Investigate. Innovate. Inform. Now is the time, SOC is the place.
Here in the nation's capital — where local news is national, or even international — our students have unprecedented opportunities to report on the top issues of the day while working side by side with professional media outlets. Award-winning faculty come to campus to teach from The Washington Post, Bloomberg BNA, Gannett, USA TODAY, The Atlantic, NBC, ABC and NPR. Our state-of-the-art studios and equipment will give you professional reporting experience. The Media Innovation Lab features an HD television studio and broadcast newsroom.
Inside the Trump Presidency
What's it like to cover the White House in one of the most dynamic periods of American journalism?
Degrees & Programs
MA in Journalism & Public Affairs
Focus your career in investigative, broadcast, or international journalism.
MA in Journalism & Digital Storytelling
Take your career to the next level by learning new ways to share stories and create impact with technology.
BA in Journalism
Start your career with an impressive multimedia portfolio and a strong skillset in writing and reporting.
Bringing Emmy-Winning News to Nashville
Briona Arradondo, SOC/MA '11
At first, I was in disbelief, then shock and awe since it was my first Emmy win.
Arrandondo currently files reports for WSMV early evening newscasts and occasionally fills in on the anchor desk for their morning and noon newscasts. She previously worked as a reporter at WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, TN and also worked as a weekend anchor and reporter at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH.
Our Network
Over the past year, SOC has hosted top journalists including:
- Former Univision anchor Maria Elena Salinas
- Washington Post Editor Martin Baron
- CNN's Jake Tapper
- ABC News Senior White House Correspondent and SOC alumna Cecilia Vega
- NBC White House correspondent Kristen Welker
- Washington Post White House reporter and SOC MA alumna Seung Min Kim
- We embed students on the Washington Post investigative team where they work alongside professionals, contributing to in-depth, published projects.
- We leverage our long-standing relationships with NPR, NBC, CNN, CBS, Vox, National Geographic, Bloomberg BNA, USA TODAY and many more to provide you with exceptional internship, fellowship and career opportunities.
Recent News
The latest on our students, alumni, professors and programs. Want more? Sign up for our newsletter.
Communications
Journalism Students Cover the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria
Professor Terry Bryant took eight of his journalism students to Puerto Rico to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Communications
SOC Alumna Susan Zirinsky Named President of CBS News
Zirinsky, who received her BA in journalism at AU School of Communication, will be the first woman to lead CBS News.
Announcement
American University Professor Launches National Effort to Train Aspiring Black Journalists
SOC Professor Sherri Williams has teamed with The Nation to launch "Black On Campus" to train the next generation of black journalists.
Communications
American Forum Engages Students around Midterm Elections
Students in professor Jane Hall’s Advanced Reporting class conducted interviews with students from DC-area colleges about the midterm elections.