Advertising

Master of Science (MS) in Advertising

Offered in collaboration with Boston University College of Communication

Fast-paced, innovative, and ever evolving, the ad industry offers big rewards for those willing to embrace the importance of teamwork, run with new ideas, and take certain risks—these challenges are exactly what stimulate and inspire superior advertising, media, and communication experts.

Dedicated to accelerating the careers of working adults, Boston University Metropolitan College and the College of Communication offer the Master of Science in Advertising program. Specially designed for the motivated, working professional, the curriculum is rigorous and intensive, and offered in a convenient, part-time evening format. Participants master the essentials of advertising, and can build on that foundation by choosing courses that focus either on communication through digital content and technology, or on marketing and management.

Admission

All candidates for admission to the part-time MS in Advertising program must have a bachelor’s degree and are selected on the basis of undergraduate transcripts, academic and personal references, and work experience. Standardized admissions tests such as the GRE are not required; English language proficiency is. The program has a rolling admissions policy with no absolute deadlines. Students may complete up to eight credits in the program prior to admission. Courses taken in the College of Communication’s full-time or Summer Term programs may not be counted toward the part-time degree. Because this is a part-time program, it is not possible for international students to obtain a visa for study in it.

Degree Requirements

The MS in Advertising consists of ten courses for a total of 40 credits.

Please note: Some courses may have prerequisites.

Required Courses (Three courses/12 credits)

  • MET CM 704 Contemporary Mass Communication
  • MET CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
  • MET CM 708 Principles and Practices of Advertising

Electives (seven courses/28 credits)

For a digital media focus, consider electives marked with an asterisk (*)

Advertising Electives (choose four)
  • MET CM 702 Advertising in Society
  • MET CM 711 Consumer Insight and Account Planning
  • MET CM 716 Computers in Communication*
  • MET CM 717 Fundamentals of Creative Development
  • MET CM 719 Interactive Marketing Communication*
  • MET CM 721 Advertising Management
  • MET CM 726 Strategic Brand Solutions
  • MET CM 736 New and Traditional Media Strategies
  • MET CM 739 Principles of Search Engine Marketing*
Management Electives (choose three)
  • MET AD 632 Financial Concepts
  • MET AD 648 Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Systems, and Web Design*
  • MET AD 670 Creative Multimedia: Tools, Design, and Application*
  • MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
  • MET AD 733 Leadership in Management
  • MET AD 737 Innovative Marketing Techniques*
  • MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
  • MET AD 764 Multinational Tactics, Strategy, and Positioning
  • MET AD 852 International Market Research
  • MET AD 857 International Marketing Strategy
  • MET AD 860 International Advertising
  • MET AR 720 Marketing and Audience Development for the Arts

MET/COM students may petition for additional courses to substitute for the list above.

Academic Standing

Students in the MS in Advertising program must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing and to graduate. No grade below B– in any course may be applied toward the degree. Students with grade point averages below 3.0 will be on academic probation and must be in a position to achieve a 3.0 within the 40 required credit hours for graduation or be subject to dismissal.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Metropolitan College, MS in Advertising, 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2975; www.bu.edu/met/advertising.