The USC Master of Public Diplomacy Program

This feature was included in CPD's 2023-24 Annual Report

The Public Diplomacy Program at USC Annenberg is sharpening its focus on academic excellence and practical engagement to address the evolving challenges of global communication and international security. According to the program’s director Jay Wang, “Our mission combines academic rigor with practical relevance to find innovative solutions to today’s public diplomacy challenges. With global communication and security more critical than ever, public diplomacy has gained new urgency. Our program, the nation’s first, plays a key role in advancing its impact."

The program's renewed strategic focus includes three core pillars: advancing research and theory, providing a cutting-edge curriculum for future public diplomacy practitioners, and fostering a collaborative space for intellectual exchange. Specifically, it emphasizes the following key areas:

Strengthening the Curriculum

The program is enhancing its curriculum to address the growing role of data and digital technology, while maintaining leadership in public diplomacy education. With faculty expertise and a global expert network, students will gain essential skills for today’s public diplomacy landscape. Initiatives like "Public Diplomacy Next" will explore future trends in international engagement.

Expanding the DC Presence

The program is expanding its presence in Washington, DC, launching a pilot at the USC Capital Campus in spring 2025. This initiative will offer students real-world application of theoretical concepts and create a platform for scholars and practitioners to discuss key issues. An international immersion program will also launch next summer, starting at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Leveraging the ‘L.A. Moment’

With Los Angeles hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, the program is capitalizing on the city’s role as a global hub of cultural innovation. Research and teaching programs will focus on the international engagement opportunities these mega-events present, exploring their global reach and local impacts.

As powerful forces like AI revolutionize the field, public diplomats must embrace new tools and platforms to engage global audiences, while remaining wary to track and counter threats like disinformation.