MS in Advertising at Boston University

Programme overview

A programme offering advanced, focused learning in the practice of advertising, covering account strategy, creative development, consumer insight, media and account management. Students work in creative and account teams and can join AdLab, a student-operated agency.

Faculty: College of Communication | Duration: Minimum 12 courses (48 units); full-time students finish in three terms, part-time six or more terms | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Four core courses (16 units), at least four concentration courses (16 units; e.g. Art Direction, Advertising Copywriting, Interactive Marketing Strategy, Portfolio Development, Graduate Internship) and 16 units of electives, plus a faculty-reviewed Presentation of Final Work.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

College of Communication master's programmes: no minimum GPA and no required undergraduate major; GRE not required. Two recommendation letters, a personal statement with programme-specific prompts, a resume or CV, unofficial transcripts at application, and a Kira Talent assessment are required, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is needed before enrolling. English proficiency is required for applicants with a degree from a non-English-speaking institution: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the scale used from January 2026), TOEFL Essentials 10.5, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 130. Application fee $95. Priority deadline February 1, final deadline May 1. Advertising: one document of up to 750 words (interest in advertising and analysis of a recent campaign); portfolio link optional.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities