About the Undergraduate Political Communication Major
As politics shape society’s present and future, strategic communication professionals are needed to address the challenges of governmental, political, and advocacy organizations. Emerson College’s undergraduate Political Communication BS program immerses you in the art of politics from the first day of class, providing an unparalleled foundation for analyzing the ever-changing political mosaic.
Housed in the Department of Communication Studies in the School of Communication, the program provides you with the opportunity to interact with voters and candidates through experiential learning classes during Presidential and midterm election campaigns. Acclaimed academics and proven professionals who have run presidential, state, and local political and advocacy campaigns will prepare you to become speechwriters, campaign strategists, nonprofit leaders, and more.
...Through the professors and alumni, I have gotten the chance to work on campaigns and network with people currently working in all different parts of the political world. I have gained a special communicating skill that will forever help me communicate and advocate for marginalized communities….The program provides a holistic approach that has helped me develop a strong sense of what my life will look like after Emerson.
Real-World Experience as a Communicator in the World of Politics
Political Communication majors have ample opportunity to gain real-world learning experience. Here are a few examples:
- Students interested in polling can participate in Emerson Polling, a co-curricular organization that has been recognized by Bloomberg and FiveThirtyEight for its accuracy and reliability.
- Emerson’s Washington, DC, program offers the opportunity to spend a fall semester in the nation’s capital taking courses and fulfilling an internship.
- Globally, our students engage in award-winning diplomacy and civic engagement work through programs such as the Rosarito Mexico Immigration and Border Workshop and the Sydney Global PR and Politics Program.
- Students who want to learn more about European politics and international relations can attend our sister college in Barcelona, the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations.
Careers for Political Communication Majors
Political Communication graduates have won and run political offices, and created and implemented advocacy campaigns using new media. They have advanced worldwide polling; drafted legislation; and established bridges between cultures through diplomacy, NGOs, and government agencies. Examples of careers include:
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Legislative Aide
- Political Journalist
- Press Secretary
Notable Political Communication Alumni
- Alyse Nelson, President and CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership
- Emily Quinn, Communications Coordinator, City of Boston
- Aaron Snipe, Senior Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State
- Shannon Felton Spence, Director of Global Communications and Strategy, Belfer Center, Harvard University
...Studying Political Communication at Emerson College has allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills both academically and professionally. While in the classroom, I get to learn from professors with diverse backgrounds in their respective fields [who] help me learn the different concepts of rhetoric in the political realm. At the same time, working for the chair of Communication Studies teaches me hands-on [lessons] in my field of interest that I won't learn in a classroom setting.
