Education and Training Requirements for a managing editor

Is becoming a managing editor right for me?

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Overview
What do managing editors do?

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How to become a Managing Editor

A clear path leads to becoming a managing editor through education, hands-on experience, and skill building. This journey starts with basics and grows into leadership roles over time.

  • Earn a Relevant Degree: Aspiring managing editors pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Writing, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, English, or Publishing. This education builds core writing and editing skills needed for content work.
  • Gain Entry-Level Experience: Beginners take jobs like copy editor or reporter at local papers or blogs. Early roles teach deadlines and teamwork in real settings.
  • Seek Internships: Internships at media companies offer a foot in the door. They provide practical tasks that strengthen resumes and networks.
  • Build a Freelance Portfolio: Freelance writing or editing creates published samples. A strong portfolio shows skills to future employers.
  • Develop Key Skills: Practice leadership, attention to detail, and tools like content management systems. These abilities help manage teams and projects smoothly.
  • Advance to Mid-Level Roles: Move up to associate or senior editor positions. These steps prove readiness for oversight duties.
  • Pursue Certifications: Professional certifications in editing boost credentials. They signal commitment to industry standards.
  • Network and Learn Trends: Join associations and attend workshops on digital media. Connections open doors to managing editor jobs.

Certifications
Certifications help managing editors enhance skills, develop expertise, and demonstrate credibility to employers.

  • Poynter ACES Certificates in Editing: These certificates are awarded through a partnership between the Poynter Institute and American Copy Editors Society (ACES). Communicators at any stage of their professional development can benefit from one or all of three of the editing certificate programs: Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced. There are no prerequisites for any of the certificates; learners can choose any or all of the learning paths to level up their editing skills. Each certificate level is made up of a series of six to seven courses and a final assessment.
  • Certified Proofreading & Editing Professional (CPEP): Offered by the American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM), this credential focuses on editing and proofreading standards, including various style guides.
  • Editors Canada: Professional Certification: This program, offered by Editors Canada, tests areas such as proofreading, copy editing, use of style guides, stylistic editing, and structural editing through formal exams that lead to recognized editing credentials. It is valuable for managing editors because it sets clear professional standards and signals advanced editing ability to employers and clients. Individuals who pass all four exams – Certified Proofreader, Certified Copy Editor, Certified Stylistic Editor, and Certified Structural Editor – are awarded the highest-level Certified Professional Editor (CPE) credential.
  • Editing Certificate (UChicago): The University of Chicago Graham School runs this program covering copyediting, style guides, and electronic tools. Managing editors gain practical know-how to lead projects and work with authors effectively.
  • CSE Publication Certificate: The Council of Science Editors awards this credential after completion of short courses and a research project. It equips managing editors in scholarly fields with skills for ethical publishing and team management.
  • Certificate in Copyediting (AMA): The American Marketing Association offers this beginner-friendly course on grammar and editing basics. New managing editors use it to build a strong foundation for content strategy and collaboration.