American University School of Communication
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| American University School of Communication | |
|---|---|
| Name | American University School of Communication |
| Established | 1938 |
| Type | Private |
| Parent | American University |
| City | Washington, D.C. |
| Country | United States |
American University School of Communication is a professional school within American University located in Washington, D.C., offering undergraduate and graduate programs in media, journalism, public communication, and film. The school emphasizes experiential learning, professional internships, and connections with major institutions in Washington such as White House, United States Congress, National Press Club, Smithsonian Institution, and World Bank. Its graduates frequently enter careers at organizations including The Washington Post, CNN, NBC News, ABC News, and The New York Times.
History
The school traces roots to early 20th-century programs at American University and formally organized in the mid-20th century alongside expansions in Columbia University-era journalism training and postwar broadcasting growth influenced by entities like Federal Communications Commission and NAB Show. During the 1960s and 1970s the school deepened ties with Washington institutions such as Pew Research Center, Rand Corporation, and Brookings Institution while alumni covered major events including the Watergate scandal, Iran hostage crisis, and Fall of the Berlin Wall. The curriculum evolved through influences from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, Peabody Awards standards in broadcasting, and film trends associated with festivals like Sundance Film Festival.
Academic programs
Programs include majors and degrees that align with professional fields represented by organizations such as Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Radio Television Digital News Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. Undergraduate offerings encompass studies related to journalism, strategic communication, film production, and communication studies with internship pipelines to outlets like Politico, Bloomberg L.P., ProPublica, and NPR. Graduate curricula offer master's and doctoral degrees with concentrations linked to practicum sites including United Nations, International Monetary Fund, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and newsrooms such as Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Specialized certificates tie into professional networks like Public Relations Society of America and events hosted by TED and SXSW.
Research and centers
The school houses research centers that collaborate with policy and media institutions such as Annenberg Public Policy Center, Pew Research Center, Media Education Foundation, and Knight Foundation. Projects examine topics addressed by reports from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, analyses by Freedom House, and case studies like Pentagon Papers reporting. Faculty-led labs conduct studies using data sources from Pew Research Center, archives from Library of Congress, and datasets curated by Harvard Kennedy School scholars. Grant partnerships have involved foundations like Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ford Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation.
Faculty and notable alumni
Faculty have included scholars and practitioners who previously worked at or with institutions such as The Washington Post, The New Yorker, CBS News, Foreign Affairs, and Variety. Visiting professors and lecturers have had affiliations with Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Stanford University, Yale University, and University of Southern California. Alumni have taken prominent roles at media and policy organizations including CNN, NBC News, Fox News, The New York Times', and in government positions within U.S. Department of State, and consultancies like McKinsey & Company and Booz Allen Hamilton. Notable graduates have been recognized by awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Emmy Awards, George Polk Awards, and Tony Awards for work spanning reporting, documentary filmmaking, and strategic communication.
Student life and organizations
Student organizations connect members to professional associations including Society of Professional Journalists, Public Relations Society of America, Broadcast Education Association, and National Association of Broadcasters. Activity calendars feature guest lectures by figures from The Atlantic, Vox Media, Time (magazine), and Axios, and networking events with recruiters from Google, Meta Platforms, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft. Student media and clubs produce content that competes at festivals and contests like College Broadcasters, Inc. competitions, College Television Awards, and campus screenings at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.
Facilities and media outlets
Facilities include broadcast studios, editing suites, and screening rooms comparable to professional environments used by BBC Studios, NPR Music, and HBO Documentary Films. On-campus outlets and platforms operate similarly to major outlets such as C-SPAN, PBS, VICE Media, and The Guardian US and include student-run television, radio, podcasting hubs, and an online news site that place students for internships at WAMU, WHUR-FM, Washingtonian (magazine), and The Hill. The school's production facilities support collaborations with festivals and labs like Sundance, Tribeca Film Festival, and regional partners including Kennedy Center.