Online Master’s in Advertising

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

An online advertising master’s degree requires aspiring students to meet specific criteria before getting admitted to the program. Each institution has different requirements and prerequisites, which a student would need to meet depending on the program. Here are some of the most common master’s in advertising admission requirements:  

• Application form 
• Nonrefundable application fee 
• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (3.0 GPA or more is preferred) 
• Official transcripts from all the universities which students have attended 
• Graduate Résumé 
• Minimum of two letters of recommendation meeting academic or professional requirements (differs by the institution) 
• Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement 
• Graduate Record Examination or GRE scores 
• Students lacking an appropriate background in the selected concentration may be required to take additional prerequisite courses.

Students applying for graduate programs must take the Graduate Record Examination or GRE and submit their scores while applying to a graduate program. Some colleges also have the GRE requirement as an option; therefore, they can submit their GRE scores if the students wish to. A master’s program with no GRE requirement makes it accessible to more students. Some examples of colleges offering online master’s in advertising with no GRE programs are:

The University of Illinois³

The University of Texas at Austin⁴

The University of Oregon⁵

Accredited Programs

Accreditation is a process of evaluating institutions in the country to ensure that they maintain high standards of educational quality. This process is executed by non-governmental bodies and is based on peer evaluation. Accrediting institutions would ensure that these institutions promote continuous improvement in education and provide quality resources to their students. A school’s accreditation could determine whether students can transfer credits between institutions or are eligible for federal financial aid. While applying to accredited master’s in advertising programs, students should check whether the institution they are applying to offers an accredited program that has been granted national or regional accreditation. Some of the bodies executing accreditation in the United States are: 

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)⁶
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)⁷
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)⁸
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)⁹
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)¹⁰
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)¹¹

There are no specific programmatic accreditations for the master’s in advertising program. For more information on accreditation, students can refer to the Accreditation Guide. 

The online master’s in advertising degree costs would differ from program and institution. Tuition, course material, additional elective costs, and travel are the main costs students bear; travel costs would be an exemption for students pursuing this program online. The tuition for an online master’s in advertising program varies depending on the institution’s and program’s requirements. Alongside working full-time while studying, there are several different funding mechanisms students can use to fund their graduate studies, some of which are:

Graduate School Scholarships

Graduate school scholarships can cover the partial or total cost of a degree. They are mostly awarded based on the student’s merit. However, other factors can also qualify students for scholarships, like community, cultural heritage, socioeconomic background, etc.  

Scholarships for Online Master’s in Advertising Students

Graduate students can fund their education by applying for different kinds of scholarships. Scholarships help students reduce their financial expenses considerably. Students can apply for scholarships based on academic success or merits in music, art, sport, etc. Here are some scholarships for a master’s in advertising degree: 

Note: The scholarships mentioned above are intended for students in the field of Marketing. However, advertising students can apply for these scholarships, as advertising is considered a branch of Marketing.

Grants

Grants are a good opportunity to seek financial assistance to alleviate the cost of a master’s. They are usually awarded to specific target groups or areas of education and research. While they may not be based on the student’s academic accomplishments, other factors are considered when awarding grants.  

FAFSA

Students can apply for federal aid, work-study, and loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA form. The college to which the student applies uses FAFSA data to determine if a student is eligible for federal aid. 

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are excellent options for students who want to build a network with people and fund their education simultaneously. Graduate assistants assist faculty members or departments with teaching, research, and other academic activities in exchange for a fee reduction or waiver. 

After earning their online advertising master’s, graduates could typically work in a wide range of settings where advertising is crucial. They can take up roles in public relations, communications, design, photography, and so on. Graduates would have the option to work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, advertising firms, industries, and so on.  

There are many roles where graduates can use their online master’s in advertising, which include job positions such as:  

• Account Executive 
• Brand Strategist 
• Ad Agency Executives 
• Product Managers 
• Advertising Managers
• Marketing Representative 
• Social Media Manager
• Account Coordination 
• Content Manager 
• Web and Graphic Designer 
• Copywriter 
• Strategic Planner 
• Public Relations Manager 
• Advertising Sales Representative  

The list below highlights the statistical data provided by the BLS on a few career options students can consider after earning an advertising online master’s: 

Certifications assure that professionals in a particular industry have the necessary ability, knowledge, and expertise to do their jobs efficiently. They help students get credibility to achieve high-level positions. Usually, every state has its certification requirements; therefore, the geographical location where a graduate wants to work is a critical factor. Advertising professionals must demonstrate high professionalism and industry-relevant skills while working. Certification could help them demonstrate such standards. There are no direct certifications for online master’s in advertising in the United States. However, related professional certifications are available as follows:

 American Marketing Association(AMA)²²

The AMA certifies digital marketing, marketing management, and content marketing. Advertising students interested in working in these related fields can consider these certifications.  

Certified Sales Professional²³

The Certified Sales Professional certification is an advantageous certification for advertising managers. This certification verifies the competency of a professional’s skills on the ground. 

Licensure does not apply to professionals in the advertising field. However, an advertising license is required by any person or organization wanting to engage in advertising activity (executing outdoor advertising, distributing advertising matters, etc.)

An online master’s in advertising student can benefit from using a wide range of resources. Joining one or more professional associations could benefit them in terms of professional networking and gaining confidence in advertising. Since advertising is a very dynamic field, tapping into various resources helps students and professionals keep track of changing trends and how to manage them effectively by drawing inputs from leading industry professionals. Here are a few resources to get started:  

American Advertising Federation (AAF)²⁴

As a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), students will have the opportunity to be part of a talented group of individuals who can provide access to connections, professional development, and resources that one would need to succeed in the advertising field.  

Association of National Advertisers (ANA)²⁵ 

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) is a leading marketing and advertising institution. It helps its members to be efficient marketers, build stronger brands, and lead industry and societal changes. ANA empowers individuals to be high performers through their professional developmental programs. 

Association of Network Marketing Professionals (ANMP)²⁶ 

The Association of Network Marketing Professionals (ANMP) unites various network marketing professionals whose community members share a common agenda. They help members maximize their income through strategic resources, career-building education, and access to leading professionals in the industry. 

Promax²⁷

Promax is one of the largest associations supporting the entertainment marketing community. They are a global association representing thousands of individuals who market, create, and distribute content through media.  Promax helps students connect, explore, and expand in the field.

International Advertising Association (IAA)²⁸ 

The International Advertising Association (IAA) is one of the most influential networks with a broad global spectrum comprising brands, tech platforms, media, PR, marketing research, etc. They provide professional development programs as well.