College of Communication > Academics > Digital Communication and Media Arts > Graduate Program > Digital Communication and Media Arts (MA) > Admission Requirements

Digital Communication and Media Arts Admission Requirements

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Application Materials

To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication or the Master of Arts in Digital Communication and Media Arts (Digital Communication track), 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:

  • Completed online application and $40 domestic application fee, $75 international application fee​
  • Undergraduate transcript showing the completion of a bachelor's degree (minimum grade point average 2.5 (3.0 preferred) on a 4-point scale)
  • Statement of Purpose which explains the applicant's interest in pursuing the degree, their future goals, as well as attributes and skills they may bring to the program
  • Two letters of recommendation written by work supervisors and/or faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional achievements
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Writing sample optional (Analytical writing, like former course papers, preferred but not mandatory)

International Students

An English language examination is required for applicants who have completed their undergraduate education outside the USA. Minimum English language proficiency score requirements for the MA-DCMA program are listed as follows:

Test Type Minimum Score for Full Admission
TOEFL iBT 80 (each section at least 17)
TOEFL paper version 550
Duolingo 110
IELTS 6.5

The DePaul institutional code for the TOEFL is 1165.

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 Academic Year

DePaul is offering a tuition award to new students starting in a College of Communication Master of Arts graduate program in Autumn or Winter 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 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 (Certificate in Digital Communication only)
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 Digital Communication and Media Arts graduate programs and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Learn more about Graduate Admission.


Ready to apply?

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (773) 325-4405 or gradcom@depaul.edu.

Talk to a Current Student

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