Curriculum

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism collaborates with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to provide the coursework necessary for students to become fully engaged with the phenomenon of global communication through this dual master’s degree program. Upon satisfaction of all program requirements, students will be awarded a Master of Arts (MA) in Global Media and Communication by USC as well as a Master of Science (MSc) in Global Media and Communications by the LSE.

Residence

This is a two-year program during which students spend their first year at the LSE and their second year at USC.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirements

There are no foreign language requirements. Students take a one-term research methods course as part of their course work at the LSE.

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication requires 42 units; the equivalent of 18 units earned at the LSE and 24 units earned at USC.

Year One at LSE: The LSE academic year has three terms. Students will complete classes approved by faculty at the LSE. Students must earn at least 3 units at the LSE, which articulates as 18 units at USC.

Year Two at USC: Students must complete COMM 597 or COMM 598 as well as 20 elective units (5 courses) from the School of Communication graduate curriculum, excluding COMM 525, COMM 526, COMM 550 and COMM 552. All students are required to complete an internship/practicum during their year at Annenberg.

Students may choose one of their elective courses from a department outside Annenberg with the approval of their advisers.

Students will produce a final research project on global communication that will be the product of work done both at the LSE and Annenberg. Students complete a research project during the summer after their year at the LSE for which grades are awarded by LSE faculty. A passing grade is required. They will continue to develop this project during the year at Annenberg in COMM 597 or COMM 598 and must earn a grade of B minus or higher.

Additional Requirements

All master’s degree candidates in the Annenberg School of Communication are required to complete the Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations training during their enrollment at USC. This non-credit, professional skills training is offered online by USC Annenberg every fall, spring and summer term and is designed to foster students’ ability to create, sustain and thrive within diverse work environments. Modules include: fostering connection and inclusive cultures; managing implicit biases and power; understanding the impact of technology on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); creating representative and inclusive content; and developing habits and strategies to effect lasting change. To learn more about this training please visit this page.


This page is based on the current 2023-2024 USC Catalogue. The 2024-2025 USC Catalogue will be published in Summer 2024.