Top Graduate School Programs for Aspiring Creative Professionals in Marketing and Advertising

For those looking to pursue a career in marketing and advertising or have a desire to learn more about the industry, pursuing a graduate program focused on creativity can provide a competitive edge. As the situation stands in 2020, advertising materials are everywhere we look. From catchy jingles on television to eye-catching billboards and from crafty podcast adverts to sponsored mobile content, brands are enjoying the advantage of being able to reach vast audiences. As for annual pay, marketing managers are earning more than $55,000 on average, while art directors can easily make more than $100,000 per year.

Notwithstanding handsome salaries and increased demand for brand promotion, advertising jobs in the United States have actually declined during the most recent period of economic expansion. Programmatic advertising and the rise of artificial intelligence are often cited as the culprit in this regard, but what marketing professionals should keep in mind is that their field has become very competitive. Creativity is what brands are looking for these days and this calls for a closer evaluation of degree programs.

Across the nation, there are a variety of graduate programs available to aspiring creative professionals. Most of these programs give students an opportunity to get an in-depth look at what the marketing and advertising hiring managers are looking for. What you should be looking for is coursework that provides agency perspectives, creative outlooks, and valuable marketing techniques. For prospective creatives, a graduate program in advertising can be the missing element to boost their careers.

The following is a list of the top graduate schools marketing professionals should consider in terms of creativity:

Florida International University

Name of Graduate Program: Master of Science in Mass Communication – Creative Track in partnership with Miami Ad School

Location: Miami, Florida

What makes this graduate program unique is its creative track focus, which allows students to complete their graduate studies as well as getting a degree that emphasizes art direction, copywriting, strategy or social media. The diversity of the program gives creatives the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge about communications, research methods, and strategic marketing from an accredited institution of higher learning. Along with the traditional coursework, graduates will also complete a professional portfolio with the guidance of world-renowned Miami Ad School instructors.

Miami Ad School provides creatives a real-time agency experience. Students actually get the chance to meet with advertising agencies and complete client briefs throughout the program, which can be completed in 18 months. You can opt for a semester away in any other Miami Ad School location or an Agency Lab at world-renowned agencies. This program is truly a great option for aspiring creatives who are looking to sharpen their creativity as well as gaining skills and knowledge about the industry. Prospective students can learn more about this program by getting in touch with Professor Grizelle De Los Reyes, director of the Global Strategic Communications Creative Track.

University of Illinois

Name of Graduate Program: Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication

Location: Urbana – Champaign, Illinois

The Strategic Brand Communication graduate program at the University of Illinois is solely completed online, which makes it beneficial for students that may already be working full-time but are looking to gain more experience and educational knowledge in the advertising industry. This program favors a data-driven approach to marketing. Students can complete within 15 months; the goal is to prepare students to be strategic leaders in the marketing and advertising industry.

University of Florida

Name of Graduate Program: Master of Advertising

Location: Gainesville, Florida

The University of Florida offers aspiring creatives a graduate program that awards students with a Master of Advertising degree upon completion. This program prepares students with two key elements: a standard, educational approach plus chance to expertise in a specialized track. Within the program, students have the chance to complete essential courses in strategic advertising and communications planning while also completing basic marketing and research courses.

Another side of the UF program gives graduates the opportunity to develop their skills and experiences in a specialized area of their choice, including creative marketing, research, advertising management, and other concentrations in the field. This program requires completion of a thesis or professional project before graduation, which can be a valuable choice for creatives looking to gain theoretical as well as practical experience.

Boston University

Name of Graduate Program: Master of Science in Advertising

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

The MS in Advertising at Boston University is one of a kind. The school provides students with the chance to participate in a one or two semester-long AdLab track, which has the distinction of being the world’s oldest and largest agency ran solely by students. Students who take part in the AdLab program will gain a valuable agency perspective while also completing their graduate studies at a respected university.

Aside from being involved with hands-on advertising work with real-time clients, students are required to take a variety of courses to develop strategic thinking and communication methods. Prospective applicants should keep in mind that one of the requirements for program entry includes passing a Master’s Comprehensive Exam. The well-rounded advertising program at Boston University currently stands as a three-semester-long program, including the option to complete a thesis track.

Setting aside school choices, aspiring creatives who complete a graduate program can gain a new outlook on the marketing and advertising profession. For those creatives looking to achieve the most from their graduate studies, having both a portfolio and master’s degree is beneficial to a professional career in advertising. Please contact Program Director Grizelle De Los Reyes today to learn more about the Global Strategic Communications – Creative Track program at FIU.