College of Communication > Academics > Public Relations and Advertising > Graduate Program > Public Relations and Advertising (MA) > Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) requires 12 courses (48-credit hours).

Core Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Six core courses are required24
PRAD 515
WRITING FOR A COMMUNICATION CAREER
PRAD 553
ADVERTISING FOUNDATIONS
PRAD 555
PUBLIC RELATIONS FOUNDATIONS
PRAD 575
COMMUNICATION ETHICS AND LAW
PRAD 585
RESEARCH, DATA AND INSIGHTS
Select one of the following:
PRAD 596
PERSONAL BRANDING AND CAREER STRATEGIES
PRAD 599
RESEARCH THESIS 1
1

Students who attain a 3.7 GPA or higher and obtain prior approval from the graduate program director have the option to complete a thesis instead of the portfolio. Approved students completing a thesis need to start the process at least 9-12 months prior to graduation and will enroll in PRAD 599 RESEARCH THESIS as their final course in the quarter they defend their thesis.​

Elective Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select six of the following: 124
PRAD 511
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
PRAD 512
ENGAGING LATINX COMMUNITIES
PRAD 514
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING
PRAD 530
PR/AD AGENCY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
PRAD 536
ADVERTISING AND HEALTH CAMPAIGNS
PRAD 540
CRISIS COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
PRAD 550
INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS
PRAD 551
ADVERTISING AND COPYWRITING
PRAD 554
CREATIVE PROCESSES
PRAD 563
MEDIA PLANNING
PRAD 564
BUSINESS SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATORS
PRAD 588
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
PRAD 590
PUBLIC RELATION & ADVERTISING WORKSHOP
PRAD 594
COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
PRAD 595
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING
CMN 591
INTERNSHIP
CMN 592
INDEPENDENT STUDY
CMN 593
RESEARCH PRACTICUM
CMN 598
STUDY ABROAD
1

With approval of the graduate program director, students can take up to two ​​relevant elective courses from other College of Communication graduate programs or relevant elective courses from other graduate departments/programs outside of the College of Communication.​

Portfolio

Students in the Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising program complete their degree requirements by submitting a comprehensive portfolio. Students present their portfolios and network with industry professionals at the annual Portfolio Showcase.

Master's Thesis

Students who attain a 3.7 GPA or higher and obtain prior approval from the graduate program director have the option to complete a thesis instead of the portfolio. Approved students completing a thesis need to start the process at least 9-12 months prior to graduation and will enroll in PRAD 599 as their final course in the quarter they defend their thesis.​

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.

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.

​

For high-performing College of Communication undergraduates, the combined bachelor’s + master’s degree program in Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) may be an option.​