Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to apply for the MA in Journalism?
Q: Do I need an undergraduate degree in journalism or previous professional journalism experience?
Q: What is distinctive about DePaul's MA Journalism program?
Q: Does the graduate program offer a joint degree for students already pursuing their BA in Journalism?
Q: What are the deadlines for applying to DePaul's MA in Journalism Program?
Q: How many courses and credit hours do I need to complete the program?
Q: Where and when are classes taught?
Q: Does this program provide the opportunity to study or work abroad?
Q: Does the program accept transfer credit from other institutions?
Q: Does the journalism grad program offer scholarships?
Q: When can I take internships and how many can I take?
Q: When do classes begin?
Q: How do I register for classes?
Q: Does the program offer summer classes?
Q: Is there affordable parking near the Loop campus?
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
Q: What types of housing are available to me?
Q: Does DePaul have a recreational facility I can use?
Q: Can I get a U-Pass?
Q: What jobs are there for journalism graduates?
What do I need to apply for the MA in Journalism?
Students seeking admission to the Masters in Journalism program must:
- Fill out an application form
- Have earned a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college
- Submit an official undergraduate transcript in which the student achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
- Provide a statement of purpose of 750 words, explaining why the student is seeking admission to the program
- Submit a writing sample or project that demonstrates the applicant's journalistic ability.
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit a resume
For students who completed their undergraduate education outside the
Do I need an undergraduate degree in journalism or previous professional journalism experience?
An undergraduate degree in journalism and previous professional journalism experience is not necessary for enrollment but is definitely helpful. Nearly one-third of our students have not had extensive training or professional experience in journalism. We have constructed JOUR 515 Writing and Reporting to give them the foundational skills in journalism they'll need to be successful in the program.
What is distinctive about DePaul's MA Journalism program?
The MA in Journalism prepares our graduates for work and service in the rapidly changing profession of journalism. Stories must now be told in multiple platforms-- -print, broadcast, audio, video, and on the internet. Reporters must learn to conceptualize and present stories for these diverse outlets. The program emphasizes the responsibility of journalists to contribute to the informed citizenry who make democracy and social justice possible. Students will actively engage and critically examine digital technologies in our state-of-the-art Loop Campus facilities.
Our program is situated in the heart of the nation's third largest media market and emphasizes experiential learning with some of Chicago's finest and most experienced reporters and editors. Students will develop the skills to construct news narratives that add value to stories that serve citizens in this intensively competitive and extraordinarily promising moment in journalism's history.
Does the graduate program offer a joint degree for students already pursuing their BA in Journalism?
Yes, the program includes a 5-year BA/MA option for continuing DePaul students.
Students seeking admission to the five-year BA/MA in Journalism must:
- Apply for the program in their junior year. However, during the program's inaugural year, students may apply for admission to the program in the summer after their senior year.
- Apply only after completing the three core
- Take three graduate courses in their senior year. These courses cannot be used to replace their core requirements but can be used to replace Communication electives, open electives, or Journalism track electives. These three graduate courses will then be double-counted for the applicant's BA and MA degree
- Fill out an applicant form
- Submit an official transcript with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 in Communication courses and an overall GPA of 3.00 on a four-point scale
- Provide a statement of purpose of 750 words explaining why the student is seeking admission to the program
- Submit a writing sample or project that demonstrate the applicant's ability in journalism
- Submit two letters of recommendation
Applications will be reviewed and admission decisions made by the program director and program advisory board. The program director and advisory board will be able to consider special circumstances of individuals petitioning for admission to the program.
What are the deadlines for applying to DePaul's MA in Journalism Program?
The program has a rolling admission policy. Completed applications are forwarded to the graduate board in journalism from the graduate admission office. Graduate board members then review the file and make their decision within the week. Applicants who are accepted into the program begin their studies in the quarter of their choice. These quarters begin in early September, early January, late March, mid June and mid July.
How many courses and credit hours do I need to complete the program?
The Master of Arts in Journalism requires 12 courses---three core courses, a minimum of six elective courses in journalism, and a maximum of three cross-listed electives. Students must maintain a 3.0 average in their graduate work to remain in good academic standing. Students who drop below this average will be put on academic probation and will be expected to achieve the minimum requirement within two quarters. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.
Where and when are classes taught?
The majority of graduate journalism classes are taught in
Does this program provide the opportunity to study or work abroad?
Yes. Several students have studied abroad by arranging independent studies through DePaul media faculty.
Does the program accept transfer credit from other institutions?
We will accept a maximum of three graduate courses from other universities if those courses can be applied to the student's graduate education in journalism.
Does the journalism grad program offer scholarships?
The MA Journalism program does offer a scholarship based on merit and the applicant's proposal which adds value to the journalism program. Two such scholarships were given in 2008-2009. Other students have applied for low interest government loans through www.fafsa.gov.
When can I take internships and how many can I take?
All graduate journalism students have the option of a graduate level internship and taking CMN 591 as an elective in your graduate program. The student must have completed his or her three core classes in the program to be eligible for internship credit. For more information on graduate internships at DePaul, click here.
When do classes begin?
Please reference DePaul's Academic Calendar for important term dates and information.
How do I register for classes?
All registration is handled via the Campus Connection Web site.
Does the program offer summer classes?
There are two sets of summer classes in the graduate journalism program at DePaul. Each class meets twice weekly for three hours for five weeks for a total of 30 contact hours. For a full list of potential summer classes, please refer to Campus Connection.
Is there affordable parking near the Loop campus?
• Grant Park Garage (underground):
Van Buren and
• Monroe Street Garage (underground):
• Crosstown
• Auditorium Garage: 65 East Congress**
• General Parking Corporation: 55 East
•
•
• Mid City Parking: 219 South
How do I apply for financial aid?
Please visit DePaul's Financial Aid Web site for all information on tuition and financial aid opportunities.
What types of housing are available to me?
As soon as a new first year student receives admittance to the University, he or she is encouraged to submit a Housing Agreement with their Campus Connect information. Current students should visit http://housing.depaul.edu/current/index.aspx for details on the current year's opening and the process for next year. For a full list of housing FAQ's, click here.
Does DePaul have a recreational facility I can use?
Graduate, part-time undergraduate, and law students can purchase a membership each quarter/semester they are enrolled; a DePaul ID is required. Students enrolled in the spring quarter/semester have the option of purchasing a summer membership. For recreational facility rates, click here.
Can I get a U-Pass?
All full-time journalism graduate students are eligible to receive a U-Pass. Click here for full details.
What jobs are there for journalism graduates?
Two hundred fifty thousand web pages are being produced every week in the