Strategic Political Communication Major
Want to influence public opinion? Learn from people who do it every day. Drake’s Strategic Political Communication program is at the heart of the political world.
School of Journalism & Mass Communication | On-Campus
Program Options
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication opens access to experiences you can’t get in a classroom. See presidential campaigns close up, participate in advocacy efforts, and do meaningful work through internships in Iowa’s capital city.
B.A.J.M.C. in Strategic Political Communication
You’ll take courses in public relations, politics, rhetoric, and strategic political communication. Many offer first-hand exposure to the political process as it happens, with faculty and guest speakers giving you a behind-the-scenes look.
Open JMC Major
Open JMC majors jump in on day one to explore classes in any of the specialized areas offered at Drake before determining their direction forward. All along, you’ll have access to the faculty, internship opportunities, and horizon-expanding liberal arts classes that allow you to customize your experience.
Double Major
The best communicators and strategists are agile, drawing from numerous disciplines in their day-to-day work. Depending on your interests and aspirations, you might choose to double major in American politics, international relations, data analytics, marketing, history, psychology, or sociology to further refine how you’ll connect with certain audiences.
Meet the Faculty
Our Strategic Political Communication faculty haven’t just observed politics. As politicians, journalists, PR experts, crisis communication specialists, and brand strategists, they’ve developed campaigns, monitored reputations, and asked candidates tough questions.
Outside the Classroom
In internships and assignments taking you into Iowa’s State Capitol, you’ll find that your words directly fuel change—whether for political campaigns, proposing legislation, or empowering clients.
State Capitol Experience Course
See how state government really works in this required course, which combines a legislative internship with in-depth classroom discussions that put your experiences into context.
Campaign Internships and Fellowships
Every year is an election year in Iowa. Strategic Political Communication majors often work as volunteers and campaign staffers for city council, state legislative, and presidential candidates.
Capstone
As a senior, you’ll complete a capstone project developing an advocacy plan for a candidate or a cause. It’s a chance to put your skills to work in a real-world setting and develop a powerful piece for your professional portfolio.
Advocating for Change
Drake students get the chance to work with non-profits, state agencies, corporations, and lobbying firms to carry out legislative efforts. You’ll help write issue briefs, develop Day on the Hill plans, and amplify clients’ interests to legislators.
Student Media
Contribute to award-winning campus outlets such as Drake Political Review, The Times-Delphic newspaper, Drake Mag, and the Drake Broadcasting System radio station.
Scholarships
Entering first-year students are eligible for several journalism and mass communication awards, including the Katherine Futch Scholarship.
Careers & Skills
Graduates of the bachelor’s in Strategic Political Communication program begin their careers with the kind of experience that makes them highly desirable candidates. And they are: 97.3 percent of SJMC undergraduates find a position related to their studies or begin an advanced degree within six months of graduation.
Many of our students go to work for political candidates or government officials, nonprofit associations, political parties and PACs, digital and print media, and political consultants, while others pursue graduate studies in public administration, business, or the law.
Employers
- Offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives
- The Washington Post
- State and local government agencies
- People Inc.
- LS2group
- America Votes
Skills
- Learn to communicate effectively within and through a complex media environment
- Blend journalism, political science, and rhetoric while understanding how to shape public opinion
Salary & Growth Outlook
The entry-level salary for political lobbyists as of 2025. (PayScale)
Take the Next Step
Learn to use your voice to transform society while studying in the center of the political world. Get started in Des Moines and Drake’s Strategic Political Communication major.
