MA in Media & Strategic Communication

Media & Strategic Communication

The M.A. in Media and Strategic Communication is geared toward aspiring media and political communication experts. The program blends analytical and applied skills, giving students a grounding in the function and influence of the media. As the most comprehensive strategic communication program in the heart of Washington, D.C., the degree prepares students to achieve advocacy goals in today's fast-paced media environment.  

Students learn to design, implement and support campaigns, develop messaging to target audiences and encourage action. With a variety of elective options available, students can focus their studies on sustainability, science, public health, peacebuilding or other public affairs issues. They perform analytics and data analysis and learn how to apply insights from media effects, public opinion and persuasion. They gain the knowledge to advance their careers in fields that include public and nonprofit management, government media relations, academia and public relations and communications consulting. 

Please contact Student Services Specialist Anna Camp with any questions at smpagradgwu [dot] edu (smpagrad[at]gwu[dot]edu).

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Tracks

In addition to the general M.A. degree, students have the option to focus on a Climate and Sustainability Communications track.

Regardless of which track is chosen, all students complete a total of 36 credits. Students enrolled full-time complete their degree in two academic years.

Climate and Sustainability Communication Track

Students in the Climate and Sustainability Communication track in the M.A. in Media and Strategic Communication learn the theory and practice of communicating about critical environmental issues. Students study both the basics and the process behind the science of climate and sustainability. This track is built on a foundation of analytical and applied skills. Students get a grounding in the function and influence of the media, and how to understand and create compelling advocacy campaigns – the why and the how of strategic communication. Interested students should declare their intention to complete the track by the end of their first semester in the program by notifying the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students in the Sustainability and Climate Communication track will focus their coursework on sustainability and climate communication, in addition to taking electives on the science and policy of this critical field. Elective courses for this track include:

1. SMPA 6280: Environmental and Science Communication 
    
2. One elective about the science of climate and environmental change (one course selected from the following or similar course selected in consultation with DGS); this elective can be substituted with another approved elective if demonstrated competency in science or environment (for example, undergraduate major or minor in Environmental Science, etc.) as approved by the DGS. 
   
   PPPA 6101 Environmental Sciences I: Physical Sciences 
   PPPA 6102 Environmental Sciences II: Life Sciences 
   GEOG 6218 Arctic Systems 
   GEOG 6220 Seminar: Climatic Change
    
3. Two elective courses selected from the following (or another course as approved by the DGS). 
   
   GEOG 6232 Migration and Development 
   GEOG 6243 Seminar: Urban Geography 
   GEOG 6244 Urban Sustainability 
   PHL 6281 Environmental Philosophy and Policy (available in Spring 2025) 
   PPPA 6140 Introduction to Environmental Law 
   PPPA 6066 U.S. Environmental Policy
   IAFF 6151 Environmental Policy 
   IAFF 6153 Science, Technology, and National Security 
   LAW 6461-11: Selected Topics in Environmental Law - Comparative Environmental Law and Policy: Legal Frameworks Across the Globe  
   
   Note that the final capstone should be focused on an area of climate and sustainability communication.

Course Requirements

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"The world-class faculty at SMPA were instrumental in providing me the tools, skills and support needed to conduct high-quality research on topics I found interesting. SMPA also provided me the opportunity to work with scholars from other major research universities and to present my research at academic conferences in Seattle, Washington and Paris, France. I am thankful that SMPA opened the door to a career in academia for me - something that I never thought was possible before."

Lorcan Neil
MA '22, Media and Strategic Communication

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