The Master of Science in Advertising at Boston University—a hands-on, professional program offered through BU’s College of Communication (COM) and Metropolitan College (MET)—offers solutions to contemporary marketing problems from strategic, creative, and technological perspectives.
As the advertising industry evolves to meet new consumer patterns and navigate competitive challenges at the dawn of a new decade, new opportunities are emerging in the field. The ability to think creatively and develop novel approaches to advertising is essential to meeting the needs of brands, businesses, and clientele in a changing marketplace.
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Develop Creative and Strategic Skills in Advertising
Guided by industry professionals and communication experts, BU’s Advertising master’s degree program provides a sound understanding of the principles of digital advertising while developing your ability to communicate ideas using coherent, persuasive skills in writing and oral presentation. BU’s MS in Advertising curriculum covers:
Interactive Media
Branding and Creative Development
Advertising Management and Strategy
International Marketing
Mass Communication
You can customize BU’s Advertising master’s degree program to your needs by choosing a sequence of courses that provide an understanding of interactive, digital content, or by focusing more specifically on international marketing and management. We also make sure you master the arts of presenting your pitch and working collaboratively—skills that give you an edge in the daily challenges of any job.
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“I have started a new job at Salesforce, managing product marketing for digital commerce and digital experience solutions. I would not have been able to land this job without my Advertising degree from BU. I have loved my classes, professors, teammates, and projects. The material I learned has helped me interview confidently at digital software companies, where I did not have any relevant work experience.”—Katherine Milne (MET’17), Salesforce
Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Advertising at BU?
Active Learning Environment: BU’s advertising and communication courses ensure you get the attention you need while focusing on case studies, hands-on practice, market research, and analysis of what works.
Engaged Faculty: In BU’s MS in Advertising graduate program, you benefit from working with industry veterans and experts who can introduce you to the real-world dynamics of the field, along with the essentials of digital strategy, search-engine marketing, branding, creative, media, marketing, mass communication, and accounting.
Extensive Network: Study alongside peers with solid advertising, marketing, and communications experience; learn from faculty and agency pros who have valuable contacts in the industry; and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections.
Student Support: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty mentors and access to support.
Flexible Options: Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus with courses that begin fall, spring, and summer.
Merit Scholarships: US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Master the Skills to Excel in the Competitive Advertising Industry
Offered by Metropolitan College in collaboration with the College of Communication, Boston University’s MS in Advertising program develops the diverse skills required to create, develop, market, and manage a full ad campaign in a competitive marketplace.
Our convenient, evening courses combine core advertising fundamentals with the latest approaches in digital content and marketing, preparing you to compete in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of communication—whether you wish to enter this rewarding field, or seek to enhance your current industry knowledge and experience.
Graduate with Expertise
Boston University’s Advertising master’s degree will equip you with:
An ability to solve contemporary marketing problems from strategic, creative, and technological perspectives.
A sound understanding of the principles of digital advertising.
Proficiency in the communication of ideas using coherent persuasive skills in writing and oral presentation.
Master’s in Advertising Curriculum
A total of 40 credits is required (10 courses).
Core Courses
(Three courses/12 credits)
MET CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
Fall ‘25
Introduction to basic formats, including news releases, editorials, features, profiles, scripts, and basic copy qualities such as readability, clarity, crispness, color, and organization. Emphasis on developing the ability to write copy for varied audiences. Regular writing assignments; considerable rewriting. Includes lead writing, editing, and interviewing. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Dodge
SOC B63
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CM 708 Principles and Practices of Advertising
Fall ‘25
Overview of the nature, function, practice, and social, economic, and behavioral aspects of advertising. Student teams develop advertising plans, create campaigns, and explore problems of account management, creativity, production, and ethics. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sullivan
CAS 326
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CM 719 Interactive Marketing Communications
An overview of the theories, practices, and techniques in the emerging field of interactive marketing communications (IAMC). Students gain an understanding of the strategy and tactics of IAMC and its place in the more comprehensive field of marketing communications. In addition, students review IAMC's relationship to and its effects on society, culture, and the economic system. The course will explore almost all the ways interactive marketing can be practiced via the Internet: historical introduction, dotcom era, basic principles, database marketing, etail, email, search (SEO & SEM/PPC), display advertising, social networking, gaming, mobile, et al. [ 4 cr. ]
Electives
(Seven courses/28 credits)
Choose four advertising electives:
MET CM 702 Advertising and Society
Analyzes the impact of advertising on individuals and society and evaluates the ethical, moral, and legal questions relating to the advertising industry. The history of advertising and the rise of consumerism will be studied to create a paradigm for understanding the social effects of advertising. Students will study the issues of advertising in cyberspace and questions of privacy and protection from intrusive communication messages. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 704 Contemporary Mass Communication
