JOURNALISM (MA)
Tell the stories that matter
Gain sought-after skills as an adaptable, data-literate multimedia journalist. With an MA in Journalism from DePaul, you’ll graduate with more than an academic understanding of journalism and its impact on the world; you’ll have a solid professional network and robust portfolio to show employers.
Create socially responsible, accurate and impactful digital, print, and broadcast content using the latest reporting tools. Whether you’re an active professional looking to expand your knowledge and network, or your bachelor’s degree is in another field and you want to pivot to journalism—you’ll leave DePaul headed to the next step of your writing, editing or production career.
The program is typically completed in two years. Most classes are offered weekday evenings on the Loop or Lincoln Park Campuses. Some classes are offered during the day or online. ?
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Study in the third-largest media market in the country
Our location in the heart of Chicago puts you in the middle of one of the nation’s main news hubs. You’ll benefit from partnerships, projects, and faculty and alumni connections with the organizations and outlets surrounding our campus. Each year, nearly 300 graduate and undergraduate students intern locally at places like WTTW/Channel 11, WXRT-FM, ABC7, NBC Universal, Telemundo, CBS 2, Comcast SportsNet, Tribune Publishing and the Chicago Reader.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Students may be admitted to the program for the fall, winter, or spring quarters.
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, official transcripts, statement of purpose, writing sample, and résumé or curriculum vitae.
Required Courses
You’ll take three core journalism courses and up to nine electives.
94%
of Journalism graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
30+
Our student media outlets received more than 30 major student journalism awards in 2019–20.
Work on projects with global perspectives
College of Communication faculty reach across DePaul and beyond our campus as they work on projects and initiatives. In 2020, Associate Professor Hai Tran partnered with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank baesd in Washington, D.C. Students in his special topics course connected with policy experts and veteran journalists to produce a special reporting project on disputes and environmental issues impacting the South China Sea.
“I had the ability to tailor my program experience and gained practical first-hand experience and knowledge in running social media accounts and blogs. I was also able to improve my photography skills and networked with industry professionals. Years later, I look for trends and analyze marketing campaigns, working with a lot of numbers. The research skills I learned in graduate school can still be applied today.”
Craig (MA ’09)
Digital Insights Manager, Pegula Sports and Entertainment
Alumni Network
DePaul Journalism alumni are actively working across print, digital and broadcast, connecting you to jobs at outlets and organizations such as WGN News, The Chicago Tribune, the International Human Rights Law Institute, Huffington Post, The Associated Press, Reuters Health, Poynter Institute, WBEZ Chicago Public Radio and Vogue, as well as Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC affiliate stations across the country.
Scholarships
The College of Communication offers a tuition award and scholarship opportunities. In addition, the Journalism program has a limited number of graduate assistantships that include a one-course tuition waiver. Learn more about the opportunities available to you.
Journalism MA Admission Requirements
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- Application Materials
- Requirements for International Students
- Tuition Award Available
- Submitting Materials
- Application Deadlines
- Information Sessions
- Apply
Application Materials
To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Journalism, 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).
- A statement of purpose (750 words) explaining why the student is seeking admission to the program.
- Journalism work samples (newspaper clips and/or hyperlinks to video, demo reels, audio, photo essays, data visualizations, journalism portfolios to demonstrate experience and familiarity with news reporting and production)
- For applicants without a background in journalism, you can complete a journalism aptitude test.
- Résumé or curriculum vitae.
- GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted to strengthen an application.
Journalism Aptitude Test
The following instructions offer a journalism aptitude test option for applicants that do not have an undergraduate or professional background in journalism.
Journalism Aptitude Test Instructions
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 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 are required to take coursework in DePaul's English Language Academy until their English language proficiency reaches the level required for full admission.
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, resume, and work sample or aptitude test 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 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 Journalism graduate program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
The Master of Arts in Journalism requires 12 courses (48-credit hours) — three core courses, a minimum of six elective courses in Journalism, and a maximum of three outside electives.
