Publishing & Printing Arts
Undergraduate Minor College of Liberal Studies
About:
Do you have an interest in a career in the publishing world, or just love books? Whether you’re into writing, graphic design, communication, or business, PLU’s PPA minor offers the perfect starting point for a career in publishing and a wide variety of related professions.
For over 40 years, PLU’s Publishing & Printing Arts (PPA) minor has been one of the only undergraduate programs in the U.S. that blends book history, traditional printing techniques, and modern publishing practices. The 20-credit minor gives you a solid foundation in the world of publishing while offering hands-on experience in editing, marketing, design, and production. PPA pairs perfectly with majors like English, communication, marketing, journalism, and graphic design, but students from all fields can benefit from the program’s connections to the publishing world.
Plus, our faculty’s strong connections with publishing professionals open up internship opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad, giving you real-world experience at libraries, museums, publishers, booksellers, and more. As a PPA minor, you’ll also have the chance to take on leadership roles in PLU’s student publications, like The Mast and Saxifrage. If books are your passion, the PPA minor is the perfect way to kickstart your career.
Skills you'll gain from this program:
- Writing, Editing, and Proofreading — Strengthen your ability to create and refine text with clarity and precision, preparing you for work in publishing, marketing, or communications.
- Layout and Design — Learn how to design visually compelling books, magazines, and digital media using industry-standard software and traditional printing techniques.
- Digital and Print Production — Gain hands-on experience using the same professional tools and technologies found in modern publishing and print studios.
- Business and Professional Communication — Develop strong communication and project coordination skills that translate across creative, corporate, and nonprofit settings.
- Collaboration and Project Management — Work as part of a team to bring creative projects from concept to completion — managing deadlines, balancing roles, and delivering professional-quality results.
Graduates:
PPA grads have put their creative and critical communication skills to work in a variety of roles:
- Young Adult literature editor for a major publishing house
- Bestselling author
- Publishing and design entrepreneur
- Developmental editor for an alternative romance fiction publisher
- Writer for a major sports network
- Corporate librarian
- Printing apprentice
- Graphic designer
It’s FREE to apply to PLU
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Get StartedInternships
PPA students have interned for companies like Johns Hopkins University Press, Parenting Press, Copper Canyon Press, the Minnesota Historical Society Press, and the ELCA, as well as several libraries and museums, and even abroad, including Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers in Namibia.
Hands-on Experience
PLU’s Elliott Press is a hands-on typesetting and printing workshop with over 300 types of type and multiple presses, giving you the chance to create a variety of printed materials. PLU also houses the Thorniley Collection, a unique collection of antique type and printing equipment.
