Program Notes

The Boston University Master of Science in Advertising program prepares you to compete in that dynamic environment—not just for a great first job, but the job after that. Even for jobs that don’t exist yet.

Over three semesters, you’ll study in small, intimate classes with a faculty of highly accomplished advertising professionals.

You’ll develop the skills to shape creative briefs and advertising plans encompassing strategy, account management, consumer insight, media, and brand-building skills, plus art direction, copywriting, and video development. And you’ll sharpen writing, presentation, design, and digital techniques to create innovative solutions for client challenges.

Train with the Top 

You’ll be mentored and taught by industry-renowned experts and award-winning faculty — professors whose experience spans media strategy, brand development, production, creative direction, art direction, design, and more.

These veterans have earned their stripes at firms large and small, including Arnold Worldwide; Hill Holliday; MullenLowe; Digitas; and many others known around the world. They’ve produced work for a wide variety of internationally recognized clients that has won awards from Cannes, MITX, Echo, Hatch, OneShow, Clio, and USA Today. They’ve even created ads that are among the all-time top 10 Super Bowl spots.

Live It to Learn It. 

You’ll get ready for advertising careers by rolling up your sleeves for hands-on, real-life experiences.

In AdLab, the world’s oldest and largest student-run ad agency, students work on account teams creating real campaigns for real clients including corporations, entrepreneurial start-ups, and nonprofits. In AdClub, BU’s official chapter of the American Advertising Federation, you’ll build your professional networks and compete for national competitions.

Beyond campus, we help place students as interns with some of the most coveted agencies in the country, like Hill Holiday, Digitas and Publicis, as well as many media companies and marketing organizations. Some students choose to spend their third semester abroad with the Boston University London Graduate Mass Communication Summer Program, taking courses such as British Media in the Digital Age and Global Marketing Communications and, of course, interning. 

Benefit from Boston

One of BU’s greatest resources is its location. Consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the world, Boston is “America’s college town,” a city rich in history while remaining on the cutting edge. Boston is a Top 10 U.S. media market, and home to some of the world’s best agencies, media companies and leading employers — offering boundless opportunities for internships and careers.

Purpose Driven

COM stands out from our peers. Our faculty offers a mix of researchers and practitioners who endorse a cross-discipline, hands-on approach to learning. Our location lies at the heart of an electric, media-savvy city.

But it may be COM’s shared values that matter most. We believe that communication requires diversity, critical thinking, and creative expression. We believe that communication must be grounded in truth, authenticity, effectiveness, and purpose. We believe that communication builds understanding among people and across society.