Our Programs

SMPA student holding a video camera, filming something

Undergraduate Programs

Students can apply to major in either Journalism and Mass Communication or Political Communication. Both programs offer a critical mix of theory and practice to understand the rapidly evolving media environment. We also offer a minor in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Graduate student taking notes in classroom

Graduate Programs

Our graduate programs prepare students for the evolving communications landscape with a combination of core courses in theory and media skills. Students develop a tailored foundation for careers in advocacy, government, media relations, public opinion, journalism or academia.

Andrew Desiderio

Andrew Desiderio

Class of 2017
Major: Journalism & Mass Communication

I knew I wanted to be a reporter and I thought the best place to cover politics would be at a school that teaches it in the intersection of media and government. 

Institute for Data, Democracy, and Politics

SMPA's new interdisciplinary research institute will fight digital disinformation at a critical time with the support of a $5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

 

LEARN MORE

 

Our Headlines

Samantha Cookinham outside the New York Times Building

Class Assignment: Work with The New York Times


When I enrolled in the Audience Development course, I never imagined that I would spend the semester working with The New York Times to launch a new section.

Samantha Cookinham
B.A. '20, Journalism and Mass Communication

Students at Friday Fun Workshops

SMPA Inaugural Friday Fun Workshops

September 14, 2019
SMPA has launched Friday Fun A/V Workshops for the Fall 2019 semester. The workshops are free for undergraduates and graduate students and provide opportunities to learn and practice fundamental camera and Adobe Creative Cloud techniques outside of courses. 
Student in front of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

A Dream Come True: Learning in Paris

August 02, 2019
While in Paris I embarked on a journey of a lifetime and was amazed that I was able to visit all the places I had dreamed of while learning from an extraordinary number of guest speakers from around the world.
Terker Distinguished Fellows Karen Finney and Steve Scully

SMPA Welcomes Two Terker Distinguished Fellows

August 31, 2019
Karen Finney, an independent political consultant, and Steve Scully, a Senior Executive Producer at C-SPAN join the School of Media and Public Affairs as the 2019-20 Terker Distinguished Fellows.
New SMPA Faculty; Barbara Benitez-Curry and Rebekah K. Tromble

Journalist and Political Media Researcher Join SMPA Faculty

August 24, 2019
SMPA is pleased to announce the addition of two new faculty members who will expand opportunities for students to gain critical skills in journalism and digital media; Barbara Benitez-Curry and Rebekah K. Tromble.  

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