The combined bachelor’s + master’s degree program allows students to complete 12 graduate credit hours while still enrolled in their undergraduate program. These graduate credit hours will count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Undergraduate students from any major across DePaul University can apply to the Health Communication combined degree program.
Admission Criteria
New student enrollment in our MA in Health Communication and the Health Communication Certificate programs is currently paused. Please check back in the coming months for updates.
Admission criteria for the combined bachelor’s + master’s degree program in Health Communication:
- 3.5 GPA in major courses
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Junior status
- Completion of three 300-level major courses
Students who meet the above criteria must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Admission no later than six weeks prior to the start of their senior year (i.e., prior to the start of their final three undergraduate quarters):
- Graduate Application (you will select a combined degree program during the application process)
- Official DePaul undergraduate transcript
- Four essay questions in two to four double spaced pages (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 do studies in health communication relate to your personal and professional goals? (In
your response, identify how this program suits your specific needs,
goals, interests, etc. and how health communication studies connect with
your future objectives.)
- 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 (please submit a research paper)
- Two letters of recommendation from professors in the College of Communication or in the major
Please submit all admission materials* to:
Office of Graduate Admission
College of Communication
DePaul University
2400 N. Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-2215
*Essays and writing sample can be e-mailed to gradcom@depaul.edu.
Program Standards
- The three Health Communication graduate courses taken as a senior cannot be used to fulfill core major requirements. They can be used to fill communication electives (for communication majors) and/or open electives. Students are strongly encouraged to take HTHC515 and two elective courses during their senior year.
- Students admitted to the program must maintain a 3.0 GPA (B or better) in the three graduate courses taken as a senior.
- If a student fails to meet this academic requirement, they will not be allowed to continue as a graduate student in the program.
- Students can defer their graduate admission for one year. If students do not matriculate after completing their BA or BS degrees or within the one year deferral period, the graduate courses taken as undergraduate students will no longer count towards the graduate degree and students must reapply for admission to the graduate program.
Visit the Health Communication MA section for more information about the graduate program.