MS in Advertising Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The MS in Advertising program provides a comprehensive, industry-facing foundation across all core pillars: advertising strategy, creative development, media planning, and account management. While everyone masters the central brand framework, you use your 16 specialized elective credits to design a custom pathway tailored to your specific career goals (such as Creative & Art Direction, Strategy & Digital Analytics, or Experiential & Global Leadership).

AdLab is BU COM’s award-winning, student-run advertising agency and a central component of the curriculum. Operating as a live professional agency, AdLab allows graduate students to work on real regional and global campaigns for actual corporate clients—handling everything from creative briefs and copywriting to media buying and account tracking for major brands like Under Armour, Celebrity Cruises, and leading regional 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, consistently placing BU in the Top 5 globally. Students have also won D&AD New Blood Pencils and Hatch Awards (including 16 of 21 overall student categories 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 and networking at elite 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 BBDO, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, MullenLowe, 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 16 months, beginning in the fall. Part-time students can pace their courses individually under our per-credit tuition model.

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 national creative competitions, students gain experience that mirrors professional agency workflows and prepares them for immediate entry into the field.

Yes. Through sequential portfolio development courses, live agency work in AdLab, and major competition alignments, you will build a comprehensive, multi-platform creative or strategic book vetted by faculty and recruiters before you graduate.

Yes. Professional internships are highly recommended and can be taken for direct elective credit through COM CM 809. Students can pursue internships locally in Boston or through BU’s global frameworks in London, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC. Past placements include Ogilvy, McCann, DDB, Giant Spoon, Saatchi & Saatchi, Havas, and global brands like Lego, HBO, and Amazon.

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:

• The nation’s largest and longest-running student-run ad agency (AdLab).
• A Top 5 global ranking in One Show student awards (37 Young Ones honors over 5 years).
• Award-winning faculty with major agency leadership experience (BBDO, MullenLowe, Digitas).
• A prime Boston location in a top U.S. media market.
• A program-wide focus on physical portfolio development and real client work.
• Exceptional career outcomes, with over 90% of graduate students employed within six months of graduation.

Graduates pursue roles in copywriting, art direction, UX/UI 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 routinely advance into leadership roles such as Managing Partner, Head of Strategy, and Marketing Director.

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

Consistently, over 90% of MS in Advertising graduate students report securing professional employment or entering further study within six months of graduation.

No. Our student cohort includes undergraduate degrees in business, psychology, journalism, economics, engineering, and the liberal arts. The admissions committee evaluates applications holistically, searching for strong analytical writing, strategic curiosity, and professional or creative potential.

No. The GRE and GMAT are not required for admission to the MS in Advertising program at the College of Communication.

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.

No, a formal creative portfolio is not required for admission. A résumé or CV is required. However, if you have past work, writing samples, or campaign mockups that demonstrate your communication strengths, you are highly encouraged to include a link to those optional supporting materials.

Yes. Applicants are required to complete a brief video assessment through the Kira Talent portal. You will automatically receive a direct link to access the Kira platform shortly after starting your application.

Yes. The MS in Advertising is available in both full-time and part-time formats, offering maximum flexibility for working professionals under our per-credit tuition model.

No, the MS in Advertising is not a STEM-designated program. International graduates are eligible for the standard 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) period to work in the United States post-graduation.

Yes. BU alumni and graduating seniors are eligible to apply for the Double Terrier Scholarship, which provides a 25% tuition discount on graduate studies at COM. Additionally, all full-time applicants are automatically evaluated for merit-based scholarships by the admissions committee at the time of review.

Priority Scholarship Deadline: February 1 (highly recommended for financial aid consideration)
Final Rolling Admission Deadline: May 1

No. Full-time post-graduate work experience is not required, though relevant internships, personal creative portfolios, or campus media projects significantly strengthen an application.