Corporate Communication and Public Affairs

The Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA) prepares majors to be leaders in business, government and civil society. We provide internship, consulting and applied research opportunities with world-class corporate, nonprofit and political organizations in Dallas, Washington, D.C., London and points beyond. We prepare majors for the leadership path to chief communication officer, executive director, founder, entrepreneur and more.

SMU Impact Lab Selects First Round of Grant Recipients

The SMU Impact Lab has chosen its first five organizations to receive investment funding from the program after a rigorous application process.

Featured Courses

ASAG 1301

Survey of Corporate Communications
and Public Affairs

Introduces students interested in majoring in CCPA to the different areas of study and career opportunities available in corporate communication and public affairs. Includes speakers, exercises, and personal assessments to plan one’s path through the major.

ASAG 2308

Introduction to Newswriting
for Public Relations

Introduces basic media writing, research, and interviewing skills, as well as AP style for news, features, and press releases.

ASAG 3335

Principles of Digital Communication
and Social Media

Addresses the fundamentals, strengths, and weaknesses of each significant social media channel. Includes blog writing, statistics, search engine optimization, and plan writing for a client.

ASAG 3328

Politcal Persuasion

Assesses techniques of persuasion and personal influence through the force of ethos that resides in the personality and reputation of the speaker. Develops skills through case analysis, examples, and exercises to develop awareness of the power, ethics, and effectiveness of persuasion.

Alumni Spotlight: Erin Fischer

Alumni CCPA alum Erin Fischer (B.A. ’03) discovered her passion for nonprofit leadership at Meadows and has built a career bringing people together around missions that make a difference.

September 21, 2026
Meadows Welcomes Eight New Faculty Members for the 2026-27 Academic Year

Faculty Join us in welcoming eight new faculty members to Meadows, in divisions ranging from art and art history to film and music, and learn more about these new members of our community.

August 24, 2026
Figure 3: Palmer Beldy

Meadows on the Mic: Palmer Beldy – Creative Content, The National Geographic Society

Alumni Advertising alum Palmer Beldy discusses her time at SMU Meadows and working for the National Geographic Society.

July 15, 2026
Meet the First Graduates of SMU’s M.A. in Arts and Nonprofit Leadership

Students Hear from the inaugural cohort as they reflect on their experiences in the program and the leadership paths they’re pursuing after graduation.

June 17, 2026

Corporate Communication and Public Affairs