At the intersection of scholarship and activism

The master’s in Critical Ethnic Studies will prepare you for advanced analysis of race and ethnicity in an urban and global context. Using an interdisciplinary and antiracist perspective to critique global and local power, the program emphasizes social justice and transformation while focusing on U.S. ethno-racial populations through intersectional, decolonial, transnational, international and urban frameworks.

The Critical Ethnic Studies program draws on DePaul’s expertise across disciplines, including:

• African and Black Diaspora Studies
•  
• English
•  
• Communication
•  
• Global Asian Studies
•  
• History
•  
• International Studies
•  
• Islamic World Studies
•  
• Latin American and Latino/a Studies
•  
• LGBTQ Studies
•  
• Sociology
•  
• Women’s and Gender Studies

Core courses are offered in the evening at the Lincoln Park Campus, and electives are offered online and on the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses in the evening or during the day. The master’s in Critical Ethnic Studies can be completed in two years.

Request More InfoAdmission EventsApply

An urban classroom in a global city

DePaul’s location in the heart of Chicago allows you to take advantage of the city’s rich resources for research and collaboration with non-profit organizations, presenting countless opportunities to develop community-engaged scholarship.

Application Deadlines

The master’s in Critical Ethnic Studies has a rolling admission deadline.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, official transcripts, a personal statement and writing sample.

Learn More

Required Courses

You’ll take five core courses, two theory and research methods courses, and four courses in your concentration. You’ll also complete an internship, thesis or final project.

Learn More

 

1st

DePaul is the first university in the nation to offer a graduate program in Critical Ethnic Studies.

 

95%

of Critical Ethnic Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Learn from critical ethnic studies experts

You’ll work with professors like Laura Kina, St. Vincent de Paul Professor of art, media and design, and director of critical ethnic studies. Kina’s background comes from her BFA in Painting and Drawing and MFA in Studio Art. She serves as the lead curator for the Virtual Asian American Art Museum, and has exhibited nationally and internationally. She brings her real-world expertise to the classroom and you’ll have the opportunity to learn from her and other faculty who come from a variety of backgrounds.

“I had a strong support system of teachers and leaders that I could reference and draw from when faced with adverse challenges. They have taught me how to navigate spaces where I may not be valued or seen and, most importantly, to use my differences as my power. These are things many of my clients live through and benefit from in art therapy, and this is the experience of many emerging artists of color who I work with.”

Michael (MA ’20)

SkyART, Youth Support Manager / FLXST Contemporary, Gallery Manager

Alumni Network

You’ll join a diverse network of 180,000 DePaul alumni working in Chicago and all over the world, allowing you to grow your professional and academic connections.

Scholarships & Aid

Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission students must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

To apply for admission, please submit the following:

• A completed online application, which can be found at go.depaul.edu/apply
• Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
• Personal Statement/statement of purpose (300-500 words)
• Writing sample (academic writing of approximately 2,000 words)
• Letters of recommendation are not required but can be submitted to strengthen an application (letterhead, signed, scanned, PDF) emailed to GradDePaul@depaul.edu

HOW TO APPLY

Online applications can be submitted at go.depaul.edu/apply.

Transcripts and other required credentials should be mailed to:

The Office of Graduate Admission
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
DePaul University
2400 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Application credentials (including official electronic transcripts) also can be emailed to The Office of Graduate Admission at GradDePaul@depaul.edu.

*Please make sure your legal name is on all submitted documents.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students interested in applying should review the international graduate admission page for more information about credential evaluation and document submission. For more information about the minimum TOEFL scores required, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at GradDePaul@depaul.edu or at (773) 325-7315.

Learn more about Graduate Admission.

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

Core Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CES 401	CRITICAL ETHNIC STUDIES	4
CES 402	MOBILITY AND THE STATE	4
CES 403	CITIES AND RACIAL FORMATION	4
CES 404	BORDERS AND MIGRATION	4
or INT 404	MIGRATION AND FORCED MIGRATION
CES 405	RACE AND THE MEDIA	4
or CMNS 563	MULTICULTURAL MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS

Choose One Theory/Social Movements Course

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
INT 401	CRITICAL SOCIAL THEORY
SOC 466	SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
WGS 400	FEMINIST THEORIES
Select an elective (with CES director permission)

Choose One Research Methods Course

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CMNS 581	QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
GEO 441	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
HST 422	SEMINAR IN PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
SCG 610	INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
SOC 411	SOCIAL RESEARCH
SOC 413	QUALITATIVE METHODS
WGS 491	METHODS AND SCHOLARSHIP IN WOMEN'S & GENDER STUDIES

Concentration Electives

Students must choose four elective courses in an area of concentration. Electives are defined as either 400-level courses or up to two 300-level courses in departments including but not limited to African and Black Diaspora Studies, English, Global Asian Studies, History, International Studies, Islamic World Studies, Latin American and Latino/a Studies, LGBTQ Studies, Sociology, Women's and Gender Studies, and courses in the College of Communication. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the CES director or final project advisor.

Final Project Requirements

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CES 412	FINAL PROJECT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH	4-8

Students are asked to complete a final project, one that will represent a culmination of the student’s work in the program. All projects will consist of a rigorous piece of writing, either reflective, analytical, or expository. This piece of writing will draw upon the writing intensive skills developed in all their coursework. Final project options are as follows:

1. ?An original research thesis of up to 50–80 pages on a topic agreed upon by the student's committee. The thesis may be comparative or focus on a single ethnic or racialized group through the use of intersectional methodologies.
2. A portfolio of three high-quality essays completed during the program, which are curated and linked together by a 20-page narrative setting out the intellectual rationale for their compilation.
3. A completed internship with a community organization in order to gain practical experience and a 20-page essay reflecting on the links between the student's intellectual work and practical work experience.
4. An original creative project and a 15-20 page framing paper, in which the student describes, critically frames, and reflects on the creative project.

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.

??