Gain the tools to advance your communication career

DePaul’s new Professional Communication MA program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to advance your career. Through this online master’s in communication, you’ll become a purpose-driven, socially responsible leader in the workplace and beyond.

Our accelerated program provides you with the flexibility to fit your busy schedule and complete your master’s degree in just one year.

Learn from award-winning faculty with strong academic credentials, industry experience and a commitment to student mentoring and professional development. Through our master’s in Professional Communication program, you’ll take all of your classes as a cohort—a team of academic colleagues with a wide range of communication backgrounds—as you learn together, build lifelong relationships with each other and grow your professional network.

You’ll also participate in two optional in-person residencies, designed to foster strong connections between you and your cohort members, professors, alumni and industry leaders from numerous Chicago-based organizations.

For your final graduation project, you’ll work on a real-world communication challenge that benefits an organization’s stakeholders and builds your portfolio.

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Connections in a dynamic communication market

Chicago is a hub for the communication industry. Our professors are closely connected to corporations and institutions, ad agencies and PR firms, and print, online and broadcast media outlets in the market. And with their help, you’ll build your professional portfolio and establish your own connections, too.

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. Priority deadlines for scholarships are as follows:

• Fall quarter: August 15

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, official transcripts, essay questions, writing sample, letters of recommendation and résumé.

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Required Courses

You’ll take 12 courses and participate in two weekend residencies. Complete your degree with a final project.

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92%

of College of Communication master’s degree recipients were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Explore social issues with expert faculty

You’ll take classes with Kate Cooper, whose research focuses on the nonprofit sector. She studies how organizations attempt to solve social issues in education, refugee populations, and gender-based violence. She recently co-authored a book, “Networks for Social Impact,” examining ways that nonprofit groups, businesses, and governments work together to address problems.

“DePaul’s MA in Professional Communication prepares professionals to navigate the economy of ideas using the currency of communication. The program combines theory and practical application, which helps you master both the messaging and communication channels. The College of Communication made a lasting impact on my career. My MA program gave me the confidence to inform, influence and engage others as I pursue the goals of my organization and clients.”

Arbin (CMN MA ’00)

The Hackett Group 

Scholarships

The College of Communication offers a tuition award and scholarship opportunities. Learn more about the opportunities available to you.

Professional Communication Admission Requirements

Jump to:

• Application Materials
• Requirements for International Students
• Submitting Materials
• Application Deadlines
• Information Sessions
• Apply

Application Materials

The College of Communication looks at each application as a unique presentation of a candidate’s profile and will consider a variety of information sources. To be eligible for the professional communication program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have a previous GPA of 3.0 (preferred) on a 4.0 scale. In addition, they must demonstrate, through past academic or professional work, a capacity for achievement.

• Online application and $40 application fee.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended (minimum grade point average preferred is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• Four essay questions (should be saved as .doc or .pdf and uploaded into online application or e-mailed to gradcom@depaul.edu):
  • What factors contribute to your decision to enter graduate school now?
  • How does studying professional communication relate to your personal and professional goals? (In your response, identify how this program suits your specific needs, goals, interests, etc.)
  • What demonstrates your suitability for graduate study in this program? Build an argument for your admission.
  • What understandings should admission reviewers bring to a reading of your application? (What additional information or explanations seem important?)
• Writing sample that demonstrates an applicant's ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a variety of audiences (for example: professional communication writing for internal or external stakeholders or academic papers and scholarly articles).
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae.

International Students

An English language examination is required for applicants who have completed their undergraduate education outside the USA. The College of Communication requires the following English language proficiency scores for consideration of admission to any of its graduate programs:

Test Type	Minimum Score for Full Admission	Minimum Score for Conditional Admission
TOEFL Internet-based version	96 (each section at least 22)	79 (each section at least 17)
TOEFL computer-based version	243	213
TOEFL paper version	590	550
Duolingo	130	110
IELTS	7.5	6.5

Students who accept conditional admission into the MA Professional Communication program are required to take coursework in DePaul's English Language Academy until their English language proficiency exceed all of the minimum levels required for consideration of full admission. Only upon successful completion of the English Language Academy are conditionally admitted students permitted to then enroll in the MA Professional Communication graduate courses.

International students (those who were educated outside of the U.S. and/or require an F1 visa) must take additional steps to be considered for admission. Please review International Student Admission for exact information.

Tuition Award Available for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

DePaul is offering a tuition award to new students starting a College of Communication graduate program in Autumn, Winter or Spring quarters. The tuition award is for $525 toward each four-credit hour course – up to two courses per term. The award amounts to a total of $6,300 towards a twelve-course graduate program and $6,825 towards a thirteen-course graduate program.?

For details including eligibility requirements, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (773) 325-4405 or gradcom@depaul.edu.?

Submitting Materials

Application materials including the essay questions, writing samples and resume can be uploaded directly into the online application. Applicants also have the option of submitting the application without these items and emailing them separately to gradcom@depaul.edu. Students may request recommendations through the online application and track whether they have been submitted.

Transcripts (and letters of recommendation not submitted through the online application) should be mailed to:

Office of Graduate Admission
College of Communication
DePaul University
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-2287

Application credentials (including official electronic transcripts) also can be emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission at gradcom@depaul.edu. Please make sure your name is on all documents.

Application Deadline

Fall Quarter
We review applications for Fall quarter on a continuous basis. To be considered for fall admission, applicants should submit an application by August 15.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the Professional Communication graduate program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Learn more about Graduate Admission.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Professional Communication (PROCMN) requires 12 courses (46 credit hours). 

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Autumn Quarter
PROCMN 500	PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION ORIENTATION AND RESIDENCY I 1	2
PROCMN 501	THE FUTURE OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	4
PROCMN 510	DIGITAL MEDIA SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	4
December Session
PROCMN 520	WRITING FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION CAREERS	4
PROCMN 530	PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION LAW, POLICY AND ETHICS	2
Winter Quarter
PROCMN 540	RESEARCH METHODS AND INSIGHTS FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	4
PROCMN 550	EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN TEAMS	4
Spring Quarter
PROCMN 560	TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	4
PROCMN 570	EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH EMPLOYEES	4
Summer Session I
PROCMN 580	DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	4
PROCMN 590	CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: ADVISING AND COUNSELING LEADERSHIP	4
Summer Session II
PROCMN 599	PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION FINAL PROJECT AND RESIDENCY II	6
Total Hours		46

1

The PROCMN 500 Professional Communication Orientation I and Residency occurs prior to the start of Autumn quarter. 

Residencies

Students in the PROCMN program will participate in virtual or in-person weekend residencies at the beginning and end of the program. These residencies allow students to further connect with fellow classmates, professors, college alumni and industry professionals. 

Grade Requirements

All students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 in their coursework. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.000, the student will be allowed to complete an additional 16 credits or 3 quarters (whichever comes first) to attain the 3.000 minimum GPA. If the cumulative GPA remains below a 3.000 at the conclusion of this time period, the student may be dismissed from the program. The student's cumulative and term GPAs along with overall academic performance will be factored into the dismissal decision.