Political Communication: Leadership, Politics, and Social AdvocacyBS
Program starts in the fall. Review deadlines.
Learn to lead change as an effective advocate and storyteller. Emerson College’s Political Communication: Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy undergraduate program will teach you the communication skills and give you the hands-on experiences needed to launch your career in advocacy, policy, politics, and government.
At a Glance
- Immerse yourself in the world of government, politics, diplomacy, and advocacy, getting hands-on communications experience.
- Learn from faculty who are proven political strategists, successful advocates, and communication leaders.
- Work with nationally recognized Emerson College Polling on leading public opinion research and spend a semester interning in Washington, D.C. or studying internationally.
Lead with Purpose, Advocate for Change, and Turn Ideas into Influence
Courageous leaders know how to bring people together, inspire action, and create solutions. Emerson College’s Political Communication: Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy undergraduate program gives students the skills to work on political campaigns, advocate for causes, advise elected officials and nonprofit and business leaders, analyze public opinion, and build bridges across communities. You’ll explore how messages are crafted, campaigns are built, and public opinion is shaped, while developing the skills to navigate today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical and policy landscape.
Learn What Drives Successful Change
As a Political Communication: Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy student, you’ll learn in hands-on classes and immersive experiences tailored to your career goals. This includes working with Emerson College Polling, one of the nation’s most respected and accurate polling organizations, and engaging directly with candidates and campaigns during the Road to the White House semester.
You’ll also have the opportunity to pursue rewarding internships in the offices of local and state officials, and in the many leading advocacy, policy, and community organizations in Boston. Through the Emerson College DC Program, you can spend a semester interning and learning in our nation’s capitol. Throughout it all, you’ll build a robust communications portfolio and gain a network of contacts across politics, communications, government, and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to Emerson College Polling, you’ll get hands-on experience in politics, civic engagement, and advocacy through many of our student organizations, including the Communication, Politics and Law Association (CPLA), Forensics and Debate teams, and the student communication consultancy, Common Collective, that provides communications services to clients including Boston City Hall, Boston Public Schools, Harvard University, and the Red Cross.
Emerson College DC Program
Spend a semester in Washington, D.C., where your classroom extends into government agencies, nonprofits, media organizations, advocacy groups, and cultural institutions. You’ll gain hands-on experience and build professional connections in the city where ideas become action. The program also allows you to tap into Emerson’s expansive network of alumni serving in the nation’s capital.
Road to the White House Semester
Beginning with the primaries and leading into the Presidential election, you can choose to spend a semester with our Road to the White House courses, primary and general campaign experiences, Emerson College Polling, and internships with campaigns and political parties.
Barcelona: Emerson-Blanquerna Center for Global Communication
Study global communication and public relations in Barcelona through Emerson College’s exchange program with The University of Ramon Llull. You’ll visit with the founders of global communication and PR firms and leaders in international relations and politics. Every year, Emerson students help plan and produce the Emerson-Blanquerna Global Communication Summit alternating between Barcelona and Washington, DC.
Sydney: Global Communication and Leadership
Spend two weeks in Sydney, Australia, learning from international communication leaders. You’ll earn four credits during this intensive, faculty-led program, coming back to Emerson with brand-new perspectives on the ways effective communication and leadership work on an international scale. You’ll gain practical and technical understanding of international public and media relations, social media, branding, crisis communication, and more.
Mexico: Rosarito Public Diplomacy Workshop
Study public diplomacy and civic engagement in this three-week program in Rosarito, Mexico. You’ll meet with community leaders and organizations that have created impactful grassroots programs that bridge cultural differences between Mexico and the United States. You’ll study the context behind border and immigration issues, and understand the forces that are shaping those issues today.
Learn from Political Professionals
Our faculty have created and steered all types of campaigns, including those for presidential races, advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations.
Tour Emerson
Come see all Emerson has to offer. Learn about campus life and explore classrooms, residence halls, and creative spaces with our student ambassadors.
Apply to Emerson
If learning how to use communication to steer political issues, advocacy, and community engagement is for you, then apply to Emerson today.
Our Undergraduate Admission team is here to find the path that fits your goals, answer your questions, and prepare you for a career in the ever-evolving arts and communication industries. Learn more about applying to Emerson on our Application Process page.