Political Communication Major
Make an Impact
The University of Northern Iowa offers one of the few undergraduate political communication programs in the United States. Our majors work with experts in both communication & media and political science, and graduate with first-hand experience gained through internships in political campaigns, legislative offices, government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Stand Out
UNI offers one of the few undergraduate political communication programs in the United States.
Career Oriented
Poli Comm majors are exceptionally qualified for a variety of careers related to politics and communications.
Integrated Curriculum
Unique blend of courses from both the Department of Political Science and Department of Communication Studies.
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Contact us directly at:
Department of Political Science
335 Sabin Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0404
319-273-2039
Email: scott.peters@uni.edu
Why Political Communication?
Find your path.
Political communication focuses on the creation, dissemination and effects of political information. Students develop skills in research, journalism, mass communication and politics. The 39-hour major includes an internship and allows you to choose among a wide variety of courses, such as:
/ Mass Communication & Society
/ Campaigns & Elections
/ Public Opinion & Voting Behavior
/ Rhetoric & Civic Culture
/ Communication, Community & Change
Grow your future.
UNI’s political communication majors are exceptionally qualified for a variety of careers related to politics and communications, such as:
/ Political campaign management
/ Political strategy
/ Government affairs
/ Journalism
/ Media affairs
/ Public relations
/ Foreign service
Go beyond.
Students have the opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice via service-learning and internships with national, state and local government agencies, businesses and news organizations.
The major offers many civic engagement and leadership opportunities outside the classroom, including a competitive Model United Nations team, an academic partnership with U.S. Strategic Command and our #panthersvote voter engagement efforts.
Students can also participate in organizations like Pre-law Club, Political Science Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society.
Find your path.
Political communication focuses on the creation, dissemination and effects of political information. Students develop skills in research, journalism, mass communication and politics. The 39-hour major includes an internship and allows you to choose among a wide variety of courses, such as:
/ Mass Communication & Society
/ Campaigns & Elections
/ Public Opinion & Voting Behavior
/ Rhetoric & Civic Culture
/ Communication, Community & Change
Grow your future.
UNI’s political communication majors are exceptionally qualified for a variety of careers related to politics and communications, such as:
/ Political campaign management
/ Political strategy
/ Government affairs
/ Journalism
/ Media affairs
/ Public relations
/ Foreign service
Go beyond.
Students have the opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice via service-learning and internships with national, state and local government agencies, businesses and news organizations.
The major offers many civic engagement and leadership opportunities outside the classroom, including a competitive Model United Nations team, an academic partnership with U.S. Strategic Command and our #panthersvote voter engagement efforts.
Students can also participate in organizations like Pre-law Club, Political Science Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society.
Not your average professor
"Probably the most satisfying compliment I ever got was from an elementary education student who came back from Thanksgiving break and said 'For the first time, I understood what everybody was talking about at dinner.' It may sound like a small thing, but it’s important for people to understand what’s going on and be interested and engaged.”
-- Justin Holmes, associate professor of political science
Panther POV
"In all honesty, I double majored in Political Science and Political Communication because those courses and professors interested me the most! I had no idea “what I wanted to be when I grew up.” So, I focused on an area I enjoyed studying and was passionate about. I knew no matter what I would leave UNI with the skill set I needed to find a career."
--Adam Haselhuhn, 2011, Annual Giving Director, John Stoddard Cancer Center – UnityPoint Health, Des Moines
Panther POV
"I definitely use all communication styles every single day in my role. I also learned how to critically think in the Political Communication program. This helps me work through issues students can face through the admissions process and in helping them think about what program to pursue in college."
--Emma Hashman, 2011, Coordinator for Recruitment and Outreach, Utah State University Tooele, Tooele, UT
Panther POV
"I really enjoyed a lot of my classes. I loved being in Professor Hoffmans’ legistivative politics class and Professor Holmes’ had a couple classes in the political world that I learned a lot and had fun. Probably my most interesting class was my capstone that was in southern India where we worked with local communities in environmental technology!"
--Kristen Meyers, 2012, Founder/Owner of Party On, Des Moines! LLC