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 years. 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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94%

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

#1

Named the top Public Relations program in the country for 2022 and 2018 by PRWeek and in the top five nationally in nine of the past ten years.

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 210,000 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.

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Contact Information

For more information about applying, contact The Office of Graduate Admission at (773) 325-4405 or gradcom@depaul.edu.

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We’ll send you information about the degree, admission requirements and upcoming info sessions. Let’s get started.

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