Overview of and current trends in the contemporary mass media labor force. Topics include career opportunities in print, film, broadcast, and digital media; changing relationships between media; contemporary patterns of ownership and audience attention; how the media select their content, how they are financed, and how they are related to agencies of control; and ethical issues and controversies regarding media content and influences. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 711 Consumer Insight and Account Planning
Grad Prereq: MET CM 708 Explores how to arrive at consumer insights that lead to better advertising and promotion. The course focuses on the set of skills necessary to create breakthrough advertising, including qualitative research, observation, interviewing skills, mapping, and presentation tools. Students learn to write effective creative briefs. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 717 Fundamentals of Creative Development
Examines the creative process in advertising, including concept development, copywriting, layout, and campaign strategies. Emphasis is on print advertising, but radio and television commercials are also included. Assignments include consumer and trade advertisements for both new and mature products. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 721 Advertising Management
Prereq: MET CM 708 Administration of a complete advertising program. Case study method used to explore the marketing mix, budgeting, media strategy, planning, coordinating advertising with promotion, working with client or agency, and the social responsibility of advertisers. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 726 Strategic Brand Solutions
Explores the impact of current advertising/marketing issues from business, economic, political, social, legal, and ethical perspectives. Modified case method, with lectures from experts on selected issues. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 736 New & Traditional Media Strategies
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET CM708 - Examines media planning, buying and sales as performed by advertising agencies, clients, and the media. Research sources providing data on media audiences and product usage are evaluated. Examines contemporary trends in communications media and their effects on advertisers. [ 4 cr. ]
Advertising electives with a digital media focus:
MET CM 714 Video in the Digital Age
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METCM716 OR METCM717 OR METCM744) - The role of video has become even more significant in terms of the digital environment for branded content, webisodes, viral video, corporate micro-documentaries, and instructional/educational website content. How this is integrated with, and disseminated by, social media is key. In addition, budgetary constraints in relation to work for the web often require a different creative approach than traditional broadcast media. This course explores the creative development of video concepts and introduces students to basic production techniques as they relate to the development of video geared for the web. This is mainly a writing and concept development course. Some rudimentary editing techniques are discussed throughout the semester. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 716 Digital Communication
This course is designed to introduce students to using new media tools for creating media communication. Students build an integrated campaign and web site using software, which includes Photoshop, InDesign, iMovie, Dreamweaver and Flash. Students develop an understanding of the process of design consisting of: ideation, strategy and execution.
Permission required for non-MET students. Contact Metropolitan College, 1010 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 124 (617- 358-5643) for more information. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 737 Social Networks in Strategic Communication Planning
Fall ‘25
The purpose of MET CM737, Social Networks in Strategic Communication Planning, is to help students understand the rapid evolution in marketing and communications brought on by the shift in technology that has forever changed traditional media and launched powerful new communications platforms via social media. This course will focus on communications strategy -- where it's been, where it's going with a focus on executing strategies through social media platforms that align with overall business (brand) goals and objectives. To help gain this perspective, students will learn from various experts (guests to class) and hands-on exercises designed to give all students a solid baseline for the dominant and tertiary social media platforms. I fully believe that the best way to learn and understand social media is to jump in and engage with the different platforms. This class will encourage and insist that you engage with at least two social media platforms so you can bring this first-hand knowledge to class. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sender
HAR 326
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CM 739 Principles of Search Engine Marketing
In this course students will become familiar with the basics of Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Advertising and how these new rapidly growing areas fit into the marketing communications planning process. The course will cover topics such as how search engines work, how users search, how to optimize a website for search engines, how to develop a Search Engine Advertising campaign and how to measure success. At the end of the semester students will present a strategically executed Search Engine Marketing plan. Prerequisite for the course is MET CM 719, Interactive Marketing Communication or permission of the instructor. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CM 744 Design and New Media
Provides knowledge and practice for effective graphic design for all media. Develops a foundation in design principles and software skills including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students create projects demonstrating how graphic design is used to engage an audience and enhance comprehension of all forms of mass communication from traditional print to new media. [ 4 cr. ]
Choose three management electives:
MET AD 632 Financial Concepts
Fall ‘25
HUB
Introduction to the concepts, methods and problems of accounting and financial analysis. Includes accounting principles, measurement and disclosure issues, financial statement analysis, time value of money, cash flow projection and analysis, capital budgeting and project evaluation, bond and equity valuation, cost of capital and capital structure. 4 cr. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Fall ‘25
A communications skills course designed to better understand the nature of conflict and its resolution through persuasion, collaboration, and negotiation. Students will learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. Students will assess their own styles, skills, and values, and develop techniques to better resolve disputes, achieve objectives, and exert influence. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Ganci
