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Media, Writing, and Communications Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking

Diploma Description

Offered fully online, the Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking is designed to provide students with expert advice on what publishers look for and the skills needed to become an exemplary copy editor across all types of media–including book, magazine, newspaper, and online publishing. The contributions of copy editors and proofreaders are invaluable to the publishing process. Their roles are essential to ensuring the consistency and accuracy of text and preparing manuscripts for publication. Job opportunities are available through the robust freelance market and occasionally through full-time in-house positions, and the skills are transferable to all industries that utilize written communications. Gain familiarity with the structure of publishing and digital media organizations, and the roles of proofreaders, copy editors, and fact-checkers. Learn how to recognize media bias and the importance of broadening your news sources. Become familiar with standard copyediting and proofreading symbols and terminology, style guides, house styles, and production cycles. Develop techniques to edit text for accuracy, clarity, and flow. Through hands-on practice, learn how to proof against a manuscript, utilize appropriate reference works, and solve common grammar, punctuation, and word use issues.

 

The Certificate must be completed within three years of taking the first certificate-eligible course; and is awarded to students who successfully complete the seven required courses.

Upon successful completion of the certificate, students may be eligible for up to 3 credits toward the MS in Publishing degree. Details provided upon acceptance to the MS in Publishing program.

Note: We strongly recommend that students take Mastering English Grammar/WPUB1-CE9503 and Fact-Checking for Accuracy/WPUB1-CE9502 before taking any other courses in the Certificate program. Please see the course descriptions below for more information.

For advisement, please contact the Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts at sps.pala.ce@nyu.edu.

Earn a 10% DISCOUNT* on courses by declaring your candidacy for the Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking.

 

Program Curriculum

COURSES THAT GIVE YOU THE SKILLS AND TRAINING YOU NEED TO START YOUR NEW CAREER

Program Curriculum

COURSES THAT PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION IN THE FIELD WITH OPTIONS TO SPECIALIZE IN AN AREA RELEVANT TO YOUR NEEDS

REQUIRED COURSES

All Courses Required

Mastering English Grammar

Review the eight principal parts of speech, and gain an understanding of how they work together syntactically to form sentences.

2024 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Fact-Checking for Accuracy

Learn to develop effective fact-checking strategies to apply in any field of publishing.

2024 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

A Career in Freelance Copyediting

Hone both your copyediting skills and your professionalism, and receive expert advice on how to get hired at either a magazine or book publisher.

2024 Spring
1 section

Media Literacy: An Overview

When working in media jobs, it’s essential to be both a savvy consumer of the news as well as a thoughtful editor. This class, taught by a...

2024 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Introduction to the Media Industry

In this two-session course taught by a senior magazine editor with deep experience in newspaper, magazine, and digital media as well as...

2024 Spring
1 section

Copyediting and Proofreading Books

This hands-on course provides intensive training in the fundamentals of copyediting and proofreading books.

2024 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Copyediting for Digital and Print Media

With information being delivered in a variety of ways—from online-only publications to print magazines, and often hybrid models of...

2024 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Complete 0

General Admission Requirements

For those who have completed some college Completion of 32 credits with at least 2 years work experience OR 60 credits with no work experience required