Public Diplomacy (MPD)

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The Master of Public Diplomacy combines the resources of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’ School of International Relations. This program is designed for students who already have a substantial undergraduate background in social sciences or relevant professional experience in subjects such as communications, film and media studies, journalism, political science, public relations and international relations. Students in the program may decide to emphasize public diplomacy training most appropriate for a career in public service, the corporate world or in a nongovernmental organization (NGO) working in the ever-expanding global civil society. USC is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).

Requirements for the completion of this degree program are 49 units, including the required substantive paper or alternative project. The course requirements are as follows:

Public Diplomacy Requirements (12 Units)

PUBD 502 Historical and Comparative Approaches to Public Diplomacy Units: 4
PUBD 504 Global Issues and Public Diplomacy Units: 4
PUBD 596 Practicum in Public Diplomacy Research Units: 4

Public Diplomacy Toolbox Courses (12 Units)

Any three approved PUBD courses

Internship (1 Unit)

IR 591 Field Study Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Communication And International Relations Electives (16 Units)

Any two approved IR courses Units: 8
Any two approved COMM or CMGT courses Units: 8

Other Electives (COGNATE, COMM, CMGT, IR) (8 Units)

These units may be taken from the School of Communication, School of International Relations or any graduate program at USC. Courses must be approved by the Public Diplomacy program director.