
The University of Southern California offers a Master of Public Diplomacy (MPD) program, located in Los Angeles, California. The program is offered in partnership with the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters and aims to develop the next generation of leaders in international public service, business, and non-governmental organizations. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including communication, journalism, foreign affairs, and public relations, with a focus on integrating the historical context of public diplomacy scholarship with contemporary practices and challenges in global affairs. The University also hosts the Center on Public Diplomacy (CPD), a research and training organization dedicated to advancing the study and practice of global public diplomacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Setting | Urban |
| Language | English |
| Application fee | $90 (Domestic) |
| Gender | Male (23%) Female (76%) |
| Address | University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States |
| Contact | Dr. Robert David Banks, Faculty Program Co-Director, Email: robertdb@usc.edu, Phone: 213-821-7851 |
| Aim | Develop the next generation of leaders within the industries of international public service, business and nongovernmental organizations |
| Skills | Understand and deploy a range of instruments to advance foreign policy goals by engaging foreign publics, beginning with listening, approach issues related to foreign public engagement, communicate persuasively and succinctly in spoken and written forms |
Explore related products
$24.33 $24.95
What You'll Learn

The Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Public Diplomacy
The Fulbright scholar will have the opportunity to contribute to the intellectual life of the university in a variety of ways. They will conduct research and write a paper for publication by the CPD. If feasible, they will also teach a course in the USC Master of Public Diplomacy Program. Additionally, the scholar will have the chance to deliver public lectures, give seminar presentations, and participate in conferences and related research.
The Fulbright Canada Research Chair is a competitive award, with the next round of applications for the 2026-2027 academic year opening in May 2025. The award values range from US$25,000 to US$50,000 for a period of four to nine months. The University of Southern California's Master of Public Diplomacy Program is located in Los Angeles, California, and has a diverse student body, with 44% of students representing other countries.
The CPD at USC is dedicated to furthering the study and practice of global public diplomacy. It hosts robust discussions about the future of public diplomacy and offers a range of opportunities for scholars, including the Summer Institute, which provides a platform to reflect and build public diplomacy toolkits while drawing on current scholarship and communications tools. The CPD also has a strong focus on public diplomacy in the digital age, with a particular interest in the former Twitter platform, now rebranded as X.
Public Diplomacy Strategies: France and China Compared
You may want to see also

CPD's Summer Institute
The CPD Summer Institute is a two-week, in-person flagship training program in Public Diplomacy offered annually by the University of Southern California's Center on Public Diplomacy. The program is designed for mid-career professionals from diverse sectors, including foreign affairs, defense, homeland security, trade and economics agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.
The curriculum of the CPD Summer Institute integrates academic scholarship with real-world problem-solving. It offers a range of foundational and advanced courses that address the latest technological innovations in global communication, such as artificial intelligence, internet bots, digital storytelling, and data-driven methods. The program aims to bridge the gap between public diplomacy study and practice, ensuring that participants are equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the rapidly shifting information ecosystem.
The Institute provides a collaborative and forward-looking learning environment, fostering a robust and impactful approach to public diplomacy. Participants have the opportunity to expand their global networks and engage in discussions on pressing issues in the field. The program also emphasizes hands-on skill development and analytical capabilities, empowering professionals to stay ahead of the curve in their respective fields.
The 2025 CPD Summer Institute, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will be held from July 13 to July 25 at the USC campus. The classes will take place from Monday to Friday each week, with an orientation on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13. The application deadline for the program is May 22, 2025, and the payment deadline is May 29, 2025.
Law Firms' Political Donations: Influence and Access
You may want to see also

