Contact Us
McKinley Building, Room 111 on a map
Office of Graduate Academic Services 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesProgram of Study Worksheets
M.A. in Film & Media Production (6 credits per semester)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2020 - 2021. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses:
- COMM-602: Digital Media Literacy Skills (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2022
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
OR
- COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
OR
- COMM-691: Internship
- Fall 2022
M.A. in Film & Media Production (9 credits per semester)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2020 - 2021. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses:
- COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-602: Digital Media Literacy Skills (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2021
- COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2021
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2021
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
OR
- COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
OR
- COMM-691: Film & Media Arts Internship (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
M.F.A. in Film and Media Arts
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2020 - 2021 Subject to change as warranted.
The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- COMM-602: Digital Media Literacy Skills (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-663: Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media (3 credits)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2021
- COMM-613: Producing Film & Video (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-701: Graduate Seminar in Film Theory & Practice (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-711: Teaching Seminar in Communication (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- Elective from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- Elective from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
- Electives from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
- COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Spring 2023
- Elective from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2023
M.A. in Game Design
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 – 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- GAME-601: Game Prototyping (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- GAME-605: Games, History, and Society (3 credits)
- Fall 2021
- GAME-612 Digital Art Tools & Techniques (3 Credits)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-610: Game Research Methods (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- COMM-615: Game Development (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2022
- GAME-620 Making Meaningful Games (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
- GAME-625 Advanced Game Development (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2023
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (6 credits)
- Spring 2023
- 9 credit hours in electives from varied programs. Students may design a focus with director and advisor approval.
M.F.A. in Games and Interactive Media
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2020 - 2021) Subject to change as warranted.
The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- COMM-602: Digital Media Literacy and Skills (3)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-663: Techniques/Aesthetics of Editing (3)
- Summer 2020
- GAME 601: Game Prototyping (3)
- Fall 2020
- GAME 605: Games, History, and Society (3)
- Fall 2020
- Approved Elective (3)
- Fall 2020
- GAME 610: Game Research Methods (3)
- Spring 2021
- GAME 615: Game Development I (3)
- Spring 2021
- COMM 610: Principles of Film and Video Production (3)
- Spring 2021
- COMM 620: Writing for Interactivity (3)
- Fall 2021
- GAME 625: Game Development II (3)
- Fall 2021
- GAME 620: Making Meaningful Games (3)
- Fall 2021
- COMM 711: Teaching Seminar (3)
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective (6)
- Spring 2022
-
additional Required Courses: - COMM 702: Masters Portfolio Capstone (6)
- GAME 691: Internship (6)
M.A. in Journalism & Public Affairs
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2020 - 2021) Subject to change as warranted.
The 33 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses (12 credit hours):
- COMM-624: Boot Camp for Journalists (Required for all tracks. Must earn "B" (3.0) or better.)
- Summer 2020
- COMM-724: Reporting of Public Affairs (Required for all tracks.)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-621: Community News Reporting (Required for all tracks.)
- Fall 2020
- COMM-601: Communication Law (Required for all tracks.)
