• Creative Publishing Studio Course

    Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism

  • Contact Us

    General Admission Contact
    The New School for Social Research
    Office of Admission
    72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor
    New York, NY 10011
    212.229.5600 or 800.523.5411
    [email protected]

    Admissions Liaison
    [email protected]

    Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism
    6 East 16th Street, room 711A
    New York, NY 10003
    212.229.2747 x3026
    Fax: 212.229.5473

    Mailing Address
    79 Fifth Avenue, room 711A
    New York, NY 10003

    Faculty Director
    James Miller

    Senior Secretary
    [email protected]

    CPCJ Student Handbook

  • Admission Links

  • The academic traditions of criticism, theory, and critical writing all share an equal part in a rigorous MA in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism. Here, students are immersed in New York City, the capital of publishing, with a variety of studio courses and work experiences. Learn how to design, edit, and distribute journals and books that contain intellectually serious work for modern readers.

    The Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism (CPCJ) master's program surveys traditional forms of book and magazine publishing while exploring the possibilities of new media, placing an emphasis on unorthodox and forward-looking forms. CPCJ broadens the lens of traditional journalism programs with its emphasis on design, contemporary print and digital publishing practices, and genres of cultural criticism, long-form creative nonfiction, and reflective writing that is deeply informed by rigorous critical theory and research.

    The master's program is aimed at a variety of students: writers and reporters who dream of becoming the next Susan Sontag or Glenn Greenwald; graphic designers who aspire to bring writing, editing, and criticism into their practices; and editors who dream of starting a new intellectual quarterly to follow in the footsteps of affiliated faculty like Jonathan Baskin, the founder of The Point.

    Guided by CPCJ faculty with extensive industry experience, students:

    • Investigate the many forms of contemporary print and online publishing in New York City, including books, magazines, journals, alternative media, print-on-demand, and small-batch publications
    • Gain foundational knowledge of the history, traditions, and styles of cultural criticism and critical theory
    • Question the authority and reliability of the information conveyed by media and explore what obligation (if any) reporters, writers, scholars, or citizens have to tell the truth
    • Develop an understanding of the process of designing, editing, and distributing journals and books containing intellectually serious work across print and online platforms
    • Engage in experiential learning in visual communications and new media technology, drawing on the expertise of Parsons School of Design, a world-class institution for designers and artists housed at The New School
    • Establish relationships with industry professionals and build a professional network

    Graduates emerge from this MA program with a robust portfolio of work and wide set of skills. Students don't just study big ideas, great books, and contemporary theories of media. They also learn how to use media, by learning the ropes of the New York publishing world, online and in print, up close and personal, through site visits, writing-intensive seminars, collaborative multimedia studio courses, and an individualized capstone project.

  • Featured Courses

    Our curriculum surveys the dawn of the mechanical printing press through modern interactive design. Through seminar classes, survey the “worlds built by words” that first flourished in the Renaissance and continue to evolve in a brave new world of digital media, tweets, and social-networking.

  • Scholars and Work

    Look closer at our cutting-edge historical research produced by our faculty and students:

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

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