“A great school of journalism and communication leads the way, serves as a laboratory for change, doesn’t just anticipate the future, but wills it into being.”
WALLIS ANNENBERG
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As we stand at an exciting threshold of a new communications and media landscape, consider what you want the future to be. And what you want to be in that future.
Look for the camera icon to see the USC Annenberg experience through our students’ creative lenses. See the full list of credits on page 42 .
creative innovative bold connected curious brave
At USC Annenberg, we are preparing the next generation of scholars and professionals to shape the future of communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations. You will build a broad base of knowledge and sharpen the skills that make you an exceptional communicator and critical thinker. You will see connections among complex ideas and engage in highimpact learning opportunities. You will learn and grow at the global crossroads of media, technology and culture.
Be creative.
To be creative is to live at the edge of your imagination, to envision the impossible and to shape urgent new stories.
Join our enterprising students and distinguished faculty in seizing the opportunity — the imperative — to tell stories that traverse boundaries and reach across cultures.
The use of language, the creation and dissemination of messages, the production of accurate and ethical journalism, the making and analysis of culture, the advent of new technologies, and the ability to engage with diverse audiences have never been more critical.
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Our location in Los Angeles, one of the great media capitals of the world, positions you in an ecosystem where content is created, produced and distributed.
Be innovative.
To be innovative is to approach common problems with uncommon solutions, to make bold and persuasive arguments, to develop new skills and methods, and to learn from the past as you create the future.
Gain an edge as you become fluent, nimble and adaptive to evolutions in media and technology in our state-of-the-art facilities.
USC Annenberg’s Media Center is a 20,000 -square-foot newsroom, classroom, incubator, and content and data hub that provides an unsurpassed opportunity for experiential learning.
Our creative makerspace, the Digital Lounge, offers tutorials, workshops, speakers and certification courses.
Take a virtual tour of our world-class facilities with 360 -degree views of spaces throughout our two buildings.
annenberg.usc.edu/virtual-tour
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Investigate emerging topics like immersive storytelling, influencer marketing, media industry convergence, health justice, and how networks and algorithms are shaping our day-to-day lives.
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bold
BeTo be bold is to ask difficult questions in the face of accepted wisdom, to study and wonder, to be a student, scholar and critic of global society, and to explore all that you don’t know.
This is your moment to think comprehensively about the impact you want to make in addressing some of the most difficult social, cultural and political challenges of our time.
Learn and grow at the dynamic intersection of communication, journalism and public relations. You will be trained to be a critical thinker and a highly skilled practitioner ready to be at the forefront of actively forming a more ethical and just world.
Our faculty — leading scholars and industry experts — draw on their deep knowledge and experience to equip you with the research methods, tactical skills and entrepreneurial spirit needed to advance your fields.
Best study spots
A USC Annenberg’s Digital Lounge, a quiet place to work with on-site digital experts
B Hoose Library of Philosophy, one of the oldest libraries on campus and a designated City of Los Angeles HistoricCultural Monument
C McCarthy Quad, USC’s central lawn where students study and socialize
D Wallis Annenberg Hall Forum, an atrium spanning four floors of nooks, crannies and tables close to USC Annenberg classrooms
Be connected.
To be connected is to believe every voice matters, to foster inclusive spaces for dialogue and to know our collective intellectual energy has limitless power.
Study and collaborate in the company of extraordinary peers, distinguished faculty, mentors, advisers and accomplished alumni who reflect the broad diversity of the world you are preparing to transform.
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Work together with our advisers in one-on-one counseling sessions to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Join USC Annenberg’s Trojan
Family, a global network that allows you to expand your learning and professional development outside the classroom with countless opportunities to connect and give back.
A day in the life
A day through the lenses of USC Annenberg students.
A A stop off L.A. Metro’s Expo Line, which runs parallel to USC’s University Park Campus.
B A student holds a matcha latte from Café Dulce — a favorite beverage for visitors of the nearby USC Village.
C An editor for Dímelo, USC Annenberg’s Spanish language vertical, plans out upcoming projects.
D Professor Miki Turner poses for an outdoor photojournalism assignment.
E A student produces a video for Annenberg Media, USC Annenberg’s student-led news media.
F Students relax between classes on the shady patio outside Wallis Annenberg Hall.
G Communication students attend an engaging lecture.
H USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication hosts a lunchtime event with climate communicator in residence Sylvia Earle.
I Between class times, students eat at one of the many dining halls around campus.
J USC basketball player Boogie Ellis gets the ball past his UCLA rival.
Be curious.
To be curious is to defy boundaries, to seek out new experiences and viewpoints, to thrive at the horizon of the unknown and to forge new paths of discovery.
USC Annenberg is positioned in the heart of Los Angeles, a city where media, technology, entertainment, art and culture are experiencing vibrant growth.
Amplify the depth of your education as prominent scholars, leaders and cultural icons, who are drawn by the city’s convergence of fields and industries, share their professional perspectives and knowledge.
A A USC Annenberg student contemplates a film exhibit at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
B USC Annenberg students participate in an on-court ceremony recognizing winners of the Chick Hearn Scholarship at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
C Entrepreneur and K-pop sensation Eric Nam speaks to USC students about success and mental health.
D The Getty Center sculpture gardens are famous for their display of art, architecture and cultural heritage.
