certificate

Editing and Publishing

Get hands-on training for a career in editing, communication, or book and document production. This certificate can be completed online or in the classroom.

This program is perfect for...

  • Writers seeking a career related to their passion
  • Those passionate about books and reading
  • Communication professionals interested in building core core skills to advance their careers
  • Independent and self-publishing authors who want professional development

What you can learn.

  • Read like a content editor who can improve ideas and expression
  • Employ standard practices used by copyeditors in a variety of fields and disciplines
  • Discover how manuscripts become books and other items sold in marketplaces or distributed to audiences
  • Identify how editors can work collaboratively with other professionals to produce high-quality work

Learn the creative side of the book business.

stacks of books on a table

The UCLA Extension Editing and Publishing Certificate program provides practical education and professional development for professionals planning on transitioning to careers in literary editing or publishing, supporting the commercial aspects of creative writing.  

Developed with advice and participation from representatives of successful local models, the program gives students a ground-up view of publishing, beginning with core editing skills and advancing to high-level publishing business activities.

This certificate combines core editorial skill development and publishing industry knowledge with practical hands-on experiential opportunities through internships. Graduates are well-positioned for jobs as editors in publishing or business, managing editors, copyeditors and developmental editors.

 

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required Courses
Students must complete the following 5 courses.
WRITING X 451.1
Typically Offered: Winter
WRITING X 451.2
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
WRITING X 451.3
Electives
Students must complete 1 of the following courses.
WRITING X 451.4
WRITING X 452.3
WRITING X 452.4E
WRITING X 455.2
Typically Offered: Fall
WRITING X 455.3
Typically Offered: Fall
WRITING X 454.2

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually.

Sequential courses should be taken in numerical order, starting from the lowest course number and progressing to higher numbers.

You may take Editing and Publishing courses without committing to the entire program.* However, by establishing candidacy in the program, you will receive many benefits exclusive to our certificate students such as priority placement on waitlists and access to the UCLA Career Center's job board.

Need assistance? If you have any questions or need advice on course selection, feel free to reach out to us at writers@uclaextension.edu.

*If you take Editing and Publishing courses and pass them with letter grades, they can count retroactively towards certificates for up to five years.
 
A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all courses in order to fulfill certificate requirements.
 

Benefits exclusive for Writers' Program certificate students:

  • Advising: Receive a 30-minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor. During this consultation, the advisor will customize a certificate program curriculum tailored to your experience, interests, and writing goals.
  • Enrollment Advantages: Receive quarterly notice when Writers’ Program courses open for enrollment each quarter and receive preferential placement on wait lists.
  • Manuscript Consultation: Within six months of completing certificate program coursework, receive 50% off a one-on-one manuscript consultation with a Writers' Program instructor. Learn more.

Benefits exclusive to all UCLA Extension certificate students:

  • Career Resources: Access UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops, networking events, and other resources. Learn More.
  • Handshake Access: Explore thousands of job and internship postings through UCLA Career Center’s online job board. Learn More.
  • UCLA Alumni Association Membership: Upon completing your certificate, join the nationwide Bruin family as a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Learn More.
  • Graduation Celebration: Attend the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate your achievements. Learn More.
  • UCLA Recreation Facilities: Enjoy access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate. Learn More.
  • Bruin ID Card: Obtain an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for additional student-related benefits. Learn More.

How to Apply - Establish Certificate Candidacy

  1. Click the Apply Now button below
  2. Login or create a new student account
  3. Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
  4. On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application. 
  5. Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application. 

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

4320.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

300.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Get hands-on work in the field as part of your Certificate in Editing and Publishing.

Certificate students must complete a substantive portion of their course work (at least 9 units) before enrolling in the internship.

Learn More

Contact Us

Speak to a student advisor. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.

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