Master of Arts in Global Communication

In today's connected world, global communication takes place across borders—navigating diverse cultures, complex political landscapes, and dynamic socio-economic environments. Our Global Communication Master of Arts program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to engage meaningfully with the world.

Whether you're a professional looking to advance your career in DC's vibrant international sphere, a newcomer seeking to pivot into communication fields, or an international student eager to explore global issues, our program prepares you to tackle real-time challenges such as misinformation, crisis communications, geopolitical tensions, emerging policies around Artificial Intelligence, and much more. Here, you’ll develop the analytical and practical skills needed to become a global communicator poised to make a difference on the world stage.

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What Makes Us Unique? 

The M.A. in Global Communication program is a unique collaboration between GW's Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) and the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA). An award-winning faculty runs this partnership, focusing on the intersection of media and politics. Aligning these two disciplines, our program offers a distinctive educational experience designed to prepare you both intellectually and professionally for an exciting career. 

Over recent years, we have built an alumni network to connect current students with our graduates who have excelled in a range of careers from public diplomacy to corporate communications. Current students have direct access and mentorship with these alumni, who can provide unique and timely career advice and opportunities.

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What You’ll Study

The M.A. Global Communication degree is designed as a 2-year program, but you can adapt a schedule that works for you - part-time or full-time. The M.A. in Global Communication is structured to prepare you for an exciting career in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Your 40-credit degree begins with a foundation of core courses, supported by your selected specialization and electives that reflect your professional goals. It will all be concluded with our global capstone—a culminating project enabling our students to help solve real-world policy issues. During the assignment, you’ll have an opportunity to serve as the communications expert of your team, working with students from other Elliott School master’s programs. Recent topics have included Navigating Soft Power Dynamics: U.S. and Chinese Influence in Chile and Breaking Barriers: Refugee Women, and Empowerment Programs in Uganda.

When it comes to selecting your specialization, you’ll choose either a global issue or a regional focus. Or, if you have a specific area of interest outside of our options, you can work with your program director to create your own. Whether you’re looking for a deeper understanding of public diplomacy or global gender policy, want to focus on a particular region such as Africa or the Middle East, or have an even more specific interest in data interpretation & analysis or press & politics in Latin America, we’ll help you get there.

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Real Experience, Right Away  

Our location in Foggy Bottom gives our students a hyper-local, competitive advantage. We are steps away from organizations like the State Department and the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)—giving our students opportunities to listen to guest speakers and eat lunch with diplomats, without disrupting their 9-5 responsibilities. Additionally, our capstone project adds real-world experience to your resume and portfolio. It’s led by experienced faculty who are genuinely engaged and interested in supporting your career goals. 

Our affiliated institute, The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC), serves as a forum for faculty, students, and working professionals to engage with global issues. It focuses on interactions between new media, national security, public diplomacy, and U.S. foreign policy priorities in the developing world, among other topics.

Where You’ll Go 

For global communication students, there is a broad scope of potential career paths. Our students often seek opportunities in the UN and other international IGOs, Global NGOs, the private sector, and places where they can make an impact. They embark on diverse and rewarding career paths spanning diplomacy and public service, business, security, conflict resolution, development, and public health. Our recent grads have found opportunities with organizations in both the United States and overseas—such as:

• Technical Attache, Embassy of the UAE
• Communications Assistant, Global Taiwan Institute
• Associate, Glen Echo Group
• External Affairs Associate, Global Ties U.S.
• Senior Communications Specialist, Universal Service Administrative Company
• Research Assistant, GW Institute for Public Health, George Washington University

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Attend events on campus! The topics are interesting, and you get to meet some of the foremost experts in the field giving insights into the future of public diplomacy, AI and disinformation…you get hands-on experience and mentorship regarding what it’s like to run the public affairs of an embassy.

Jennifer Fang
Second-Year Global Communication Student 

How to Apply

When you're ready to apply to the program, you will need to follow the graduate admissions process, including completing and submitting the online application with all of the required materials. There are also certain prerequisites that applicants must meet to be able to apply to the program.

Prerequisites 

Language

Academic coursework in a modern foreign language, which will prepare students to complete the program’s language requirement*, must be shown at the time of application. This can be demonstrated by:

• Study that is equal to four semesters of university-level coursework or equivalent.
• Completion of formal language training as part of employment (ex. Peace Corps).
• Growing up in a household where the language is spoken.

*Students need to have a strong foundation in a second language before enrolling to be successful in completing the language requirement during the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from a traditional communications master’s degree?

The Global Communications program is a unique collaboration between GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs and the School of Media and Public Affairs. This one-of-a-kind partnership offers a distinctive educational experience designed to prepare you for the social and political complexities of the global information changing landscape. The main difference with traditional communications masters is exposure to the Elliott School’s range of courses, experts, programs and institutes - one of the largest and most prestigious international affairs schools in the world. Few communication masters programs offer this type of exposure and opportunity for students.

How is this different from an international affairs degree?

Global communications, through its joint-department collaboration with the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA), one of the leading political communication schools in the world, allows students to go far beyond a traditional international affairs degree. The program focuses on strategic communication, cross-cultural storytelling, media effects and persuasion, amongst other communication knowledge and skill sets, to go far beyond a traditional international affairs degree. SMPA, like the Elliott School, offers some of the world’s leading academics and practitioners in its respective field. 

What courses will I actually take?

As a Global Comms student, you are required to take classes in International Affairs Cornerstone, Media and Foreign Policy, Research Design, and a range of other courses in cutting-edge topics within international political  communication . Beyond those core classes, you have flexibility in selecting classes for your specialization, skills courses, and electives.

Do I need communications experience to apply?

Students do not need any communications experience, as this is taught as part of the program, especially through interaction with leading media and communication practitioners in both the private and public sectors. Students can develop new communication skills such as video production, social media analysis and speechwriting, from a wide range of skills-based courses.

What are the application deadline and requirements?/Is admission restricted to the fall semester?

Admission is available for both the fall and spring semesters. Fall admission has a deadline of November 1st (for classes beginning the following August). Spring admission applications are due October 1st (for classes beginning in January).

Will I produce work I can show employers?

As part of the Global Comms curriculum, students complete a Global Capstone project, which demonstrates their ability to apply academic knowledge, conduct original research, and develop professional skills through a culminating project that produces portfolio-ready work they can showcase to employers.

What access do students actually get from being in Washington, DC?

Global Comm students can gain valuable work experience while obtaining their degree. Students are able to attend events with leading scholars and expert practitioners to build their network of contacts, which can expose them to leading D.C.-based institutions such as the World Bank/IMF, State Department, international embassies and leading NGOs and private companies.  Through our extensive alumni network and a lifetime access to our career coaches, you’ll have the resources you need to make the right connections. Our location in Washington, DC puts us blocks away from the leading organizations and key individuals.

Are classes offered in the evening?

Yes, courses are offered in the evenings allowing students to work in their jobs and/or internships during the day.

What opportunities are available?

The M.A. in Global Communication program offers opportunities to gain hands-on professional experience and explore diverse career paths. Students can pursue internships and professional experiences in Washington, D.C., attend more than 300 annual events featuring policymakers, diplomats, and global experts, and connect with alumni and specialized career coaches. Through the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC), students can also engage with professionals in public diplomacy, international relations, foreign policy, and global communication. Graduates are prepared for careers with international organizations such as the United Nations, global NGOs, government agencies, and private-sector organizations in fields including strategic communications, media relations, public diplomacy, and international affairs.