Certificate in Public Policy Advocacy

Multi-disciplinary studies of the communication processes that shape public policy.

The Certificate in Public Policy Advocacy is offered jointly by the Price School of Public Policy and the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. The certificate provides students with knowledge of increasingly important role played by information flows in politics and governance. Students will assess the structure of campaigns designed to influence public opinion, the messaging strategies utilized by political players and civic society organizations and new scholarship on the pathways of persuasion in the digital age.

The certificate is especially appropriate for students who intend to pursue work with elected officials, think tanks, foundations, community-based organizations, consulting firms and corporate offices that aim to shape public policy through advocacy.

The Certificate in Public Policy Advocacy requires completion of two required courses — one in the Price School and one in the Annenberg School — and two electives from a menu of approved Price and Annenberg courses. Students will be encouraged but not required to take an elective in the school other than the one granting their degree.

Required Courses

PPD 693: Communicating Public Policy — (4 units)

This course explores the relationships among policies, policymakers, and the print, electronic and digital media. It focuses on journalistic coverage of public policy and political controversies and on efforts by policy stakeholders to influence public opinion through that coverage.

PR 501: Advocacy Communications — (4 units)

The focus is on communication strategies employed by advocates, think tanks and philanthropies to shape policy deliberations. The course examines advocacy campaigns on climate change, immigration, gun control and other issues. It examines the uses of multiple media platforms from documentary films to social media, and it explores new developments in cognitive psychology regarding the activation of public opinion.

Elective Courses

Pick two from the following:

Annenberg:
CMGT 508: Communicating Strategy and Change (4 units)
CMGT 581: Media in Social Services: Design and Evaluation of Campaigns (4 units)
COMM 561: Leading and Communicating Change in Global Organizations (4 units)
PR 536: Digital, Social and Mass Media Public Relations Strategies (3 units)
PR 568: Crisis Management in Strategic Public Relations (3 units)

Price:
PPD 554: Foundations of Policy Analysis (4 units)
PPD 657: Political Leadership in Public Organizations (4 units)
PPD 616: Participatory Methods in Planning and Policy (4 units)
PPDE 647: Civic Engagement in Governance (4 units)

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Applicants for the Certificate in Public Policy Advocacy must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at USC and in good standing, with a 3.0 GPA. Students may apply for the certificate through the student services offices at USC Annenberg.

For curriculum information or information on how to enroll, please contact Associate Director of Academic Advisement, Mike Ploszek: [email protected] or (213) 740-0887