Overview
Expansions and Renovations Contribute to the Reputation of American University School of Communication
Located in Washington, D.C., American University (AU) School of Communication (SOC) offers degree-granting programs to undergraduate and graduate students in fields related to journalism, public communication, film and media arts, and international media. AU School of Communication serves approximately 900 undergraduate and 300 graduate students and has approximately 45 full-time faculty positions. As communication becomes more prevalent and relevant in twenty-first century society, SOC continues to grow. The school is undergoing a $20 million renovation project to its main building, and other expansions are taking place across American University. These improvements build on the reputation that SOC enjoys as a top institution for the study of communication-related fields.
SOC's Quality is Underscored by Its National Rankings and Faculty and Alumni Achievements
The high reputation enjoyed by AU School of Communication is evidenced by the awards and rankings the school has received. In 2008, for example, "Princeton Review" named SOC one of the 25 Best Schools in the nation at which to study journalism. The school's film programs have received similar accolades; the "Hollywood Reporter" named SOC as one of the country's Top 12 Film Programs. In addition to high rankings, the achievements of SOC alumni speak to the school's quality. SOC alumni won the Student Academy Award and Student Emmy for M.F.A. thesis projects in both 2008 and 2009. The school's faculty members are also accomplished practicing professionals who have won Oscars, Emmys, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Washington, D.C., Is One of the World's Media Capitals, an Advantage for SOC Students
One of the primary distinctions of AU School of Communication is its Washington, D.C., location. The school prides itself on being located in one of the media capitals of the world. Each of SOC's programs of study are designed to take full advantage of the city, and accordingly focus on public affairs and public service. Nationally recognized journalists, filmmakers, and public relations executives working in D.C. regularly serve as guest lecturers and adjunct professors at the school. SOC takes advantage of urban Washington, D.C. while being located in a residential area of the city. The campus itself is home to a large number of trees and has been declared an arboretum.
Cultural Institutions and International Media Organizations Surround the SOC Campus
In addition to being a center of media and government, Washington, D.C., has a rich cultural heritage. It is home to the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Library of Congress. Access to these resources and strategic partnerships with leading local organizations has helped SOC students supplement their education. There are many professional and internship opportunities available to SOC students; students have worked at international media organizations, including Discovery Communications, "National Geographic," "USA Today," and washingtonpost.com, while attending school.
SOC Offers Four Full-Time Master of Arts Programs in Communication
AU School of Communication offers a wide variety of full-time master's degree programs. The Master of Arts in journalism and public affairs is a year-long, intensive, full-time program with tracks in broadcast and print journalism and concentrations in economic, international, and public policy journalism. SOC also offers an M.A. in public communication, which allows students to concentrate in arts, government, political, and public interest communication, as well as international public communication. Concentrations in the M.A. in film and video, include film and video production, screenwriting, multimedia, and film history, theory, and criticism. Finally, the graduate program in international media is offered in collaboration with the AU's world renowned School of International Service. This program results in an M.A. degree and offers a combination of theory, research, and professional production skills to provide students with a global media advantage.
An M.F.A. Degree From SOC Can Lead to Collegiate-Level Teaching Positions
In addition to its four Master of Arts programs, AU School of Communication offers a Master of Fine Arts program in film and electronic media. The M.F.A. degree is a terminal degree, and upon completion of this program, SOC graduates are equipped to pursue collegiate-level teaching careers, along with a number of other career options. Alumni of SOC's M.F.A. program won the Student Academy Award and Student Emmy for their thesis projects in both 2008 and 2009.
Part-Time and Weekend Master's Programs Cater to the Schedules of Working Professionals
For students who are interested in obtaining degrees on a more flexible schedule, a number of part-time and cohort-based weekend program study options are also available at SOC. Graduate programs in film and video, film and electronic media, and public communication (weekday program) may be attended on a full-time or part-time basis. Cohort based, twenty-month, weekend programs of study include interactive journalism, public communication, and producing for film and video. SOC's weekend programs are designed for working professionals who wish to change or improve their careers by furthering their education. Applicants to SOC's weekend programs must have at least three years of full-time, post bachelor's work experience at the time of application; a background in communication is not necessary. GRE scores are not required for weekend program applicants.
