Contact Us

Office of Graduate Academic Services 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

Graduate Advising

At American University, academic advising is a collaborative and purposeful partnership among students, advisors, the School of Communication, and American University as a whole. We take into account our students' diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities so that we can help you identify and achieve your educational and professional goals.

As a student, you are responsible for and in charge of the decisions about your academic career. Being responsible for your education means that you understand your graduation requirements and adhere to our academic regulations, deadlines, and procedures. Your academic advisor will collaborate with you to develop a plan that reflects and achieves your personal goals to the greatest extent possible within the limits of university regulations and requirements.

Who We Are

Master's Programs:

Jean Kinnahan McGee, Senior Graduate Academic Advisor
Phone: (202) 885-2078
E-mail: jmcgee@american.edu

As the Senior Graduate Advisor, Jean McGee advises all of SOC's graduate students, full-time, part-time, online, and weekend.

Jean also advises Bachelor's/Master's students (with the exception of SPA) and Political Communication MA students with last names starting with L-Z.

Current students who wish to schedule an appointment with Jean, please reach out directly via e-mail.

Robert Briggs, Senior Academic Counselor
Phone: (202) 885-6204
E-mail: rbriggs@american.edu

Bob Briggs is the Academic Counselor to students in the MA programs within the Department of Government in the School of Public Affairs. Bob also advises SPA BA/MA students and Political Communication MA students students with last names starting with A-K.

Current students who wish to schedule an appointment with Bob, please reach out directly via e-mail.

Doctoral Program:

Jean also works closely with doctoral students. She helps doctoral students navigate the course selection process and oversees the electronic submission of dissertations providing guidance on distribution and embargo policy. She works closely with students and faculty to ensure that students meet academic policies and programs standards.

Resources

Program of Study Worksheets

MA in Film & Media Production (Full-Time)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 - 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:

Required SOC Courses:

COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-524: Producing for Documentary (3 credits)
OR

COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits): Spring 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2026
Non-thesis project must be completed with minimum “B” (3.00) required.
COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits): Spring 2027

COMM-691: Film & Media Arts Internship (3 credits): Spring 2027

COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits): Spring 2027

MA in Film & Media Production (Part-Time)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 - 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:

Required SOC Courses:

COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-651: Colloquium: The Story of Film (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-524: Producing for Documentary (3 credits): Spring 2026
OR
COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2027
Non-thesis project must be completed with minimum “B” (3.00) required.
COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits): Fall 2027

COMM-691: Professional Internship (3 credits): Fall 2027

COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits): Fall 2027

MFA in Film and Media Arts

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025 Subject to change as warranted.

The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:

Required Courses:

COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-663: Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits): Fall 2025
COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits): Spring 2026
Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits): Spring 2026
Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-701: Graduate Seminar in Film Theory & Practice (3 credits): Fall 2026
Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits): Fall 2025
Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits): Fall 2026
COMM-711: Teaching Seminar in Communication (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits): Fall 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2027
COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits): Spring 2028
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2028

MA in Game Design

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 – 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:

Required Courses:

GAME-601: Game Prototyping (3 credits): Fall 2025
GAME-605: Games, History, and Society (3 credits): Fall 2025
GAME-612 Digital Art Tools & Techniques (3 Credits): Fall 2025
COMM-610: Game Research Methods (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-615: Game Development (3 credits): Spring 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2026
GAME-620 Making Meaningful Games (3 credits): Fall 2026
GAME-625 Game Development II (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2026
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (6 credits): Spring 2027
9 credit hours in electives from varied programs. Students may design a focus with director and advisor approval.

MFA in Games and Interactive Media

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025-26. Subject to change as warranted.

