Branded Content Production

In today’s rapidly evolving communication landscape, the demand for compelling, brand-driven content is skyrocketing. 

Why Branded Content Production at BU COM?

• Addressing industry demand: From the communication perspective, the industry demand for multimedia content continues to rise. While current programs address graphic design and writing, they often lack a focus on audio or video production, which is a core strength of this program. This program meets the needs of students and industry demand by providing a much-needed convergence among our disciplines.
• Broadened career prospects: Many film and television students seek to parlay their technical skills and narrative backgrounds into communication, advertising, and public relations — and communication, advertising and PR students want to develop their technical audio/visual storytelling skills. This program provides that crucial bridge, focusing on creating content for brand purposes, to sell ideas or products, or enhance an organization’s reputation.
• Interdisciplinary skills: A recent survey of alumni shows the need and desire for students to take courses across departments to break down the silos and recognize the integration of the communication industry. This combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop expertise across disciplines.
• Accelerated path: Earn your master’s degree in just one additional year beyond your bachelor’s, maximizing your educational investment through this combined bachelor’s + master’s program.

Career Opportunities

The Branded Content Production program prepares you for a diverse range of in-demand roles, leveraging combined expertise in film production and strategic communication. Graduates will be ideal candidates for content development positions across various sectors.

This program will prepare you for career opportunities such as:

• Multimedia marketing communications content creator
• Branded content specialist
• Multimedia producer
• Videographer
• Editor

Graduates will find opportunities with a variety of employers, including:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Political campaigns
• Healthcare organizations
• Creative agencies (advertising, multimedia, public relations, strategic communication, marketing)
• Business-to-business companies
• Business-to-consumer companies
• Internal communications departments
• Agency communications

Having a combined bachelor’s and master’s is a powerful degree, providing you with a competitive advantage in the digital content industry.

What You’ll Learn in the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program in Branded Content Production

Upon completion of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Build alignment among business objectives, outcomes, and brand-driven content.
• Work across functions to create cohesive content within budget and on time.
• Strategize and create a variety of content based on the most effective implementation of communication outcomes, from still imagery to digital video.
• Gain specific skills tailored to individual needs, such as holistic branding, programming, short-form social media content, and podcasting.
• Market your unique professional capabilities and grow your career in this dynamic field of content creation.
• Communication students will learn the basics of video production, from exposure to sound, through editing.
• Film/TV students will learn the fundamentals of contemporary public relations and advertising.

In our integrated world, communication professionals require both literacy in content production and a strategic framework to break through and connect with stakeholders. Gaining a master’s degree in Branded Content Production will prepare students for success in our rapidly changing and ever-expanding communication universe.

Amy Shanler, Professor of the Practice, Public Relations

Curriculum and Courses

Students will earn 32 credits over two semesters. When combined with your undergraduate degree in film/television, public relations, advertising, or media science, you’ll earn a master’s degree in Branded Content Production in just one additional year. You’ll also be able to apply 8 units (credits) of electives earned during your undergraduate program toward your master’s degree, providing additional flexibility.

Learn From Award-Winning Communication Faculty

Our program is taught by a dedicated and experienced faculty, bringing a wealth of academic knowledge and industry expertise to the classroom, preparing you for a career in multimedia storytelling and strategic content creation:

How To Apply

Applicants for the Branded Content Production program must be majoring in either public relations, advertising, media science, or film/television at Boston University College of Communication. Most applicants will have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Students will apply for the program during their junior year and will need to supply:

• A personal statement
• A resume
• One letter of recommendation
• A reel/portfolio 
• The application fee is waived; email COM Graduate Affairs at comgrad@bu.edu for a fee waiver code.

For complete application instructions and to apply, please visit the Graduate Admissions page.

Advising

Students will receive comprehensive advising from the existing College of Communication Graduate and Undergraduate Affairs offices and department leaders. Additionally, COM’s director and administrator will provide specialized administration and advising for this integrated degree program.

Explore More

• BS in Advertising
• BS in Media Science
• BS in Public Relations
• BS in Film & Television
• COM Graduate Admissions
• COM Undergraduate Admissions