MS in Advertising Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The MS in Advertising provides a comprehensive, industry-facing foundation in advertising strategy, creative development, media planning, and account management. Students gain exposure to all core advertising disciplines before choosing a focus area that aligns with their career goals, ensuring both breadth and depth, similar to COM’s other professionally oriented master’s programs.

AdLab is BU COM’s award-winning, student-run advertising agency and a central component of the MS in Advertising experience. Like PRLab in Public Relations or COMLab in Media Science, AdLab integrates real client work directly into the curriculum, allowing students to apply strategy, creative thinking, and research to professional briefs while building portfolio-ready work.Brands include Celebrity Cruises, Under Armour, and major healthcare organizations.

MS in Advertising students regularly compete—and win—at top global competitions. Over the past five years, BU students have earned 37 Young Ones awards, placing BU in the Top 5 globally. Students have also won D&AD New Blood Pencils and Hatch Awards (including 16 of 21 overall last year).Portfolio courses are intentionally scheduled around major competitions so that class projects can evolve into award-ready work.

Yes. Students receive direct feedback from creative directors, alumni, and agency leaders through events like Creative Café, where portfolio work is reviewed by professionals from agencies such as MullenLowe, Digitas, and Arnold Worldwide.Students may also participate in the Spring Break NYC Advertising Tour, visiting agencies like Droga5, Saatchi & Saatchi, Amazon Ads, and Giant Spoon. BU’s AdClub chapter further connects students to the American Advertising Federation and national competitions.

Courses are taught by industry-leading practitioners and creative leaders with experience at top agencies and brands such as Deutsch, HillHolliday, MullenLowe, BBDO, and Digitas. Faculty bring extensive real-world experience into the classroom, having led award-winning campaigns recognized by Cannes Lions, the Clio Awards, and The One Show—including nationally recognized Super Bowl ads.Like other COM graduate programs, MS in Advertising faculty combine professional practice with mentorship, offering direct feedback, industry insight, and career guidance to help students develop strong creative, strategic, and professional skills.

Boston offers a powerful blend of agency access, brand-side opportunities, media organizations, and tech-driven innovation, making it an ideal environment for advertising and communication careers. COM students benefit from proximity to agencies, startups, healthcare and tech companies, and a highly engaged alumni network, all within one of the most livable cities in the U.S.

The program is a three-semester, full-time master's degree (12 courses / 48 credits), typically completed in 18 months, beginning in the fall.

Coursework spans strategy, account management, creative development, art direction, copywriting, media planning, interactive marketing strategy, and brand experience design. Electives allow students to deepen a specialization or explore adjacent areas within communication and media.

Yes. Like all COM professional master’s programs, the MS in Advertising emphasizes applied learning. Through AdLab, project-based coursework, internships, and competitions, students gain experience that mirrors professional agency workflows and prepares them for immediate entry into the field.

Students build a professional portfolio through project-based courses, client campaigns, and competition-driven coursework. Portfolio classes align with major competitions—such as Young Ones, D&AD, and the Hatch Awards—ensuring that each project can become a polished portfolio piece.Industry feedback through Creative Café and internships further strengthens portfolios.

Yes. Students can pursue internships in Boston or through BU’s global programs in London, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC. Past internships include Ogilvy, McCann, DDB, Giant Spoon, Saatchi & Saatchi, Havas, and brands such as Lego, HBO, and Amazon.

Yes. The MS in Advertising is available in both full-time and part-time formats, offering flexibility for working professionals.

Within COM’s portfolio of graduate programs, the MS in Advertising is uniquely focused on creative strategy, brand storytelling, and portfolio development. Key differentiators include:

• Nation’s largest and longest-running student-run ad agency (AdLab)
• Top 5 global ranking in One Show student awards
• Award-winning faculty with major agency leadership experience
• Boston location in a top U.S. media market
• Program-wide focus on portfolio development and real client work
• Strong career outcomes, with more than 90% of COM graduate students employed within six months of graduation

Graduates pursue roles in copywriting, art direction, UX design, brand and media strategy, account management, marketing analytics, and integrated marketing. Job titles include: Account Executive, Copywriter, Art Director, Strategist, Media Planner, Data Analyst, and Marketing Manager.Alumni also advance into leadership roles such as Managing Partner, Head of Strategy, and Marketing Director.

Alumni work at leading agencies including BBDO, Wieden+Kennedy, Digitas, McCann, Saatchi & Saatchi, Mischief, David Miami, Accenture Song, and AMP Agency, as well as brands like Amazon, Apple, Lego, ASICS, Boston Beer Company, and Blue Bottle Coffee.

More than 90% of COM graduate students, including MS in Advertising graduates, report securing employment within six months of graduation.

No. The GRE is not required for admission.

The personal statement (up to 750 words) should describe your intended area of focus—such as creative, strategy, account management, or media planning—and explain how BU COM and its resources, including AdLab, faculty expertise, and Boston's advertising ecosystem, align with your career goals.

A résumé or CV is required. A portfolio is not required, but applicants are encouraged to include a link to creative work, writing samples, or relevant projects if available.

Yes. The program offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options.

Priority Deadline: February 1 (best for scholarship consideration)
Rolling Admission Deadline: May 1

No. Work experience is not required, though relevant internships or creative projects can strengthen an application.