The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:

Required Courses:

COMM-610: Principles of Film and Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
COMM-663: Techniques/Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required): Summer 2025
GAME-601: Game Prototyping (3 credits): Fall 2025
GAME-605: Games, History, and Society (3 credits): Fall 2025
Approved Elective (3 credits): Fall 2025
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2026
GAME-610: Game Research Methods (3 credits): Spring 2026
GAME-615: Game Development I (3 credits): Spring 2026
COMM-620: Making Meaningful Games (3 credits): Fall 2026
GAME-625: Game Development II (3 credits): Fall 2026
GAME-675: Writing for Interactivity (3 credits): Fall 2026
COMM-711: Teaching Seminar (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
Approved Elective (3 credits): Spring 2027
Additional required Courses:

COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone (6 credits )

GAME-691: Internship (6 credits)

MA in Journalism & Public Affairs

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 - 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 30 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 2025
COMM-724: Reporting of Public Affairs (Required for all tracks): Fall 2025
COMM-621: Community News Reporting (Required for all tracks): Fall 2025
COMM-601: Communication Law (Required for all tracks): Spring 2026

COMM-618: Data Driven Journalism: Spring 2026
COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism (Must earn “B” (3.0) or better): Summer 2025

Electives (12 credit hours-Choose 4 of the following)

COMM-509: Politics and the Media: Fall 2024
COMM-521: Opinion Writing: Fall 2024
COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence: Spring 2025
COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting: Spring 2025
COMM-617: Fundamentals of News Design: Spring 2025
COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Topics vary (approved topics only): Spring 2025
COMM-691: Graduate Internship (One 3 credit internship is allowed in the MA program): Spring 2025 or Summer 2025
COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling: Spring 2025
COMM-717: Longform Storytelling: Spring 2025

MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy (Full-time)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 – 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:

Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):

COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory: Fall 2025
COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods: Fall 2025
COMM-704: Media, Technology, and Democracy: Fall 2025
COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy: Spring 2026
COMM-755: Research Design in Communication: Summer 2026
COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research: Summer 2026

Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Approved Elective: Fall 2025
Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2026

MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy (Part-time)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 – 2026. Subject to change as warranted.

The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:

Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):

COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory: Fall 2025
COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods: Fall 2025
COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy: Spring 2026
COMM-755: Research Design in Communication: Summer 2026
COMM-704: Media, Technology, and Democracy: Fall 2026
COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research: Summer 2027

Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Fall 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2027
Approved Elective: Spring 2027

MA in Political Communication (Fall Admission)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. 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: Fall 2024 or Spring 2025
GOVT-643 Applied Political Writing (offered fall & spring): Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
COMM-628 or GOVT-628 Proseminar in Political Communication (1 credit): Fall 2025
COMM-639 Political Communication: Spring or Summer 2025
COMM 640 Principles of Strategic Communication: Fall 2024
COMM-735 Communication Theory: Spring 2025
COMM-738 Research for Strategic Communication: Fall 2024

Required Institutes (5 credits):

Select one of the 4 credit courses:

GOVT-520: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management: Spring 2025 Intersession or Summer 2025

GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying: Spring 2025 Intersession or Summer 2025

Select one of the 1 credit courses:

GOVT-521: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (rotating topics): Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

GOVT-524: Topics in Public Affairs/Advocacy (rotating topics): Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

Required Capstone (3 credits):

COMM-629 or GOVT-629 Capstone in Political Communication: Spring 2026

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: Offered summer only
COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication: Offered fall only
COMM-649: International Strategic Communication: Offered spring only

MA in Political Communication (Spring Admission)

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. 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: Sping 2025
GOVT-643 Applied Political Writing: Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
COMM-628 or GOVT-628 Proseminar in Political Communication (1 credit): Spring 2026
COMM-639 Political Communication: Summer or Fall 2025
COMM-640 Principles of Strategic Communication: Spring 2025
COMM-735 Communication Theory: Fall 2025
COMM-738 Research for Strategic Communication: Spring 2025

Required Institutes (5 credits):

Select one of the 4 credit courses:

GOVT-520: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management: Spring 2026 Intersession or Summer 2026

GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying: Spring 2026 Intersession or Summer 2026

Select one of the 1 credit courses:

GOVT-521: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (rotating topics): Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

GOVT-524: Topics in Public Affairs/Advocacy (rotating topics): Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

Required Capstone (3 credits):

COMM-629 or GOVT-629 Capstone in Political Communication (3 credits): Fall 2026

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: Offered summer only
COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication: Offered fall only
COMM-649: International Strategic Communication: Offered spring only

MA 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 2025- 2026. 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 2025
COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication: Fall 2025
COMM-735: Communication Theory: Fall 2025
COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication: Fall 2025
COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone: Spring 2026

Electives: 15 Credit Hours:

Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Summer 2026
Approved Elective: Summer 2026

MA 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 2025 - 2026. 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 2025
COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication: Fall 2025
COMM-735: Communication Theory: Fall 2026
COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication: Fall 2026
COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone: Spring 2027

Electives: 15 Credit Hours:

Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2026
Approved Elective: Summer 2026
Approved Elective: Summer 2026
Approved Elective: Spring 2027

Weekend MA in Journalism and Digital Storytelling

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.