The history of public diplomacy scholarship
The University of Southern California's Master of Public Diplomacy program is offered in partnership with the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters. The program is located in Los Angeles, California, in an urban setting. The Public Diplomacy MPD program aims to develop the next generation of leaders within the industries of international public service, business, and non-governmental organizations. The program equips students with the hands-on skills and analytical capabilities to accelerate their careers at the intersection of communication and global affairs.
The Master of Public Diplomacy program builds on this rich history of scholarship by offering students the opportunity to integrate long-standing practices of cultural programming and exchanges with multi-platform content creation and data insights. The program's faculty has expertise across communication, journalism, foreign affairs, and public relations, allowing students to develop a deep understanding of the field. The program also emphasizes the importance of effective communication in spoken and written forms, as well as persuasive and succinct messaging, which are essential skills in public diplomacy practice.
In addition to the MPD program, the University of Southern California also offers a Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Public Diplomacy. The Fulbright Visiting Research Chair conducts research, writes a paper for publication by the CPD, and may teach a course in the Master of Public Diplomacy program. They also have the opportunity to contribute to the intellectual life of the university through public lectures, seminar presentations, and participation in conferences and related research.
Campaign Sign Rules: What's Banned and Why
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The future of public diplomacy
The University of Southern California offers a Master of Public Diplomacy (MPD) program, which aims to develop the next generation of leaders in international public service, business, and non-governmental organizations. The program equips students with hands-on skills and analytical capabilities to navigate the dynamic intersection of communication and global affairs. Students learn to engage with foreign and domestic publics to improve global communication and international security.
The MPD curriculum integrates the historical context of public diplomacy with contemporary practices, including cultural programming, exchanges, multi-platform content creation, and data insights. This holistic approach enables students to address complex challenges in global affairs effectively. The program emphasizes the importance of both team collaboration and individual research or practice in foreign public engagement.
Located in Los Angeles, the program leverages the city's diverse landscape, with over 100 foreign consulates and populations from across the globe. This international presence, coupled with the city's creative industries, provides a unique environment for students to pursue professional opportunities in government agencies, foreign affairs systems, and non-state organizations with international influence.
As public diplomacy continues to evolve, the University of Southern California remains committed to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By fostering academic discussions, offering practical skill development, and providing a diverse cultural context, the university equips graduates to become leaders and innovators in the field of public diplomacy.
Donating Without WinRed: Alternative Ways to Give Back
You may want to see also

Public diplomacy toolkits
The University of Southern California's Master of Public Diplomacy program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to address complex challenges in contemporary global affairs. The program is offered in partnership with the Dornsife College of Letters and is based in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is home to more than 100 foreign consulates, diverse populations, and creative industries with international reach and influence, providing a unique environment for the study of public diplomacy.
The program focuses on developing hands-on skills and analytical capabilities that integrate the historical context of public diplomacy with contemporary practices. Students learn to navigate the dynamic intersection of communication and global affairs, engaging with foreign and domestic publics to improve global communication and international security. The curriculum covers a range of disciplines, including communication, journalism, foreign affairs, and public relations.
One of the key aspects of the program is its emphasis on cultural programming and exchanges. Students learn to create multi-platform content and leverage data insights to address complex issues. They also have the opportunity to build professional networks and pursue opportunities in government agencies, foreign affairs systems, and non-state organizations with international influence.
The University of Southern California also hosts the Center on Public Diplomacy (CPD), a research and training organization dedicated to advancing the study and practice of global public diplomacy. The CPD offers various events, such as the "Diplomacy Through Film" series, and provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to engage in robust discussions about the future of public diplomacy.
In summary, the University of Southern California's Master of Public Diplomacy program provides students with a comprehensive toolkit for navigating the complex world of public diplomacy. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and industry connections, graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in international public service, business, and non-governmental organizations.
Climate Diplomacy: Global Action for a Greener Future
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The University of Southern California's Master of Public Diplomacy program is offered in partnership with the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters. The program is located in Los Angeles, California, and aims to develop the next generation of leaders within the industries of international public service, business, and nongovernmental organizations.
The program aims to develop the hands-on skills and analytical capabilities that will allow students to accelerate their careers at the dynamic intersection of communication and global affairs. Students will learn to integrate the rich history of public diplomacy scholarship and long-standing practices of cultural programming and exchanges with multi-platform content creation and data insights to address complex challenges in contemporary global affairs.
The specific admission requirements for the program are not publicly available. However, the program has an application fee of $90 for domestic students and accepts electronic applications. The program starts in September, and the application deadline is requested on the program's website.

























