Majoring in Communications at DePaul
DePaul University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Attracting 1,662 undergrads from 70 nations, the DePaul University College of Communication has 85 percent retention for a Communication Studies (BA) major that strengthens performance interacting with diverse people. Headed by Dr. Michaela Winchatz, the 2013 Louise de Marillac Women of Spirit Award recipient, the 192-unit program congregates in Chicago’s Daley Building with an engaged 15:1 student-professor ratio. Learners advance their rhetoric perspective by specializing in Media & Cinema Studies, Organizational Communication, Public Relations & Advertising, Latino Media, or Journalism. Courses like Documentary Studies are applied with nearly 300 internships from Accenture to MSNBC each year. Other opportunities include publishing 14 East, joining the Ad Society, broadcasting Good Day DePaul, pursuing the Online BA Completion Program, traveling to Argentina, and practicing in the Media Engagement Laboratory.
Exclusively at the Loop Campus, DePaul University currently enrolls 184 post-grads in the Communication and Media (MA) program that deepens critical analysis skills for interpreting societal messages. Coordinated by Dr. Paul Booth, the 2012 PCA Inge Award winner, the 48-credit, two-year evening program reports 88 percent placement in relevant jobs. Students select from four concentrations: Media & Cinema Studies, Multicultural Communication, Relational Communication, Latino Media, and Organizational Communication. The 50 full-time faculty guide graduates toward the independent study project after 500-level courses like Historiography and Film Theory. Similar programs include the Digital Communication (MA) and Health Communication (MA). Majors might also engage in the Center for Journalism Integrity, attend the IAICS Conference, intern at Harpo Productions, join the Graduate Communication Association, and edit The DePaulia.
About DePaul University
DePaul University was established in June 1898 by Rev. Thomas Smith and the Congregation of the Mission on Kenmore Avenue with an inaugural class of 70 men studying Saint Vincent de Paul’s ideologies. Threatened by Loyola University’s opening, DePaul made the innovative shift to coeducational education in 1911. Four years later, DePaul merged with the Illinois College of Law and acquired the Powers Building as an extension. In 1972, DePaul University formed the adult-friendly School for New Learning, which now offers online degrees like the Communication and Media (BA). Budgeting $566 million, DePaul trains 22,769 Blue Demons in 10 colleges from its 36-acre Big East campus in Forbes’ fourth best city for millennials. DePaul University has produced media personalities like William Granger, Elizabeth Perkins, Gillian Anderson, Christian Picciolini, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked DePaul the 120th best national university, 79th top value, and 108th best public affairs school. On Niche, DePaul is America’s 42nd best communications college, 64th top film university, and 23rd best Catholic school. Forbes placed DePaul University 279th overall with the 133th best research. College Factual lauded DePaul for the country’s 28th best communications program with the 80th top-paid graduates. Radio DePaul recently won five College Media Association prizes, including the 2016 Pinnacle Award. Business Insider picked DePaul as the 49th most underrated college. WalletHub noticed DePaul University for the 159th best career outcomes and 373rd best campus experience. PayScale placed DePaul 290th nationally for a 20-year net ROI of $358,000 too.
DePaul University Accreditation Details
In September 2017, DePaul University submitted to an interim comprehensive evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to maintain its Level VI accreditation under president Amado Gabriel Esteban, PhD. Located just 5.7 miles south of DePaul, this 19-state regional accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to check academic quality for all 141 bachelor’s, 148 master’s, 11 doctoral, and 40 certificate programs from Oak Forest to Navistar and online. DePaul University also features Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for the Dual Health Communication MA/MBA.
DePaul University Application Requirements
Getting into DePaul University is considered “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s with a Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 71 percent. First-year Blue Demons entering the Communication Studies (BA) must earn a high school diploma with four years of English or its equivalent first. Advanced Placement coursework is accepted with grades of “3” or greater. Admitted freshmen boast an average GPA of 3.56. DePaul follows test-optional protocol, except for homeschoolers. Undergrads present a mean SAT score of 1190 and ACT score of 25 when desired. Those already in good standing with minimum 2.0 GPAs at other regionally accredited institutions may transfer up to 132 quarter hours. Communication and Media (MA) applicants must culminate four years of baccalaureate training. Taking the Graduate Record Exam is only required if GPAs fall below 3.0.
DePaul University created an Early Action deadline of November 15th and Regular deadline of February 1st for freshmen. Transfers apply anytime until August 1st, March 1st, and May 1st. The Communication and Media (MA) has priority deadlines of June 1st for Fall, November 2nd for Winter, and February 15th for Spring starts. Interested students can log into Blue Demon Domain accounts or submit the Common Application online. Paper copies might be mailed to 2400 North Sheffield Avenue in Chicago, IL 60614 too. Contact admission@depaul.edu or (312) 362-8300 with questions. The College of Communication generally requests these materials:
- $25 application fee ($40 for graduate)
- Official transcripts of all academics
- Answers to four essay questions
- Two letters of recommendation
- Professional résumé or curriculum vitae
- Typed, double-spaced writing sample
- Entrance or English fluency tests if applicable
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, DePaul University will charge full-time Communication Studies (BA) majors $13,123 per semester or $39,369 annually. Studying part-time incurs $630 per credit. Living at the Chicago campus’ dorms like Clifton-Fullerton Hall adds $11,133 for yearly room and board. DePaul suggests budgeting $1,104 for textbooks and $2,364 for personal expenses. Annual cost of bachelor’s attendance equals $56,275 on-campus and $44,260 off-campus with family. Graduate programs like the Communication and Media (MA) presently bill $745 per credit for an entire price of $35,760.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 81 percent of full-time DePaul Blue Demons receive average financial aid packages of $21,974 for over $273 million total. The College of Communication offers institutional funds like the Wilke Family Scholarship, Kat McCullough Scholarship, Carlos Hernandez Meritorious Award, Dean’s Council Scholarship, Joe & Mary Anne Cappo Scholarship, and Reach for Excellence Award in Public Relations. The Double Demon Scholarship gifts 25 percent discounts to BA alumni pursuing master’s study. Filing the FAFSA application with code 001671 could unlock Federal Pell and FSEOG Grants. Illinoisans often benefit from the Monetary Award Program, National Guard Grant, Veteran Grant, or Higher Education License Plate Program. Money magazine reported mean student debt of $19,500 from Direct and Plus loans. Other options at DePaul University include Federal Work-Study jobs, graduate assistantships, GI Bill benefits, and employer assistance.
Learn more about DePaul University at the College of Communication website.