Unlock Your Future in Political Communication: Thriving Careers Await!
Political Communication faculty jobs blend political science with media dynamics, analyzing how rhetoric, campaigns, and digital platforms influence elections and policy. This niche thrives amid rising scrutiny of misinformation and social media's electoral impact, with demand surging 12% since 2020 per Higher Ed Dive reports. Students pursuing Political Communication should focus on bachelor's in political science or communication, advancing to PhDs emphasizing media effects or public opinion—key at programs like American University's School of Communication. Career paths span academia, campaign consulting, and think tanks like Brookings.
Faculty seekers find tenure-track roles at universities such as George Washington University or Syracuse, often requiring expertise in fringe areas like political memes or AI-driven voter targeting, as seen in studies of 2024 election deepfakes. Salaries start at $95,000 for assistant professors, climbing to $160,000+ for full professors in D.C. metro; explore detailed breakdowns at professor salaries. Rate potential mentors via rate my political communication professor on AcademicJobs.com. Job seekers, browse higher ed faculty jobs or professor jobs today. Parents and staff, discover prestige at Ivy League programs. Search Higher Ed Jobs Now
What is Political Communication?
Political Communication examines message strategies in politics, from TV debates to TikTok campaigns. Pioneered by scholars like Kathleen Hall Jamieson, it covers fringe cases like rhetorical analysis of Brexit slogans or U.S. midterms' viral hashtags. In academia, professors teach courses on framing theory and conduct research on echo chambers, with unique quirks like studying whale.noise-inspired protest tactics in environmental politics.
Career Paths for Students in Political Communication
What to Study
Aspiring scholars start with poli sci majors, adding comm electives. Top grad programs: USC Annenberg (hybrid comm-poli focus), strong in digital trends. Build portfolios via internships at research jobs or campaign data analysis.
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Faculty Opportunities in Political Communication
Tenure-track positions dominate, with 2023 APSA data showing 250+ openings. Hotspots: D.C. area (US DC jobs), Midwest publics. Fringe roles: postdocs decoding foreign election interference at postdoc jobs. Apply via lecturer jobs for adjunct starts.
Prestige peaks at R1 unis; check university rankings. Ivy League guide highlights poli comm at Harvard Kennedy.
Salaries and Trends
AAUP 2023: Poli comm-aligned roles average $128,000 all ranks. Trends: 18% growth projected to 2030 (BLS), fueled by data comms. D.C. quirk: $25k premium near Capitol Hill.
| Rank | National Avg (2023) | DC Metro Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Prof | $98,500 | $122,000 |
| Associate Prof | $115,200 | $142,000 |
| Full Prof | $162,800 | $198,000 |
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Associations for Political Communication
International Communication Association
A global organization that promotes research and scholarship in communication, including a dedicated division for political communication.
International Association for Media and Communication Research
An international body focused on advancing media and communication research worldwide, with a specific section on political communication.
American Political Science Association
A leading U.S. organization for political science professionals, featuring a section on political communication that explores the intersection of politics and media.
European Communication Research and Education Association
A European association dedicated to fostering communication research and education, including a political communication section that addresses media's role in politics.
Political Studies Association
A UK-based society promoting the study of politics, with a specialist group on media and politics that focuses on political communication.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
A U.S. nonprofit organization advancing journalism and mass communication education, including an interest group on political communication.
Australian and New Zealand Communication Association
A regional association supporting communication scholars in Australia and New Zealand, with research interests including political communication and media politics.
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