The Publishing Training Centre at Book House (PTC) is a U.K.-based organization who "provides cost-effective and high quality training for publishers in the UK and overseas." They offer a course titled "Understanding Book Publishing" as well as other courses in grammar, proofreading and copy editing.
Based upon the book, "Inside Book Publishing" by Giles Clark and Angus Phillips, students are given access to the publishing course for 12 months, but it is estimated to take only 20 to 30 hours to complete.
Keep in mind that this is a British school, so the standards between publishing companies in the United Kingdom versus companies in America may vary.
Universal Class is an online education-technology company that allows educators from around the country to host classes in a wide variety of topics with the "aim to advance intellectual exchange in teaching, research and service by being affordable to all people of all cultures."
The course follows the inexpensive "Book Publishing 101," which takes you through 12 lessons at your own pace. Although geared toward aspiring writers who want to learn more about the publishing industry, there may be information to glean for non-writers with lesson plans such as "Literary Agents," "Big Publishing Houses," and "Small Publishers."
Many local colleges and universities offer online programs in a wide range of subjects.
Sometimes these are taught by college professors, but they may also be taught by local community members who have real-world experience. Keep your eyes open because the topics vary from year to year, depending on who is available to teach.
Degrees in publishing specifically are not very common and many in the publishing industry entered the field with degrees in other areas. Professions in business, English, communications and creative writing are valid areas of study for a career in publishing.
Check out other online programs. Full Sail University offers degrees in entertainment business (B.A. or M.A.) and creative writing (M.A.). The University of Phoenix offers courses for degrees in communications (A.A. or B.A.).
However, if you're serious about working in the publishing industry, your best bet is to devote a little time and energy to a non-online, accelerated program in publishing at a reputable school. These will look more impressive to prospective employers.
The City College of New York offers a four-course publishing certificate program, which has an great faculty comprised of publishing-industry professionals.
New York University's School of Continuing Education offers a five-course certificate program which offers a concentration in either book publishing, magazine publishing or electronic publishing.
The Journalism School at Columbia University offers an intensive six-week course, which has a distinguised line-up of guest speakers.
Because of their advantageous location in New York, these schools, and others like them, can offer access to major players in the publishing industry, something you won't find with any online program.