Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen. In particular, these molecular adjuvants are employed in compositions designed to deliver the specific immunogen to antigen presenting cells and simultaneously deliver signals to those cells that produce the desired immune response. Methods are also disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.