Do You Need a Graduate Degree to Work as a Copy Editor for a Newspaper?
The degree requirements for a copy editor can vary by employer, though most usually require some form of college education. An advanced degree in journalism or English isn't usually a requirement to obtain a job as a copy editor. However, obtaining such a degree can carry several important benefits, including the opportunity to establish connections with a variety of newspaper publications and learn from those with a large amount of experience in the field.
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College Degree Requirements
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A professional working in the editorial field, including a copy editor, must usually obtain at least a college degree in journalism, English or a related field to find work in the industry according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Coursework in these degree programs usually involves a thorough study of English grammar, styles of punctuation and media courses involving print and digital publications. Degree programs in journalism and English are available at accredited colleges and universities in states across the country.
Gaining Work Experience
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A graduate degree isn't usually necessary to secure a specific role as a copy editor with a newspaper. If an editor with a college degree also has substantial and steady experience working for newspapers and other print media, a prospective employer will usually not require an advanced degree because the copy editor has a long list of credits full of evidence that she can do the work.
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Grad School Networking
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While attending graduate school for journalism isn't mandatory for a copy editor, it can provide networking opportunities that make securing a higher-level editorial position easier. According to Walden Siew, writing for the Journalism Jobs website, graduate school provides an editor with a period in time to establish relationships with professors who have connections in the publishing industry as well as communicate directly with established editors working at area newspapers. Making friends with fellow classmates can also aid in securing a better editorial position at a newspaper if those classmates wind up in hiring positions.
Using Alumni Services
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A copy editor with a graduate degree in journalism can also take advantage of his college or university's alumni services department. According to the Journalism Jobs website, a college or university's alumni services department for graduate students can keep an editor informed of job openings in the field and make it easier to obtain interviews and secure better paying positions at a variety of publications, including newspapers. The editor can also use his relationships with graduate-level professors to provide recommendations for job openings.
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