Academic Pathways
CCT offers a range of optional pathways to help students shape their academic experience. These pathways are flexible, not fixed tracks. You can follow one, combine two, or build your own. Use them as a guide for choosing courses, preparing for advising conversations, and thinking ahead to career goals. See below for the variety of pathways we offer, example courses of study, and real references of alumni careers that have stemmed from these pathways
Technology and Policy
Study the laws, regulations, and public policy shaping technology.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- AI governance and digital rights
- Tech regulation and platform accountability
- Institutional and legal analysis
Example Courses:
- Digital Law & Policy
- AI & Society
- Privacy & Surveillance
- Global Cyber Policy
- Online Safety
- Misinformation and Society
- Tech Impact Lab
Alumni Careers:
- Tech policy researcher
- Tech policy communications associate
- Privacy and security specialist
- Trust and safety team member
- Product Policy Manager
- Tech policy analyst
Communication Strategy
Build skills in strategic messaging, campaigns, and persuasive communications in media.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Campaigns, branding, advocacy, public affairs
- Audience research and media analytics
- Strategic storytelling for internal and external communications
Example Courses:
- Communication Theory
- Strategic and Corporate Communications
- Crisis and Risk Communications
- Multimedia Production for News and Narrative
- Data Storytelling
- Public Affairs and Advocacy Communications
- AI for Impact
Alumni Careers:
- Director of Strategic Communications
- Product Marketing Manager
- Corporate Communications Director
- Press Secretary
- Communications Associate
Cultural Studies
Explore culture, identity, media, and power through critical analysis.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Representation, race, gender, global media
- Ethics and institutional power
- Critical analysis and theory
Example Courses:
- Critical Theory and Contemporary Media
- Critical Studies in Journalism
- New Media & Texts Across Cultures
- Global Science Fiction Film
- Documentary Film
- Hollywood Studio System
- Diagrams & Dialogues
- Technologies of Reading & Writing
Alumni Careers:
- Multimedia Manager
- Program Coordinator / Manager (non-profit)
- Editorial Associate / Director
- Outreach Program Manager
Design
Learn the processes for creating change and solutions in digital, social, and technical systems.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Detailed work within a holistic worldview
- Finding and solving problems in organization and society
- Digital products and interactive systems
- Portfolio-building, project-based learning
Example Courses:
- Interaction Design
- Intro to Design Theory and Practice
- Design Rhetorics
- Graphic Design
- Remix Practics
- Product Design
- AI for Impact
- Data Visualization
- Diagrams & Dialogues
- Tech Impact Lab
Alumni Careers:
- UX Designer
- Product and Interaction Design
- Product Manager
- Digital Transformation Specialist
- Data Visualization & Storytelling
Entrepreneurial Innovation
Turn ideas into action through innovation, strategy, and leadership.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Startups or social ventures
- Innovation inside established organizations
- Strategy, iteration, and leadership
Example Courses:
- Strategic and Corporate Communications
- Interaction Design
- AI for Impact
- Sentiment Analysis
- Graphic Design
- Product Development in the New Digital Age
- Survey Methods
- Qualitative Methods
Alumni Careers:
- Founder / Co-Founder (start-up)
- Entrepreneur in Residence
- Business Development Associate
- Program Director (Think-tank and innovation)
- Community Manager (start-up, innovation, etc)
- Communications and Marketing (start-up)
Politics & Media
Study media systems, political communication, civic engagement, and governance.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Political communication
- Misinformation and digital media
- Law, regulation, and public policy
Example Courses:
- New Media, Politics, & Engagement
- Misinformation & Society
- Media & American Elections
- Privacy & Surveillance
- Critical Studies in Journalism
- Global Cyber Policy
- Survey Methods
- Social Media Analysis
- Content Analysis
Alumni Careers:
- Political communications director
- Public relations professional
- Policy director
- Campaign communications director
- Journalist
- Public Affairs
- Advocacy communications
Research Methods
Develop skills in quantitative, qualitative, and computational approaches to interdisciplinary research.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Data analysis and survey design
- Social media analytics
- Evidence-based strategy
Example Courses:
- Survey Research Methods
- Content Analysis
- Sentiment Analysis in Social Media
- Qualitative Methods
- Statistical Methodology
- Remix Practices
- Interaction Design
- Digital Law & Policy
- Critical Theory
Alumni Careers:
- Social science researcher
- Survey designer
- UX researcher
- Data analyst
- Audience and engagement analyst
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning analyst / officer
- Media research analyst
AI and Society
Examine how AI is changing communication, work, and society.
You might be drawn to this if you’re interested in:
- Safety for emerging technologies
- Building new tools
- Writing about society and technological change
Example Courses:
- AI & Society
- AI for Applied Impact
- Online Safety
- Tech Impact Lab
- Privacy & Surveillance
- Design Theory & Practice
- Communication Theory
- Product Development
- Critical studies in Journalism
Alumni Careers:
- AI Policy Analyst
- Public Internet Technology Specialist or Researcher
- Risk & Compliance Analyst
- AI Product Manager
- Program Officers & Directors (AI, Democracy, Human Rights focus)