Our 32-credit Political Communication (MA) is incredibly versatile—complete it part-time or full-time, in one to three years. Housed in the School of Communication, the program offers courses primarily in the evening, allowing working professionals to attend and leaving time for students to participate in internship and networking opportunities.
Advanced Standing for Working Professionals
Professionals with 2+ years of related experience waive four credits from the core course CC 645 Research Methods. Advanced standing allows you to graduate sooner and decreases the cost of tuition.
If you are granted advanced standing, you must complete the remaining 28 credits at Emerson College to satisfy degree requirements. Advanced standing credit advances your position within the program, but credits are not granted or transferable to another institution.
Courses
Core Requirements (20 credits)
| Number | Course | Modality | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
CC 652 CC 621 | Emerging Communication Technology or Online Content Strategy | Online | 4 |
CC 645 CC 640 DC 608 | Research Methods & Practice or User Experience Design or Digital Analytics | In Person/Online | 4 |
| CC 609 | Political Communication | In Person | 4 |
| CC 651 | Propaganda, Persuasion & Speechwriting | In Person | 4 |
| CC 692 | Capstone | In Person | 4 |
*CC 699 Thesis Option requires 8 credits; total of core is increased to 20 credits.
Elective Courses (12 credits)
| Number | Course | Modality | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC 623 | Public Diplomacy | Available Online in Fall Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 624 | Campaign Management | Available Online in Fall Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 626 | Crisis Communication | In Person | 4 |
| CC 636 | Negotiation and Group Process | In Person | 4 |
| CC 643 | Global Communication | In Person | 4 |
| CC 604 | Strategic Planning and the Managerial Process | In Person | 4 |
| CC 621 | Content Development & Strategy | In Person | 4 |
| CC 628 | Entrepreneurship and Creative Problem Solving | In Person | 4 |
| CC 632 | Sports as Soft Power | In Person | 4 |
| CC 633 | Sports, Culture and Society | In Person | 4 |
| CC 640 | User Experience Design | Available Online in Summer Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 655 | Project Management and Communication | In Person | 4 |
| CC 690 | Internship in PR | In Person | 4 |
| CC 695 | Seminar in PR | In Person | 4 |
| CC 697 | Directed Study | In Person | 4 |
Sample Curriculum Map
Our Political Communication MA program can be completed full-time in two years or part-time in two-and-a-half to three years. This sample curriculum map is designed to give you an idea of your course load as a full-time student over two years. For full course information, review our course catalog.
Full-time Sample Curriculum Map (September-May)
Fall Semester 1 (8 credits)
- Elective Course: CC 608 Public Affairs
- Core Course: CC 609 Political Communication
Spring Semester 1 (12 credits)
- Core Course: CC 645 Research Methods & Practice
- Core Course: CC 651 Speech Writing, Persuasion, & Propaganda
- Elective Course: CC 623 Public Diplomacy
Fall Semester 2 (8 credits)
- Core Course: CC 652 Emerging Communication Technology
- Elective Course: CC 624 Campaign Management
Spring Semester 2 (8 credits)
- Core Course: CC 692 Capstone
- Elective Course: CC 626 Crisis Communication