Degree Requirements: MS in Advertising

The Master of Science in Advertising curriculum gives you a 360-degree view of the brand ecosystem. The program requires a minimum of 12 courses (48 credits), structured to build core functional mastery while giving you the flexibility to design a custom track around your career goals.

Full-time graduate students typically complete these requirements across three semesters over 16 months (Fall, Spring, Fall).

Students must also pass a formal faculty review of their Presentation of Final Work or complete a professional project.

Students can find their degree requirements at the Boston University Academics Website.

Curriculum

Core Foundation Requirements (4 courses / 16 credits):

Every advertising graduate student starts by mastering the fundamental pillars of research, strategy, creative development, and account management.

Concentration Courses (take at least 4 courses / 16 credits):

Shape your degree by selecting courses tailored to your professional trajectory.

ELECTIVES (4 courses/ 16 credits):

Complete your remaining coursework by choosing four additional 500-level or higher courses. You can select additional courses listed below, from the Concentration Course list above, or other courses at BU.

The Capstone: Presentation of Final Work

Alongside your 48 course credits, MS in Advertising students must successfully pass a formal faculty review of their individual Presentation of Final Work to graduate.

What it is: This capstone serves as the ultimate professional proof point for your master’s degree. You’ll individually identify a complex, real-world advertising challenge and deliver a 10-minute presentation pitching your strategic, analytical, or creative solution to a panel of faculty judges, followed by a live Q&A.

Developed independently with minimal faculty advising, this presentation demonstrates that you can synthesize your entire graduate education and pitch your unique point of view at a professional executive level.

What You’ll Master: Program Learning Outcomes

The MS in Advertising curriculum is engineered to transform academic theory into executive-level execution. By the conclusion of this program, you will possess a comprehensive, cross-functional toolkit and master the following core institutional competencies:

1. Client-Based Strategic Execution

• The Capability: Build and deploy multi-platform campaigns from the ground up to hit concrete business goals.
• The Skills: You will learn to fluidly integrate campaign strategy, copy, visual design, and emerging digital metrics into real-world client deliverables.

2. End-to-End Campaign Planning

• The Capability: Construct a comprehensive, professional-grade advertising plan that addresses complex marketplace opportunities.
• The Skills: Master the full brand pipeline—including long-term positioning, account management operations, target audience insights, media buying, and brand equity building.

3. Advanced Creative Generation

• The Capability: Conceptualize and produce award-ready, industry-standard creative assets.
• The Skills: Develop specialized expertise in platform-native art direction, persuasive copywriting, and short-form video concepting and production.

4. Consumer Insights & Actionable Research

• The Capability: Design, conduct, and analyze qualitative and quantitative consumer research studies.
• The Skills: Turn raw data and human behavioral patterns into ironclad creative briefs and analytical post-campaign debriefs.

5. High-Functioning Agency Collaboration

• The Capability: Operate seamlessly within professional, fast-paced agency structures.
• The Skills: Excel in cross-functional account teams through hands-on leadership roles inside our resident agency, AdLab, mimicking modern corporate environments.

6. Ethical & Social Brand Leadership

• The Capability: Navigate the complex legal, ethical, and societal implications of commercial communication.
• The Skills: Evaluate campaigns through a lens of social responsibility, inclusivity, consumer privacy, and brand integrity.

Degree Planning + Policy FAQs

Do I need to choose an advertising track before starting the program?

No. Every student takes the same core foundations in their first semester. This gives you the flexibility to explore both creative execution and data strategy before officially selecting your advanced electives.

Can I complete my advertising internship or AdLab for course credit?

Yes. Both COM CM 585/586 (AdLab) and COM CM 809 (Graduate Internship) count directly toward your 16 required Specialized Concentration Elective credits.

How many credits are required to graduate, and how long does it take?

The program requires 48 credits (12 courses). Full-time graduate students typically complete the degree in three semesters over 16 months. Part-time students can pace their courses individually under our per-credit tuition model.

Academic Policies & Regulations

In addition to the University Bulletin, master’s students should refer to the College of Communication Graduate Handbook for a comprehensive guide to policies, academic regulations, and student resources.