Are You Ready to Advance Your Advertising Career?
The part-time 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.
Program at a Glance
- On Campus
- Part-Time Study*
- 40 Credits
- 18–24 Months to Completion
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study**: $39,300
*International students requiring a visa are not eligible for admission to part-time programs that are only available on campus.
**Based on 2024–2025 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.
“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.
- Career Counseling: MET’s Career Development office and BU’s Center for Career Development offer a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for both online and on-campus students.
- 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.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Center for Mobile Communication Studies, Communication Research Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, and many others.
- 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 part-time 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.
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.
Core Courses
(Three courses/12 credits)
MET CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
MET CM 708 Principles and Practices of Advertising
MET CM 719 Interactive Marketing Communications
Electives
(Seven courses/28 credits)
Choose four advertising electives:
MET CM 702 Advertising and Society
MET CM 704 Contemporary Mass Communication
MET CM 711 Consumer Insight and Account Planning
MET CM 717 Fundamentals of Creative Development
MET CM 721 Advertising Management
MET CM 726 Strategic Brand Solutions
MET CM 736 New & Traditional Media Strategies
Advertising electives with a digital media focus:
MET CM 714 Video in the Digital Age
MET CM 716 Digital Communication
MET CM 737 Social Networks in Strategic Communication Planning
MET CM 739 Principles of Search Engine Marketing
MET CM 744 Design and New Media
Choose three management electives:
MET AD 632 Financial Concepts
MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
MET AD 733 Leadership in Management
MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
MET AD 852 International Market Research
MET AD 857 Marketing Strategies
MET AD 860 International Advertising
Management electives with a digital media focus:
MET AD 648 Ecommerce
MET AD 670 Creative Multimedia: Tools, Design, and Application
MET AD 737 Innovative Marketing Techniques
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.Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.How Much Does This Program Cost?
Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. Course enrollment in this program is 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, and tuition is charged as a part-time per-credit rate.
MS in Advertising (On Campus)
Enrollment Status | Part Time |
Courses per Semester | 2 courses (8 credits) |
Time to Degree | 5 semesters (20 months) |
Tuition* | $550-$975 per credit** |
Fees per Semester* | $60 |
Total Degree Cost* | $39,300 |
*Based on 2024-2025 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $550/credit, 600–999 = $975/credit).
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.
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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.
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