Be innovative creative ready bold engaged
here
Be at the forefront of media, technology and culture.
At USC Annenberg, we are preparing the most promising minds to inquire, innovate and lead at the threshold of a new communications and media landscape.
Our academic rigor positions us as an international leader in scholarship and education across the fields of communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to students’ intellectual growth and professional trajectories. And our network allows us to create opportunities for students to engage in original and exciting work across all of our degree programs.
We also offer state-of-the-art facilities, where scholarship and practice are enriched by sharing the same physical and intellectual space. Our home in the dynamic, complex, culturally diverse city of Los Angeles provides a fertile ground for our research and the perfect epicenter for critical conversations among scholars, industry leaders and cultural icons.
As a student at USC Annenberg, you will be trained to be a critical thinker and practitioner ready to be at the forefront of not only studying, researching and shaping the contemporary communication landscape, but also actively creating a more ethical and just world.
Willow Bay Dean, USC Annenberg
Walter H. Annenberg Chair in Communication
Thrive in academic programs alongside expert faculty who enable you to be creative, curious, and collaborative.
PhD
Communication (PhD)
Learn cutting-edge theory and research methodologies through rigorous classes and independent and collaborative research projects as you prepare for careers in academia, industry, government and NGOs.
Master’s
Communication Data Science (MS)
(with USC Viterbi School of Engineering)
Develop the skills to uniquely connect the communication, media and technology industries by applying communication theory to big data projects.
Communication Management (MCG)
Build a foundation in theory and applied research to design and execute effective communication strategies and tactics across a range of business functions.
Digital Social Media (MS)
Learn the theory, practice and strategic mindset that are essential for developing and managing social media platforms, digital media, apps and online communities.
Global Media and Communication (MA)
Examine the transformational role of communication and media in our globalizing world from two media capitals — London and Los Angeles — while earning master’s degrees from USC and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Journalism (MS)
Develop into a deadline-driven multimedia journalist producing cross-platform stories in a converged news environment.
Public Diplomacy (MPD)
Understand how governments and non-state actors use media and communication to shape public opinion, international relations and public diplomacy for domestic and global audiences.
Public Relations and Advertising (MA)
Prepare to advocate on behalf of a person, brand or organization by executing strategies informed by audience insights, and producing multiplatform storytelling grounded in ethical frameworks and data intelligence.
Specialized Journalism (MA)
Produce high-level, long-form reporting grounded in content-area expertise developed by taking courses across the university.
Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) (MA)
Learn to report on and magnify the arts, food and culture while building multimedia journalism skills.
Online Degree Programs
For information on online degree programs, including Communication Management (MCG), Digital Media Management (MS), and Public Relations Innovation, Strategy and Management (MS), visit: annenberg.usc.edu/academics.
Be engaged in our campus community and the dynamic city of Los Angeles.
Our community will engage and challenge you.
► Top scholars and practitioners who have won Emmys, Pulitzers, Silver Anvils and the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, among many other distinctions and accolades
► Graduate students with myriad academic backgrounds
► Professional staff in graduate academic advisement and career development
Our location in the city of Los Angeles will position you in one of the great media capitals of the world.
► A culturally diverse city as a laboratory for your scholarship and professional practice
► USC Annenberg’s location on the University Park Campus, minutes from downtown Los Angeles
► Access to scholars, industry leaders, and cultural icons
Our state-of-the-art facilities and technological capabilities will give you an edge.
► A media center that combines USC Annenberg’s student-run digital, television, radio and public relations operations
► The Digital Lounge, a creative makerspace where you can experiment with digital tools
► A rotating 360-degree studio for conducting and streaming live interviews
► Forum space to convene with experts from academe and industry
► Technologically enabled classrooms and student collaboration areas
Be invested in your future.
Academic Advisement
► Professional advising staff who help guide your unique pathway to academic success and professional growth
► Education experts who help you fulfill degree requirements while introducing you to the additional learning opportunities that will deepen your academic journey
Faculty Mentorship
► Renowned scholars and practitioners from across the communication, journalism and public relations landscape who share their deep expertise and critical guidance as you work toward your professional goals
Career Development
► One-on-one counseling with professional advisers
► Connections with the companies, organizations and industries that employ USC Annenberg graduates
► Exclusive job listings, job and internship fairs, networking events, corporate visits, “how-to” workshops, and alumni mentorship programs
Experiential Learning
► Career Treks that take you inside Los Angeles’ leading companies
► Spring Break Career Immersions that provide diverse perspectives and practical insights in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world
► Maymester programs that take you to cities across the country with thriving media ecosystems, connecting you with the leaders who are shaping today’s media, communication, and technology landscape
99% of 2023 graduates were employed within one year of graduation
3,000+ jobs and internships posted by USC Annenberg Career Development annually
27,000+ members of USC Annenberg’s global alumni network
Who we are
on-campus graduate students (Spring 2025)
States represented:
Arizona • California • Colorado • District of Columbia • Florida • Georgia • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • New Jersey • New York • Ohio • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • Washington
Our mission and vision:
Countries represented:
Australia
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Darussalam
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Costa Rica
Finland
France
Germany
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Italy, Japan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Luxembourg
Macao
Mexico
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Peru
Russian
Federation
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
At USC Annenberg, we believe advancing our core disciplines of communication, journalism, public relations and public diplomacy requires an embrace of the world’s complexity, attentiveness to all manners of difference, and respect for the dignity of every human being. Through collaboration and continuous growth, we strive to create an environment where individual voices are valued, diverse perspectives are considered and meaningful dialogue flourishes. This commitment supports a culture of inclusive excellence and transformative learning for our students, faculty and staff.
The University of Southern California admits students of any
Next steps
Review the degree-specific application requirements at: annenberg.usc.edu/ gradapply