- Spring 2021
Specialities-Choose either Investigative, International, or Broadcast
Investigative Journalism Speciality (9 credit hours)
- COMM-500: Investigative Journalism Practicum
- Fall 2020 or Spring 2021
- COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
- Fall 2020
- COMM-618: Data Driven Journalism
- Fall 2020
- COMM-619: In-Depth Journalism
- Spring 2021
International Journalism Speciality (9 credit hours)
- COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
- Fall 2020
- COMM-620: Reporting on Immigration
- Fall 2020
- COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence
- Spring 2021
- COMM-643: Foreign Policy and the Press
- Spring 2021
Broadcast Journalism Speciality (9 credit hours)
- COMM-721: Digital Audio Production
- Fall 2020
- COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism
- Spring 2021
- COMM-722 Advanced Television and Video Production
- Spring 2021
Capstone (3 credit hours-Choose 1 of the following)
- COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism (Must earn “B” (3.0) or better)
- Summer 2021
- COMM-725: In-Depth Broadcast Production Capstone (Must earn “B” (3.0) or better)
- Summer 2021
Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)
- COMM-509: Politics and the Media
- Fall 2020
- COMM-521: Opinion Writing
- Fall 2020
- COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence
- Spring 2021
- COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting
- Spring 2021
- COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Investigative Broadcast Journalism
- Fall 2020 or Spring 2021
- COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Podcasting
- Summer 2021
- COMM-622: Writing for Convergent Media
- Fall 2020
- COMM-625: Innovation & Media Industry
- Summer 2021
- COMM-691: Graduate Internship (One 3 credit internship is allowed in the MA program)
- Spring 2021 or Summer 2021
- COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling
- Spring 2021
M.A. in Political Communication
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 - 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required Core Courses (19 credit hours):
- GOVT-620 Applied Politics and Public Policy (offered fall semester only)
- Fall 2021
- GOVT-643 Applied Political Writing (offered fall & spring)
- Spring 2022 or Fall 2022
- COMM-628 or GOVT-628 Proseminar in Political Communication (1 credit) (to be taken 2nd fall semester)
- Fall 2022
- COMM-639 Political Communication (offered spring or summer)
- Spring or Summer 2022
- COMM 640 Principles of Strategic Communication (to be taken 1st fall semester)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-735 Communication Theory (to be taken 1st spring semester)
- Spring 2022
- COMM-738 Research for Strategic Communication (to be taken 1st fall semester)
- Fall 2021
Required Institutes (5 credits):
Select one of the 4 credit courses:
- GOVT-520: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (4 credits)
- Spring or Summer 2022
OR
- GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying (4 credits)
- Spring or Summer 2022
Select one of the 1 credit courses:
- GOVT-521: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (1 credit) (rotating topics)
- Spring 2022 or Fall 2022
OR
- GOVT-524: Topics in Public Affairs/Advocacy (1 credit) (rotating topics)
- Fall 2021 or Spring 2022
Required Capstone (3 credits):
- COMM-629 or GOVT-629 Capstone in Political Communication (3 credits) (offered spring only)
- Spring 2023
Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)
Government:
- GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying: European Affairs & Advocacy Institute
- Offered summer only in Brussels.
- GOVT-644: Political Speechwriting
- GOVT-651: The Legislative Process
- Offered spring only
- GOVT-652 The Presidency and the Executive Branch
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-656: Voting Behavior, Elections, and Campaigns
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-682: Women and Politics
- GOVT-683: Women, Politics and Public Policy
- COMM-684: Women and Political Leadership
- GOVT-685: Topics in Women and Politics (offered fall or spring)
Communication:
- COMM-509: Politics and the Media
- Offered fall only
- COMM-521: Opinion Writing
- Offered spring only
- COMM-533: Ethics in Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-539: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-540: Social Marketing for Social Impact
- Offered spring only
- COMM-542: Media Relations
- Offered fall only
- COMM-543: Speechwriting
- Offered spring only
- COMM-551: Grassroots Digital Advocacy
- Offered spring only
- COMM-567: Communication and Social Change
- Offered fall only
- COMM-608: Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-641: Crisis Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-642: Strategic Communication Management
- COMM-643 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-649: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
M.A. in Strategic Communication (Full-time)
Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in at least two of these three courses: Principles of Strategic Communication (COMM-640), Communication Theory (COMM-735), and/or Research for Strategic Communication (COMM-738)
Degree requirements effective as of Academic Year 2021- 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):
- COMM-640: Principles of Strategic Communication
- Fall 2021
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2021
- COMM-735: Communication Theory
- Fall 2021
- COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2021
- COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone
- Spring 2022
Electives: 15 Credit Hours:
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2022
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2022
M.A. in Strategic Communication (Part-time)
Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in at least two of these three courses: Principles of Strategic Communication (COMM-640), Communication Theory (COMM-735), and/or Research for Strategic Communication (COMM-738).