SHA 202
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET AD 733 Leadership in Management
What does it mean to be a good leader' Can key elements of good leadership be identified' This dynamic course will start with an exploration of traditional and contemporary models of leadership, leadership development and management training. From there, participants will assess their own personal skills, preferences, aptitude and readiness to confront the challenges of leadership through a series of exercises, simulations and hands-on activities. Key elements of leadership, such as visiting, communicating, decision-making, team building and motivating will be studied and practiced. This course combines a thorough review of the theoretical aspects of leadership with the opportunity for "real world" applications through experiential learning. [ 4 cr. ]
MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
Fall ‘25
Addresses the specifics of new product and service development and fostering innovation and technology to increase performance. Topics include generating and screening initial ideas; assessing user needs and interests; forecasting results; launching, and improving products and programs; bringing innovation to commercial reality. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Lopez
EPC 206
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Park
PSY B51
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A3
IND
Lopez
HAR 210
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A4
IND
Lopez
CAS 208
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Park
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET AD 852 International Market Research
Examination of major marketing issues affecting companies operating in a global environment. Students will achieve an understanding of the economic, political, and cultural differences among nations as they affect marketing opportunities and operations. Develop skills to identify and evaluate international marketing opportunities. 4cr. [ 4 cr. ]
MET AD 857 Marketing Strategies
Strategic and operational marketing issues arising in the firm's operations. Topics include market screening, decisions, entry strategies, product/service development, as well as designing the marketing plan and its implementation. 4 cr. [ 4 cr. ]
MET AD 860 International Advertising
Concepts, theories and practice of international, multinational and global advertising. A thorough and contemporary study of the impact of globalization on marketing communications and particularly advertising. The environment of worldwide advertising, the advertising mix and worldwide management. [ 4 cr. ]
Management electives with a digital media focus:
MET AD 648 Ecommerce
Fall ‘25
Examine the history of e-commerce, along with key concepts related to how businesses can successfully utilize Internet and Web technologies. You will be introduced to the concepts and challenges of electronic commerce. Topics include a comparison of e-commerce procedures, payment mechanisms, applications across various industry sectors, security concerns, and the challenges of starting and maintaining an online business. Additionally, e-commerce practices will be compared with traditional business models. The development of a WordPress-themed website is a minor feature of the course. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Tomic
PSY B55
M
2:30 pm – 5:15 pm
A2
IND
Tomic
CGS 515
T
12:30 pm – 3:15 pm
O1
IND
Tomic
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET AD 670 Creative Multimedia: Tools, Design, and Application
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AD 648 - Prereq: MET AD648 Introduces creative aspects of Web design using application programs such as Flash and Rixio/Adobe Multimedia. Students will have an opportunity to develop applications that integrate text content with video, digital photographs, computer animation, and computer graphics for website enhancement. This course will also focus on the exploration of a range of issues such as principles of good Web design and use of multimedia/Flash in major business applications. Students will create projects that integrate digital media, digital sound, and computer animation for e-learning, e-commerce, and related application areas. [ 4 cr. ]
MET AD 737 Innovative Marketing Techniques
Fall ‘25
This course will provide you with the theoretical understanding of the Internet marketplace necessary to adapt to its many changes, while also equipping you with the skills you'll need to perform vital daily functions. The course includes discussions of both B2B and B2C and looks at marketing and communications from an integrated, business-wide perspective. The goal is to appreciate principles and practice of online marketing. Topics include integrated innovative marketing strategy, search engine marketing, email marketing, and social media. 4cr. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Luther
HAR 211
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Quintino
STH B22
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A3
IND
Quintino
CAS 426
W
2:30 pm – 5:15 pm
O2
IND
Trainor
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
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 placed 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.
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.
BU MET Programs offer the flexibility of part-time or full-time study. Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. If you enroll in 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, you are charged the part-time per-credit rate. If you enroll in 3–4 courses (12–16 credits) in a semester, you are charged the full-time semester rate.
MS in Advertising (On Campus)
Enrollment Status
Part Time
Full Time
Courses per Semester
2 courses (8 credits)
4 courses (16 credits)
3 courses (12 credits)
Time to Degree
5 semesters (20 months)
3 semesters (12-16 months)***
4 semesters (16-20 months)***
Tuition*
$567-$1,005 per credit**
$34,935 per semester
$34,935 per semester
Fees per Semester*
$75
$501
$501
Total Degree Cost*
$40,575
$78,987
$110,403
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition & fee rates. **Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $567/credit, 600–999 = $1,005/credit). ***Summer semester enrollment is not required for international students to maintain F-1 visa status. Enrollment in summer semester coursework will expedite completion of program and reduce total program cost.
International students seeking an F-1 visa for on-campus study must enroll full time and demonstrate availability of funds to cover the Estimated Cost of Graduate Study; those who wish to study online may enroll part-time but are not eligible for a visa. Learn more about International Student Tuition & Fees.
Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit BU MET’s Financial Aid page.
Get Started
Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.