Curriculum 

4 Required Courses

1. Metadata

This course explores the role of metadata in the evolving information ecosystems within various publishing ecosystems. The course examines the use of specific metadata schemes within the book and digital publishing industries. Topics covered include: metadata models, ontologies, metadata generation and preservation, digital rights management, text analytics, and search optimization. Coursework will include creation of metadata in the common schemas (XML, Dublin Core, EAD, CDWA, VRA, ONIX) and projects designed to provide hands-on practice.

2. Fundamentals of Content Strategy

Content strategy is about developing content as a business asset, using it to achieve specific business goals. This course is designed to help you plan and execute an effective content strategy to build an audience. It will be conducted as a dynamic live project, where you will work alone and in groups to get experience in all the facets of content strategy. You’ll devise a strategy, set goals, create a project plan, and conduct basic research to test your assumptions. You will create, publish, and propagate regular content to meet the needs of the audience you define. You will learn how to organize and optimize your content for maximum impact, and how to set metrics, measure your results, and iterate.

3. Electronic Publishing Overview

This class is an introduction to the main platforms and areas of online publishing. The class will provide hands-on experimentation with the main online publishing platforms and will give students an overview of key concepts such as web analytics, content strategy, and user interaction. The course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the planning, development, and management of a digital system. Students must have basic computer skills.

4. Elective

The fourth required class is an elective. Students may choose to take a rotating topics class on subjects such as XML, Project Management, and Usability/UX design.

Successful completion of any of the following or equivalent undergraduate courses or industry experience in a reporting and analysis function are good examples of experience with relevant quantitative analysis concepts and techniques:

  • Algebra or math courses

  • Introductory statistics courses

  • Economics or econometrics courses

  • Research methods courses

  • Engineering courses

If you are unsure whether you qualify, please seek approval from your Graduate Program Director.

Turn Your Certificate into a Master's Degree:

The Electronic Publishing Overview course would count as one of the core requirements for the MA in Publishing and Writing, and will be offered every semester.

All other classes count as electives for the current MA program and are offered every other semester.