NOTE: This program is currently on hiatus. No intake fall 2025

The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:

COMM-622: Writing/Editing for Convergent Media: Fall 2024
COMM-652: Web Studio: Fall 2024
COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling: Spring 2025
COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism: Spring 2025
COMM-601: Communication Law: Summer 2025
COMM-625: Innovation and the Media Industry: Summer 2025
COMM-719: The Past, Present, & Future of Longform Storytelling: Fall 2025
COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Storytelling with Audio: Fall 2025
COMM-618: Data-Driven Journalism: Spring 2026
COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism: Spring 2026

Weekend MA in Producing Film, Television and Video

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 – 2025. Subject to change as warranted.

NOTE: This program is currently on hiatus. No intake Fall 2025.

The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:

COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media: Fall 2024
COMM-660 Developing Fiction Productions: Fall 2024
COMM-661 Developing Nonfiction Productions: Spring 2025
COMM-601: Communication Law: Spring 2025
COMM-662: Production Planning and Management: Summer 2025
COMM-665: Film & TV Marketing Concepts and Strategies: Summer 2025
COMM-674: The Business of Television: Fall 2025
COMM-659: International Film and TV Markets: Fall 2025
COMM-671: Media Enterprise I: Establishing the Enterprise: Spring 2026
COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone: Spring 2026

PhD in Communication

Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2025 - 2026. 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 2025
COMM-750 Advanced Media Theory (3): Fall 2025
COMM-751 Advanced Media Research Methods (3): Fall 2025
COMM-754 Media Law and Policy (3): Spring 2026
COMM-711 Teaching Seminar (3): Spring 2026
Statistics or research methods course OR Elective (3): Spring 2026
COMM-755 Research Design in Communication (3): Summer 2026
COMM-860 Seminar in Doctoral Research (3): Fall 2026
Statistics or research methods course (3) and Elective (3) OR Approved Electives (6): Fall 2026
COMM-861 Advanced Research and Project Development (3): Spring 2027
COMM-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (6): Spring 2027
Qualifying Exams: Spring 2027
COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9): Fall 2027
COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9): Spring 2028

Schedules for Weekend Students

Fall 2024: SOC Weekend Programs

Fall 2024 Classes Begin — August 26
Labor Day — September 2
Thanksgiving — November 28

1st Session

September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
October 5
October 12

2nd Session

October 26
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30 — OFF Thanksgiving weekend
December 7 – Study Day
December 14
*May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.

Master's Programs:

Jean Kinnahan McGee, Senior Graduate Academic Advisor Phone: (202) 885-2078 E-mail: jmcgee@american.edu

Robert Briggs, Senior Academic Counselor Phone: (202) 885-6204 E-mail: rbriggs@american.edu

Doctoral Program:

Required SOC Courses:

Required SOC Courses:

Required Courses:

Required Courses:

Required Courses:

Additional required Courses:

COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone (6 credits )

Required SOC Courses (12 credit hours):

Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):

Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):

Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Required Core Courses (19 credit hours):

Required Institutes (5 credits):

Select one of the 4 credit courses:

Select one of the 1 credit courses:

Required Capstone (3 credits):

Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)

Required Core Courses (19 credit hours):

Required Institutes (5 credits):

Select one of the 4 credit courses:

Select one of the 1 credit courses:

Required Capstone (3 credits):

Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)

Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):

Electives: 15 Credit Hours:

Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):

Electives: 15 Credit Hours:

1st Session

2nd Session

Jean Kinnahan McGee, Senior Graduate Academic Advisor
Phone: (202) 885-2078
E-mail: jmcgee@american.edu

Robert Briggs, Senior Academic Counselor
Phone: (202) 885-6204
E-mail: rbriggs@american.edu