PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING (MA)

Become a skilled practitioner of strategic communication

The award-winning master’s in Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) program at DePaul will prepare you for a successful career in the public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communications fields. With a focus on digital, social and traditional media strategy and techniques, you’ll gain the know-how and network to become a socially responsible and globally conscious practitioner.

You’ll graduate with more than a prestigious degree—you’ll have a portfolio of projects with renowned clients to show employers.

The program is typically completed in two year?s. Most classes are offered weekday evenings on the Loop Campus. Some classes are offered online. ?

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Learn in an epicenter of the PR & advertising world

More than 100 public relations and advertising agencies are located within a 10-block radius of the DePaul Loop Campus in Chicago. That means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for internships and work at top firms and agencies like Edelman, Weber Shandwick, Golin and Leo Burnett. Over 100 agency and corporate recruiting visits take place on campus each year.

Application Deadlines

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

Fall quarter: June 1
Winter quarter: November 2
Spring quarter: February 15

Admission Requirements

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

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Required Courses

You’ll take six core courses and six electives. Complete your degree with an e-portfolio presentation or master’s thesis.

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95%

of Public Relations and Advertising graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Top5

Named as one of the top 5 Public Relations programs in the country by PR Week for 6 years in a row (2014–2019).

Study culture and gender representation in advertising

Coursework with Tao Deng considers findings from his research on cultural differences and gender representation in the advertising industry. His previous studies explored women’s underrepresentation in the ad workforce around the world, especially in upper management roles. Deng is also a co-director of the Media Engagement Research Lab, where students and professors work on advanced projects in audience, brand and content analyses.

“You may start your journey as an individual, but with the support of your professors, staff and fellow students, you will gain a network that truly wants to see you succeed. The professors and staff [are] highly respected and knowledgeable. I also found my coursework valuable—we worked on projects and subjects relevant to today’s society.”

Fredericka (MA ’20)

Alumni Network

Virtually any major agency in Chicago has hired DePaul alumni from the master’s in Public Relations and Advertising program. Our alumni work in positions that range from account executives to copywriters to art directors. You’ll also benefit from connections to over 8,500 College of Communication alumni and the wider group of 180,000 university alumni.

Scholarships

The College of Communication offers a tuition award and scholarship opportunities. In addition, the Public Relations and Advertising program has a limited number of graduate assistantships. Learn more about the opportunities available to you.

Public Relations and Advertising MA Admission Requirements

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Application Materials

To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, applicants must demonstrate a capacity for achievement through past academic or professional work. 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. Admission decisions will be based on the following:

Online application and $40 application fee.
Official undergraduate transcript showing the completion of a bachelor's degree (minimum grade point average preferred is 3.0 on a 4-point scale).
Four essay questions (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 public relations and advertising 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: academic papers, scholarly articles, work-for-hire).
- Applicants without a background in public relations or advertising can submit an alternate writing sample.
Two or more letters of recommendation from work supervisors and faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional achievements. NOTE: At least one of the letters should ideally be from a faculty member, such as a former professor, and the second letter from a work supervisor or hiring manager, not a peer co-worker.
Résumé or curriculum vitae.
Official GRE scores (only required for students who have a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 in their undergraduate coursework). The GMAT will also be accepted in place of the GRE if an applicant has already completed the GMAT exam. The admission committee reserves the right to require the GRE after reviewing the applicants’ documents.

Alternate Writing Prompt

The following instructions offer an alternative writing sample option for applicants that do not have an undergraduate background in public relations or advertising.

Alternate Writing Sample Instructions

Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with PRAD program faculty as part of the application process. Interviews are held by video conference. The Office of Graduate Admission contacts applicants to schedule the interview, if one will be required.

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 PRAD 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 PRAD 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 2022-23 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 statement of purpose, 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 Deadlines

Admission decisions for College of Communication graduate programs are made on a rolling basis. However, the college establishes regular application deadlines for each program so that applicants can be fully considered for admission and financial aid. The preferred deadlines for each term are listed below.

Applicants will be considered for an admission scholarship at the time of review. Admission scholarships are based on merit. A minimum 3.7 GPA is required to be considered for an admission scholarship.

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.

Winter Quarter
We review applications for Winter quarter on a continuous basis. To be considered for winter admission, applicants should submit an application by December 1.

Spring Quarter
We review applications for Spring quarter on a continuous basis. To be considered for spring admission, applicants should submit an application by March 1.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the Public Relations and Advertising graduate program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Learn more about Graduate Admission.