Degree requirements effective as of Academic Year 2021 - 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):
- COMM-640: Principles of Strategic Communication
- Fall 2021
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2021
- COMM-735: Communication Theory
- Fall 2022
- COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2022
- COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone
- Spring 2023
Electives: 15 Credit Hours:
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2022
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2023
M.A. in Media, Technology and Democracy (Full-time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 – 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (21 Credit Hours):
- COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory
- Fall 2021
- COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods
- Fall 2021
- COMM-704: Media, Technology and Democracy
- Fall 2021
- COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy
- Spring 2022
- COMM-756: Media, Technology, and Democracy Practicum
- Spring 2022
- COMM-755: Research Design in Communication
- Summer 2022
- COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research
- Summer 2022
Electives (9 Credit Hours)
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2021
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
M.A. in Media, Technology and Democracy (Part-time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 – 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (21 Credit Hours):
- COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory
- Fall 2021
- COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods
- Fall 2021
- COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy
- Spring 2022
- COMM-755: Research Design in Communication
- Summer 2022
- COMM-704: Media, Technology and Democracy
- Fall 2022
- COMM-756: Media, Technology, and Democracy Practicum
- Spring 2023
- COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research
- Summer 2023
Electives (9 Credit Hours)
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2022
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2022
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2023
Weekend M.A. in Journalism and Digital Storytelling
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 - 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
- COMM-622: Writing/Editing for Convergent Media
- Fall 2021
- COMM-652: Web Studio
- Fall 2021
- COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling
- Spring 2022
- COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism
- Spring 2022
- COMM-601: Communication Law
- Summer 2022
- COMM-625: Innovation and the Media Industry
- Summer 2022
- COMM-719: The Past, Present, & Future of Longform Storytelling
- Fall 2022
- COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Storytelling with Audio
- Fall 2022
- COMM-618: Data-Driven Journalism
- Spring 2023
- COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism
- Spring 2023
Weekend M.A. in Producing Film, Television and Video
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 – 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses (12 credit hours):
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media
- Fall 2021
- COMM-660 Developing Fiction Productions
- Fall 2021
- COMM-661 Developing Nonfiction Productions
- Spring 2022
- COMM-601: Communication Law
- Spring 2022
- COMM-662: Production Planning and Management
- Summer 2022
- COMM-570: Marketing Campaigns & Strategy for TV & Film
- Summer 2022
- COMM-674: The Business of Television
- Fall 2022
- COMM-659: International Film and TV Markets
- Fall 2022
- COMM-671: Media Enterprise I: Establishing the Enterprise
- Spring 2023
- COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone
- Spring 2023
PhD in Communication
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2021 - 2022. Subject to change as warranted.
The 33 credit hours, of coursework, exclusive of COMM-898/COMM-899 must include:
- COMM-704 Media, Technology, and Democracy (3)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-750 Advanced Media Theory (3)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-751 Advanced Media Research Methods (3)
- Fall 2021
- COMM-754 Media Law and Policy (3)
- Spring 2022
- COMM-711 Teaching Seminar (3)
- Spring 2022
- Statistics or research methods course (3)
- Spring 2022
- COMM-755 Research Design in Communication (3)
- Summer 2022
- COMM-860 Seminar in Doctoral Teaching and Research (3)
- Fall 2022
- Concentration coursework (6)
- Fall 2022
- COMM-861 Advanced Research and Project Development (3)
- Spring 2023
- COMM-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (6)
- Spring 2023
- COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
- Fall 2023
- COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
- Spring 2024
Schedules for Weekend Students
Fall 2020: SOC Weekend Programs
- Classes Begin — August 24
- Labor Day — September 7
- Break in Sessons — October 24
- Thanksgiving — November 26
1st Session
- August 29
- September 12
- September 19
- September 26 — Work day*
- October 3
- October 10
- October 17
2nd Session
- October 31
- November 7
- November 14
- November 21
- November 28 — OFF Thanksgiving*
- December 5
- December 12
- *May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.
Spring 2021: SOC Weekend Programs
- Classes Begin - January 11
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 18
- Spring Break - March 7-14
- Commencement - May 8 & 9
1st Session
- January 23
- January 30
- February 6
- February 13 - Work Day*
- February 20
- February 27
- March 6
2nd Session
- March 20
- March 27
- April 3 - Work Day* (Easter weekend)
- April 10
- April 17
- April 24
- May 1
*May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.