Core Courses
Students are required to take all of the following:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 501 | THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF JOURNALISM | 4 |
| JOUR 502 | NEWS NOW: JOURNALISM IN THE INFORMATION AGE | 4 |
| JOUR 503 | REPORTING FOR CONVERGED NEWSROOMS | 4 |
|
Combined degree students who took JOUR 280 during their undergraduate program can substitute any of the following courses for JOUR 503: |
||
|
JOUR 504 |
MULTIMEDIA NEWS PRODUCTION | |
|
JOUR 505 |
TELEVISION NEWS REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 506 |
NEWSCAST PRODUCING | |
|
JOUR 507 |
VISUAL COMMUNICATION | |
|
JOUR 521 |
SPORTS PRODUCING | |
|
JOUR 522 |
MULTI-PLATFORM NEWS EDITING | |
|
JOUR 587 |
SOUND AND VISION | |
Journalism Electives
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of six courses from the following list: 1 | 24 | |
|
JOUR 504 |
MULTIMEDIA NEWS PRODUCTION | |
|
JOUR 505 |
TELEVISION NEWS REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 506 |
NEWSCAST PRODUCING | |
|
JOUR 507 |
VISUAL COMMUNICATION | |
|
JOUR 509 |
JOURNALISM LAW AND ETHICS | |
|
JOUR 510 |
SPORTS REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 511 |
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 512 |
BUSINESS WRITING AND REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 513 |
POLITICAL REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 514 |
OPINION AND COLUMN WRITING | |
|
JOUR 515 |
SPECIAL TOPICS IN JOURNALISM | |
|
JOUR 517 |
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN JOURNALISM | |
|
JOUR 518 |
WRITING AND REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 519 |
INTERNATIONAL REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 520 |
DATA JOURNALISM | |
|
JOUR 521 |
SPORTS PRODUCING | |
|
JOUR 522 |
MULTI-PLATFORM NEWS EDITING | |
|
JOUR 523 |
ONLINE SPORTS REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 524 |
WRITING FOR THE DEPAULIA | |
|
JOUR 525 |
URBAN AFFAIRS REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 526 |
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION | |
|
JOUR 527 |
LIFESTYLE REPORTING | |
|
JOUR 528 |
REPORTING FOR GOOD DAY DEPAUL | |
|
JOUR 529 |
ONLINE NEWS BUREAU | |
|
JOUR 530 |
RADIO NEWS | |
|
JOUR 531 |
JOURNALISM BY NUMBERS | |
|
JOUR 532 |
THE PRESS AND THE PRESIDENCY | |
|
JOUR 533 |
JOURNALISM & FREEDOM OF INFORMATION | |
|
JOUR 534 |
TOPICS IN PHOTOJOURNALISM | |
|
JOUR 535 |
RADIO DEPAUL | |
|
JOUR 536 |
SPORTS BLOGGING | |
|
JOUR 537 |
FROM FRANKLIN TO THE INTERNET: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM | |
|
JOUR 538 |
MASS COMMUNICATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE | |
|
JOUR 539 |
CURRENT ISSUES IN THE JOURNALISM INDUSTRY | |
|
JOUR 540 |
THE INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY, AND POLITICS | |
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JOUR 541 |
MASS MEDIA & AMERICAN POLITICS | |
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JOUR 542 |
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE NEWS | |
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JOUR 543 |
LONG FORM REPORTING | |
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JOUR 544 |
ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNALISM | |
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JOUR 546 |
PHOTOJOURNALISM FOR STUDENT MEDIA | |
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JOUR 548 |
ADVANCED GRADUATE REPORTING FOR GOOD DAY DePAUL | |
|
JOUR 551 |
ADVANCED REPORTING I | |
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JOUR 552 |
ADVANCED REPORTING II | |
|
JOUR 553 |
SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTING I | |
|
JOUR 554 |
SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTING II | |
|
JOUR 587 |
SOUND AND VISION | |
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JOUR 588 |
REPORTING FOR 14 EAST MAGAZINE | |
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JOUR 590 |
JOURNALISM WORKSHOP | |
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JOUR 598 |
JOURNALISM STUDY AWAY/ABROAD | |
|
ACT 500 |
VOICE AND DICTION:FOR BROADCAST AND COMMUNICATION | |
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CMN 591 |
INTERNSHIP | |
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CMN 592 |
INDEPENDENT STUDY | |
|
CMN 593 |
RESEARCH PRACTICUM | |
|
CMN 598 |
STUDY ABROAD | |
| 1 |
Students who wish to earn one of the three concentrations should see "Concentration Requirements" page to help guide their elective course choices. |
Outside Electives
With approval from the graduate program director, students can take up to three relevant elective courses from other Communication graduate programs, or relevant graduate elective courses from outside of Communication. Examples of courses students have taken previously are:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
CMNS 545 |
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY | |
|
CMNS 552 |
RELATIONSHIPS AND INFLUENCE IN THE WORKPLACE | |
|
CMNS 563 |
MULTICULTURAL MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS | |
|
MCS 530 |
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE | |
|
MCS 541 |
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY | |
|
PRAD 562 |
MEDIA RELATIONS | |
|
PRAD 575 |
COMMUNICATION ETHICS AND LAW |
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 |
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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