WHITIREIA PUBLISHING PROGRAMME The Graduate Certificate in Editing is one of a suite of courses offered by the highly regarded publishing programme at Whitireia. The publishing programme is New Zealand s premier training course for publishing teaching the whole process, from manuscript to bookstore, app or website. The programme trains for careers in the wider publications sector along with book publishing, offering a full publishing qualification and two editing courses. For a taste of the publishing programme, you can find more on our website, like our page on Facebook or sign up to our quarterly newsletter, where you ll receive regular updates and get a sense of our interests and activities. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING The Graduate Certificate in Editing is a comprehensive introduction to professional editing and proofreading in print and digital environments. It is a valuable overview for anyone whose work includes a writing and editing component, and for beginning editors in public sector or specialist publishing. This part-time online course is taught by industry experts and provides assessment, feedback and workplace case studies. It covers the principles and practices of editing in print and digital environments. WHAT DOES THE COURSE COVER? The Graduate Certificate in Editing is undertaken as two part-time papers: Editing and Editing Project. The first paper develops skills and knowledge for a range of professional editing roles in print and digital environments. In the second, students apply their knowledge to a significant project. Topics include: Editing overview, the editor s role and responsibilities Audience and publication format (print and digital formats, evaluating and assessing content, repurposing and summarising) Principles of clear expression and communication, including plain English Grammar and usage, common errors Editing tools and resources (style and style sheets, mark-up, editing onscreen) Editing and proofreading skills PUBLISHING PROGRAMME GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING APPLICATION 1
Developing editorial judgement, working with authors and stakeholders Editing Māori in English-language texts Legal considerations, fact checking and bibliographic citation Search and indexing in digital and print. WHO IS THE COURSE FOR? This course is designed for people who work or wish to work in the wider publishing sector, including government departments and non-governmental organisations. The Graduate Certificate in Editing is suitable for those in a range of roles that require editing and proofreading skills, or people who would like to formalise their knowledge of editing conventions and industry standards. Those who wish to pursue a career in book editing, book publishing or publishing in digital and print media should enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied). WHAT ROLES WILL GRADUATES TAKE UP ON GRADUATION? The Graduate Certificate in Editing builds editing skills for a broad context such as policy advice, web editing, research, content management, communications, technical publishing and report writing. Graduates will be prepared to take up editing and proofreading opportunities in the wider publishing sector, such as proofreading, editing, web editing, writing or subediting. They will have experience in basic editorial skills and techniques and will be suited to enter organisations where they work with mentors and experienced colleagues to continue to develop their skills. Some individuals with particular backgrounds and experience will be in a position to embark on freelance proofreading and editing work. HOW IS THE COURSE STRUCTURED? The Graduate Certificate in Editing is made up of two 16-week courses: Editing and Editing Project. The Editing course is delivered online. It comprises written course material, activities, exercises and online discussion forums. Successful completion of this course is a pre-requisite for entry to the Editing Project. The latter is a self-paced editing project which students complete under the supervision of a mentor. This course is self-directed but students are required to provide material for their supervisor at specific stages. If approved by programme staff, some students may apply for the opportunity to undertake this project in a specialist editing area, working with an industry mentor, for example, in Māori-language editing. HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT? This is an information-rich programme, with all material provided online. Students work through the online material, read associated references, and complete learning activities, online discussion and assignments. An important component of the course is the forum, where students contribute their research and thinking to discussion topics, for comment by other students and the tutors. Publishing staff have broad experience in trade, educational and government publishing, and all tutors work in the sector alongside their teaching. PUBLISHING PROGRAMME GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING APPLICATION 2
HOW MUCH WORK DOES THE COURSE ENTAIL? The course requires 15 20 hours per week study, but hours are flexible so students can undertake tasks and study in their own time. WHAT RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT ARE REQUIRED? Most material is provided online but students will be required to purchase two set texts (TBA). Microsoft Word and a broadband connection are necessary. Visit the Whitireia website for a checklist of the basic technical requirements for online learning. WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS? Undergraduate degree or equivalent and evidence of suitability based on written application and interview. The written application must demonstrate the competencies required for an editing role, including written and oral communication skills, computer competency, ability to contribute to a team environment, and experience in and/or commitment to working in publishing and editing roles. International IELTS 7.0. WHAT DOES IT COST? Fees for this programme are currently NZ $1922.50 each course ($3845.00 for the qualification). WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS? Applicants are shortlisted for interview on the basis of their written application. Interviews are conducted at the Wellington city campus in Dixon Street, the Auckland campus in Queen Street or by conference call. Interviews for the following year are held in early December. Interviews for the July intake are held in May and June. To ensure you will be considered for interview, you should apply by 30 November (for semester 1 courses) or 31 May (for semester 2 courses). Late applications will be considered subject to the number of places available. You can apply online or by post. To apply, submit the attached cover sheet plus: a letter of introduction explaining why you want to do the course 2 copies a short essay on the importance of well-edited English in workplace communications 2 copies curriculum vitae 2 copies academic transcripts for relevant qualifications Whitireia New Zealand Application to Enrol verified copy of birth certificate, passport or other evidence of permanent residence. If relevant, you may also submit references or a sample of editing-related material. See also the attached hints about the application and interview process. PUBLISHING PROGRAMME GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING APPLICATION 3
APPLICATION COVER SHEET GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING 2016 NAME ADDRESS TEL. (HM) TEL. (WK) MOBILE EMAIL HAVE YOU INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING? Whitireia New Zealand application form (online or hard copy) Verified copy of birth certificate, passport or other evidence of permanent residence Letter of introduction 2 copies Short essay 2 copies Curriculum vitae 2 copies Copies of academic transcripts POST APPLICATIONS TO Information & Enrolment Centre Publishing Programme Application Whitireia New Zealand DX Mail SX33471, Wellington PUBLISHING PROGRAMME GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING APPLICATION 4
HINTS FOR PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THE PUBLISHING PROGRAMME Due to limited places and a large number of applicants, there are usually at least two applicants for every place on the publishing programme. Successful applicants tend to exceed the basic entry criteria because of the work they put into preparing their application. To enhance your chances of successfully getting onto the course consider the following. Publishing is a process that requires complex project management, attention to the tiniest detail and working to tight deadlines. Most publishing jobs involve project management and require a range of skills, from sensitivity to language to handling budgets. Publishing spans the worlds of art and business, and the business side is not the least of it. People who work in the publishing industry need to have strong interpersonal skills and a curiosity and interest in the media and world in general. Publishing is about working intensively with the written word its structure, grammar, tone, pitch, stress, musicality, and appropriateness for different types of reader. You need to demonstrate in your application that you have enough of a facility with the written word to be capable of being trained to meet the demands of working with language at its best. Finally, due to the competitive nature of entry, it pays to give as much attention to your application as you would preparing a job application. PUBLISHING PROGRAMME GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDITING APPLICATION 5