E L.A.’s thriving automobile culture is shown off at this vintage car show.
F The public art piece and L.A. landmark “Urban Light” illuminates Mid City.
G Shoes are for sale on L.A.’s historic Olvera Street.
Los Angeles is home to people from more than 140 countries, speakers of 220 languages and a rich collection of multicultural neighborhoods.
Expand your learning outside the classroom through internships, community service programs, and an array of cultural experiences.
A Lunar New Year is celebrated in L.A.’s Chinatown.
B The view from a USC Annenberg student’s role as a Marvel Studios intern.
C Our London, U.K., program enables students to explore the city like locals.
D Students explore Mexico City after a professional excursion during one of USC Annenberg’s Alternative Spring Break programs.
E University of Rome Professor Seán Patrick Lovett guides students through the Musei Capitolini.
F A family on a motorbike near the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, India, photographed during one of USC Annenberg’s Alternative Spring Break programs.
Depending on your degree program, you can pursue study abroad opportunities around the globe that allow you to gain diverse perspectives and practical insights.
Be brave.
To be brave is to pursue excellence with integrity, ethics and creativity, to inspire confidence and courage, to manage complexity and navigate flux, and to redefine what it means for everyone to succeed.
Thrive in a rigorous academic environment that positions you at the forefront of best practice, thought leadership and emerging research in our fields.
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Acquire a foundation in communication fundamentals and professional ethics — qualities and skills that have never been more necessary and that will place you in high demand.
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Leverage our industry partnerships across the media, technology and communications ecosystem to gain hands-on experiences and build meaningful relationships that allow you to chart your unique pathway to success.
A A student attends a NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum event as a member of the media.
B An employer from communications agency Zeno Group speaks with a student at a USC Annenberg Career Fair booth.
C The Riot Games headquarters hosts one of USC Annenberg’s many annual Career Treks, which connect students with industry.
D USC Annenberg students explore Grupo Acir’s radio booth during a spring break trip to Mexico City.
E Students visit the set of CBS Mornings with hosts Gayle King and Vladimir Duthiers, plus alumna and executive producer Shawna Thomas, during the New York City Maymester program.
F J.J. Italiano, head of global hits at Spotify, and Kimiko Jensen, director of digital marketing at Atlantic Records, discuss data and analytics at a faculty-led event on the music industry.
G Ramin Bastani ’01, founder and CEO of Healthvana, answers questions during a virtual event.
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 PhD
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 more information on online degree programs, visit annenberg.usc.edu/academics.
Undergraduate majors
Communication (BA)
Gain a theoretical framework and critical understanding for how messages — from interpersonal to mass media — are informed, created, distributed and consumed.
Journalism (BA)
Guided by rigorous journalistic and ethical standards, report, write and produce news stories across platforms — while harnessing emerging technologies.
Public Relations and Advertising (BA)
From developing brand messages and establishing content strategy to implementing social media campaigns, learn how to advocate on behalf of a person, brand or organization.
Student photographers
These students served as our professional creative partners in capturing the USC Annenberg experience through their eyes and lenses.
Kristi Beckett
BA in Public Relations and Advertising 28
Maddy Brown
BA in Journalism 13
Caitlin Calfo
BA in Journalism 26D
Tomoki Chien
BA in Journalism
20, 22A, 22B, 26E, 30C, 38B
Emily Chung
BA in Journalism 33C
Maria Eberhart
BA in Journalism 4, 16B, 19B
Jules Feeney
MS in Journalism 33F
Joyce Gao
BA in Public Relations 31G
Midori Jenkins
MA in Public Relations and Advertising
32B
Geoffrey Kang
BA in Communication
37A
Jessica Kovalick
MCG in Communication Management
1C, 26A, 27G, 31E, 38C
Angela Lee
BA in Communication 3, 12C
Drake Lee
BA in Journalism
6A, 10, 16A, 17, 19D, 26F, 43
Justin Jinge Li
BA in Journalism
6B, 11A, 27J, 36A, 37B, 38A
Jennifer Liu
BA in Public Relations and Advertising 18A
Jose Manuel Mendoza Ruiz
BA in Communication 26C, 27I, 31F, 33E, 38D
Paola Nieto
MA in Public Relations and Advertising 11B, 26B
Catherine Orihuela
MA in Specialized Journalism 32A
Yannick Peterhans
MA in Specialized Journalism 39G, 44
Olivia Terrazas
MA in Public Relations and Advertising 12A, 27H
Mia Thompson
BA in Journalism 19C
LeeAnna Villarreal
BA in Journalism 22B
Julia Zara
BA in Journalism
1B, 8, 11C, 36B
Ecko Mengjia Zhang
MCG in Communication Management 12B, 14
Yudong Zhang
BA in Communication 33D
Daphne Zhu
BA in Public Relations
1A, 30D
Next steps
Graduate Application
Use the online USC Graduate Admission Application to apply for admission to a USC Annenberg graduate degree program.
Visit annenberg.usc.edu/apply for more information regarding the graduate admissions process.
Undergraduate Application
Apply to USC using the Common Application and select a first- or second-choice USC Annenberg major.
Visit admission.usc.edu for information regarding the undergraduate admissions process.
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The university’s full nondiscrimination policy can be found at policy.usc.edu.
