Applied Political Communication, Certificate
Certificate in Applied Political Communication (370019C)
Applied political communication encompasses the interaction of political figures, political interests, governmental institutions, media, and the public in their efforts to persuade and influence political power and public policy outcomes. This certificate’s interdisciplinary nature applies the fundamentals of public communication and political science to meet the specific needs and goals of political campaigns and advocacy organizations. Topics covered include campaign leadership strategies, audience analysis pertaining to specific publics, crisis communication, effective strategic messaging campaigns targeting publics through traditional communication channels, digital communication assets, and social media platforms. The certificate is designed for students seeking preparation for careers as legislative aides, political consultants, campaign managers, social media or digital strategists, political journalists, government press secretaries, lobbyists, or aides in public affairs organizations.
Requirements for Admission
This certificate program is open to all students who have been admitted to undergraduate study at the University of Akron.
Program Contact
Dr. David Cohen
Professor, Political Science
330-972-6045
dbcohen@uakron.edu
The following information has official approval of The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a guide. Completion of this certificate is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others.
The following courses constitute a “Certificate in Applied Political Communication” and must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall for the certificate to be noted on the student’s record.
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Core | 6 | |
Required Internship | 3 | |
Elective | 9 | |
Total Hours | 18 |
Required Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLIT:470 | Fundamentals of Political Strategy | 3 |
COMM:475 | Political Communication | 3 |
Total Hours | 6 |
Required Internship
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete 3 credits: | 3 | |
POLIT:395 | Internship in Government & Politics | |
or COMM:480 | Communication Internship | |
Total Hours | 3 |
Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete a total of 9 credits: | 9 | |
Political Science Courses (minimum 3 credits) | ||
POLIT:402 | Politics and the Media | |
POLIT:427 | Campaign Battleground | |
POLIT:440 | Survey Research Methods | |
POLIT:471 | Fundamentals of Electoral Messaging | |
POLIT:472 | Campaign Finance, Fundraising, and Budgeting | |
POLIT:473 | Voter Contact & Elections | |
POLIT:474 | Political Opinion, Behavior & Electorial Politics | |
POLIT:475 | American Interest Groups | |
POLIT:406 | Comparative Constitutional Law | |
POLIT:477 | Government Relations and Lobbying | |
POLIT:478 | Fundamentals of the Digital Campaign | |
POLIT:395 | Internship in Government & Politics | |
Communication Courses (minimum 3 credits) | ||
COMM:307 | Principles of Social Media | |
COMM:219 | Introduction to Public Relations | |
COMM:303 | Public Relations Writing | |
COMM:309 | Public Relations Publications | |
COMM:368 | Basic Audio & Video Editing | |
COMM:472 | Video Production | |
COMM:405 | Media Copywriting | |
COMM:406 | Public Relations Theory | |
COMM:409 | Public Relations Strategic Campaigns | |
COMM:429 | Advanced Strategic Social Media | |
COMM:435 | Organizational Communication | |
COMM:436 | Analyzing Organizational Communication | |
COMM:459 | Leadership and Communication | |
COMM:468 | Advanced Audio and Video Editing | |
COMM:480 | Communication Internship 1 | |
Total Hours | 9 |
- 1
If taken instead of COMM:475 or for additional credit beyond the 3 credits needed to fulfill the Required Internship