses focus on a comprehensive skill set, including writing, editing, design, production, marketing, project management, and product development.
Publishing and Writing Alumni
Publishing and Writing alumni have worked for a variety of companies, and even started their own, including:
Magazine Media & News Organizations
- America’s Test Kitchen
- The Boston Globe
- Boston Magazine
- Bustle
- Coastal Living
- Country Living
- Harvard Business Review
- Harvard Magazine
- Philadelphia
- Vox
- The Washington Post
- Yoga Journal
Book Publishers
- Abrams
- Appetite (part of PRH Canada)
- Bayard Presse (France)
- Beacon Press
- Candlewick Press
- Chronicle Books
- Hachette Book Group
- HarperCollins
- Simon & Schuster
- Penguin Random House
- Soho Publishing
- W.W. Norton
University Presses and Educational Publishers
- Brandeis University Press
- Cambridge University Press
- Cengage
- Harvard University Press
- Macmillan Learning
- MIT Press
- Pearson
- Princeton University Press
- University of Chicago Press
- Wiley
Financial Aid
Emerson College is proud to offer students and families financial aid options and resources.
Scholarships
Upon applying to an Emerson Graduate Program, the Graduate Admission team automatically reviews every accepted student’s scholarship eligibility.
Career Outlook for Publishing and Writing Graduates
Students interested in a writing career can expect yearly job growth of 4%. Employees with a master's degree earn $229 more a week than those with a bachelor’s. Our Publishing and Writing program offers you direct access to top creative industry leaders, alumni, and faculty.
Explore a dynamic range of careers, including:
- Designers and Art Directors
- Digital Content Producers, Managers, and Strategists
- Editors and Editorial Consultants
- Literary Agents
- Marketing Managers
- Print and Production Specialists
- Public Relations Managers
- Publicists
- Social Media Editors
- UX Specialists and Front-end Web Developers
- Writers and Content Creators
Who Should Apply?
Emerson College’s on-campus Publishing and Writing MA graduate program enrolls a diverse cohort of students who majored, work in, or are interested in communications, English, journalism, marketing, storytelling, design, and writing. Our students aspire to work in the publishing industry and often go on to pursue careers as editors; publicists; agents; content writers; marketers; or web, book, or magazine designers. Housed in the School of the Arts, our graduate program fosters collaborative teamwork and demonstrates a steadfast commitment to opposing the suppression of ideas and literature.
