Student Resources

Gain significant advantages with internships, scholarships, special pre-law and honors classes, and off-campus programs in the U.S. and abroad

Internships

Learn more about Communications internship opportunities

Rigorous coursework combined with work experience gives SMU students a competitive edge upon graduation. Corporate Communication and Public Affairs students apply for internship credit as they enter their senior year and can work in corporate, nonprofit, or government settings in locations including Dallas, Washington, D.C., New York, Taos and London. Dallas is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and global agencies, providing ample opportunities for internships with organizations including Southwest Airlines, Burson-Marsteller, AT&T, Dallas Cowboys, George W. Bush Presidential Center and Golin. Many students complete multiple internships over the course of their studies.

SMU-in-London

SMU-in-London is a rewarding summer program designed especially for SMU communication students. Students can earn up to 12 hours of academic credit. It is based at Regent's College, located in the heart of London in beautiful Regent's Park. Students also travel to cities outside London on group outings and independently. Classes are taught by Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Advertising, and Journalism faculty, and also include an internship program.

Application is required for admission to the program.

SMU-in-Taos

Since 1997, students have gone to SMU’s beautiful 300-acre campus in Taos, New Mexico to study the nonprofit sector. In addition to class time (during which students master writing specifically for nonprofit organizations), students also intern for local nonprofits such as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Rocky Mountain Youth Corp, Taos Art Association, Habitat for Humanity, Millicent Rogers Museum and Casa De Corazon. Students complete professional-quality materials for the audiences specific to the nonprofit while living at Fort Burgwin, a restored 19th-century fort in the Carson National Forest.

Washington Studies Program

Corporate Communication and Public Affairs is partnered with American University to support a semester-long Washington, D.C. curriculum. Additionally, shorter seminars are scheduled yearly as part of our "Hilltop on the Hill" program. During presidential election years, student programs are offered at both the Democratic and Republican national conventions and at the Inauguration, Black Tie & Boots Ball, and other events.

SMU Chapter of PRSSA

Since its inception in 1968, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has adopted and taught ethical and professional public relations principles. There are significant benefits to joining the SMU Chapter of the PRSSA, including access to guest lecturers, nationwide job opportunities, conferences, scholarships, developing a business network, through PRSA Dallas, and more. PRSSA will help you launch your career in the world of public relations.

Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Honors Program

Students may apply for admission to the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs honors track after completion of 45 credit hours with a 3.5 overall GPA or better. To graduate with honors, students must take six hours of honors-designated Corporate Communication and Public Affairs courses and the CCPA 4375 Honors Thesis in Communication Theory course. Students accepted to the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs honors track must maintain a 3.5 or higher overall GPA in all SMU coursework to graduate with the honors distinction. The top 10 percent of each class is eligible for faculty nomination into Kappa Tau Alpha, the national communication honor society.

mustangconsulting

mustangconsulting is a student-run communications agency that allows top students in the Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs to apply theory, research, and skills in the service of clients. Led by Associate Professor Dr. Maria Dixon Hall, the agency specializes in long-term communication research and strategy development for corporate, nonprofit, and religious organizations. The firm has served industry leaders such as Southwest Airlines (Dallas), Dance Theatre of Harlem (New York), Texas Ballet Theatre (Fort Worth), The Ugandan American Partnership Organization (Jinga), The Lydia Patterson Institute (El Paso), and the General Commission of Communication of the United Methodist Church (Nashville).

With a reputation for outstanding work, mustangconsulting often acquires new clients by recommendation from its satisfied clients.

Selection of participating students is competitive and by invitation. A rigorous application process is required.

mustangconsulting’s work has been featured on CBS, Fox News, The Dallas Morning News, D Magazine, and The New York Times.

Pre-Law Scholars Program

The Pre-Law Scholars program is an outstanding opportunity offered to Corporate Communication and Public Affairs students through SMU’s acclaimed Dedman School of Law. Students coming into SMU with a pre-declared interest in law may be selected to participate in the pre-law program. If they complete their undergraduate degree and meet all of the pre-law scholars program requirements, they will be automatically admitted to SMU law. This one-hour course is taught by a Dedman law professor.

Scholarships

Communication honors scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding Corporate Communication and Public Affairs majors. The Douglas Bauer Incentive Scholarship Award and the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Advisory Board Scholarship Award are competitive scholarships available to Corporate Communication and Public Affairs majors through an annual application process that takes place during the spring term. Awards apply to the following academic year.

More Information

For information on any Corporate Communication and Public Affairs programs, contact:

Melissa Keene
Director for Administrative Affairs
Corporate Communication and Public Affairs
mkeene@smu.edu
214-768-3425

Additional scholarships may be available to SMU students. Read about SMU scholarships and Meadows scholarships.