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) requires 12 courses (48-credit hours).

Core Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Six core courses are required		24
PRAD 515	WRITING FOR A COMMUNICATION CAREER
PRAD 553	ADVERTISING FOUNDATIONS
PRAD 555	PUBLIC RELATIONS FOUNDATIONS
PRAD 575	COMMUNICATION ETHICS AND LAW
PRAD 585	RESEARCH, DATA AND INSIGHTS
Select one of the following:
PRAD 596	PERSONAL BRANDING AND CAREER STRATEGIES
PRAD 599	RESEARCH THESIS 1

Students who attain a 3.7 GPA or higher and obtain prior approval from the graduate program director have the option to complete a thesis instead of the portfolio. Approved students completing a thesis need to start the process at least 9-12 months prior to graduation and will enroll in PRAD 599 RESEARCH THESIS as their final course in the quarter they defend their thesis.?

Elective Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select six of the following: 1		24
PRAD 511	CONSUMER INSIGHTS
PRAD 512	ENGAGING LATINX COMMUNITIES
PRAD 514	CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING
PRAD 530	PR/AD AGENCY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
PRAD 536	ADVERTISING AND HEALTH CAMPAIGNS
PRAD 540	CRISIS COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
PRAD 550	INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS
PRAD 551	ADVERTISING AND COPYWRITING
PRAD 554	CREATIVE PROCESSES
PRAD 563	MEDIA PLANNING
PRAD 564	BUSINESS SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATORS
PRAD 590	PUBLIC RELATION & ADVERTISING WORKSHOP
PRAD 594	COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
PRAD 595	SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING
CMN 591	INTERNSHIP
CMN 592	INDEPENDENT STUDY
CMN 593	RESEARCH PRACTICUM
CMN 598	STUDY ABROAD

1	With approval of the graduate program director, students can take up to two ??relevant elective courses from other College of Communication graduate programs or relevant elective courses from other graduate departments/programs outside of the College of Communication.?

Portfolio

Students in the Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising program complete their degree requirements by submitting a comprehensive portfolio. Students present their portfolios and network with industry professionals at the annual Portfolio Showcase.

Master's Thesis

Students who attain a 3.7 GPA or higher and obtain prior approval from the graduate program director have the option to complete a thesis instead of the portfolio. Approved students completing a thesis need to start the process at least 9-12 months prior to graduation and will enroll in PRAD 599 as their final course in the quarter they defend their thesis.?

Optional Latino Media & Communication Concentration

The graduate concentration in Latino Media & Communication is comprised of at least three graduate courses drawn from the areas of advertising, journalism, media and cinema studies, multicultural communication, organizational communication and public relations. Graduate students in any of the College of Communication Master of Arts programs can elect to complete the Latino Media & Communication concentration. Students may need to use outside electives to complete this concentration.

Students who complete the concentration will:

Develop an understanding of the heterogeneous and rapidly changing Latino communities locally, nationally and globally
Ground their knowledge of intercultural studies within a more extensive and concrete knowledge of a particular (even though diverse), rapidly growing, and increasingly important population within the U.S.
Increase their cross-cultural competence (understanding and ability to dialogue across difference, develop cultural sensitivity and awareness) with Latino communities
Enhance their capacity to communicate with and learn from Latino populations in the workplace, in community situations and other sites of engagement
Recognize the impact of the movement of Latinos across the globe and develop the skills to critically consume and produce media, public relations and advertisement representations that communicate to and about Latino communities
Develop field-specific knowledge of Latino media and communication along with an understanding of how Latino studies shapes other fields of communication

Students are required to take three courses (12 credits) from the following list:

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CMNS 509	SPECIAL TOPICS IN MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION 1
CMNS 542	MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE
JOUR 515	SPECIAL TOPICS IN JOURNALISM 1
MCS 521	TOPICS IN CINEMA STUDIES 1
MCS 533	LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA/MEDIA
PRAD 511	CONSUMER INSIGHTS
PRAD 512	ENGAGING LATINX COMMUNITIES
PRAD 514	CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING 1
PRAD 595	SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING 1
CMN 591	INTERNSHIP 1
CMN 598	STUDY ABROAD 1

Topic must be related to Latino Media and Communication.

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.

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For high-performing College of Communication undergraduates, the combined bachelor’s + master’s degree program in Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) may be an option.?

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