If you can’t wait to see the next round of political ads, love to discuss the State of the Union speech, think you could eventually handle the media better than the current press secretary or simply want to improve the quality of political dialogue, then political communication is the major for you.  This is also one of the best pre-law majors available.  Critical thinking, public speaking, concise writing and good use of media are the core elements of this degree.  Political communication graduates are highly desirable, whether you want to be a political journalist, campaign manager, political consultant, speechwriter, make political ads or work on public diplomacy.

Open up dynamic, flexible career paths. The Manship School trains students to work in political campaigns, run for elective office, cover politics as journalists, handle press relations for public officials or government agencies, analyze and evaluate policy proposals for government agencies, think tanks, and community foundations, and lobby government and policy makers on behalf of corporations, interest groups, and nonprofits. The political communication concentration is also a great pre-law major. In fact, ours is one of the best pre-law programs in Louisiana. Graduates of our program are now working on Capitol Hill as press secretaries to members of Congress, at major news networks, and throughout Louisiana politics and government.

Develop real world skills. There is never a shortage of career opportunities for young people with skills in political communication. According to the Princeton Review: “An undergraduate degree in political communication is very marketable.”

Change the world. Your degree can help you make a difference – in your own back yard, across the country or around the world. The need for political communication transcends national boundaries. You will be equipped to work here or abroad with international agencies, multinational corporations, or other organizations.

World class faculty, first rate students. At the Manship School, students learn from some of the finest political communication professors in the country. We admit small, select groups of students who get to know and work with senior faculty members. The Manship School attracts high-achievers who are campus and community leaders and who regularly win national awards, scholarships, and internships.

Students are also encouraged to get involved with SPIN (Student Political Communication Organization) and participate in related internships.

The Manship School also offers a minor in Political Communication.

For more information about the Political Communication concentration, contact:

Johanna Dunaway, Assistant Professor | jdunaway@lsu.edu | 225.578.2553

Alison DeVault, Associate, Member Services, The Advisory Board Company
"With the knowledge base I gained in the program and a lot of hard work, I was able to compete against Ivy League students for internships and political positions in D.C."

Ginger Gibson, political reporter, The News Journal in Wilmington, Del.
"A poli comm background has meant that I have an upper hand over the rest of the press corps when it comes to understanding the often complicated and confusing world that is political and media interaction."

Paul Dietzel II, working on dual MBA and Public Policy master’s at Pepperdine University
"The tools acquired at the school thoroughly prepared me for my dual-Masters and working with political candidates around the country."

Whitney Breaux, Communications Specialist, BR Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Political Communication gave me the opportunity to display my work ethic and abilities before I even applied for a job."

Adam Parker, UNC Masters in Public Administration Student
"I have worked in the federal, state, and local capacity. I have worked on campaigns and legislative staffs. I've even been a math teacher for a couple of years. Without the skills I acquired at the Manship school, it would have been much more difficult to launch myself on that trajectory."

Robert McAlister, New Media Coordinator, Office of U.S. Representative Buck McKeon, Calif.
"The Political Communication Program at the Manship School is a rare find on today's college campuses. By combining theory and discussion with practical skills and real-world guidance from professors, the Manship School fully prepared me for life as a communications professional on Capitol Hill."

advertising | journalism | political communication | public relations