London Graduate Mass Communication Program (Summer)

In a 24/7 global news environment, politics and the media have become increasingly interdependent, creating challenges for professionals in both fields. The London Graduate Mass Communication Program offers students the opportunity to spend 12 weeks studying global marketing communication and mass media while participating in a full-time internship.

In class, students will analyze international political and media systems in Europe and the Americas, and examine how these systems interact to produce national and international policies. A full-time internship will then take students from theory to practice.

Program Curriculum

The first six weeks are spent taking two core courses. In the last seven weeks, students work full-time in their internships and complete a research project or thesis. All courses are offered at the graduate level.

Required Courses (Weeks 1–6)

Students take these two courses during the first phase of the program:

COM CM 738: Global Marketing Communication (4)

Issues covered include nationality, branding, international distribution, sales promotion, advertising, public relations, and intercultural marketing. Students analyze case studies and decisions in the management of marketing in a multinational context.  Syllabus

COM CM 744: International Political and Media Systems (4)

The course offers will focus on international political and media systems from two related standpoints; first, the description, analysis, and comparison of political systems in Europe and the Americas, and second, a consideration of how political and media systems interact to produce national and international policies. In a 24/7 global news environment, politics and the media are becoming increasingly interdependent and are creating challenges for professionals in both fields. Syllabus

Required Courses (Weeks 7–13)

Students take one course while working four or five days a week in their internship placement. Placements are contingent on the student’s past experience and available opportunities in any given summer, so flexibility is essential. Recent graduate internship placements have included Fleischman-Hillard UK, Cohn & Wolfe, Elizabeth Arden, and Reuters UK.

COM CM 809: Graduate Internship (4)

Students intern in journalism; advertising or public relations agencies; corporate marketing or public relations departments; or other communications organizations. Recent graduate internship placements have included Fleischman-Hillard U.K., Cohn & Wolfe, Elizabeth Arden, and Reuters UK.

COM CM 909: Thesis or Project Research (4)

The type of graduate project selected will depend on the major and academic focus of each student. COM students will complete a professional project. IR/COM students will write a research paper.

Program Details

Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree required. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a graduate degree program. Other applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Admissions requirements for all programs
Program Dates
  • Summer Term: May 22 to August 11, 2012
    • Depart U.S.: TBD
    • Program Arrival: May 22, 2012 (Housing check-in by noon)
    • Program End: August 11, 2012
    • Depart England: TBD
Cost
  • Summer 2012 Tuition & Fees: $22,000

Cost includes tuition, housing, round-trip group airfare from designated U.S. cities, field trips, and emergency travel assistance coverage. The cost for Summer 2013 has not yet been announced and will be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at Boston University. Additional expenses for the summer. Financial aid is available. BU Study Abroad arranges a trans-Atlantic group flight which is included in the program fee.  We recommend that students take this flight.
Credits
  • Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16 Boston University credits. Students must enroll for a total of 16 credits.
Housing
  • Students live in shared suites in Boston University’s own housing. All housing is within walking distance of the BU London Academic Center. Suites vary in size (from 2 to 13 occupants), configuration, and style of decoration, but most consist of shared bedrooms with Internet access, shower room, and a kitchen/common area.
Application Deadlines
  • Summer Term: February 15

Download a description of the London Graduate Mass Communication Program.

Program Faculty & Staff

All Boston University London programs are administered in coordination with our Boston and London offices. In Boston a program manager facilitates the admissions and pre-departure procedures and maintains contact with students prior to their arrival in London. The Boston office also houses administrative personnel who are responsible for everyday operations. In London the staff comprises a resident director as well as administrative, academic, and housing personnel.

Faculty & Staff Profiles

Jeff Conradi, Program Manager

Overseas Staff

Faculty

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