Masters in Advertising: Online Master of Advertising Programs

Top Advertising & Marketing Masters Degrees

The top advertising executives will almost always have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college. For further advancement and networking opportunities within the advertising industry, a master's degree in advertising or marketing is a preferred option among many individuals. Below are the top online colleges offering master's degrees in advertising or similar fields.

MBA: Marketing MBA: Global Marketing	University of Liverpool : An MBA in Marketing from the University of Liverpool helps students enhance their advertising skills and assist companies in meeting the challenges of a global economy. Organizations continue to become more complex with time and effective marketing has increased in importance in a company from its competition. A MBA in Global Marketing is also offered which aims at providing students with an in-depth understanding of global consumer practices.
MBA: Intl. Marketing	Boston University : An MS in International Marketing Management from Boston University allows students to expand their marketing and advertising skills. Candidates will be given a true international perspective and take management classes designed to prepare the future marketing leaders. In this program, you will participate in real word marketing plans which will develop skills that you will use in your future career. After graduation from this program, students possess a sound foundation promising a long lasting and successful career.
MS: Internet Marketing MFA: Media Design	Full Sail University : The MS in Internet marketing, and MFA in media design degree programs from Full Sail University are great gateways to an education on how to build and create effective marketing campaigns. The skills learned in these programs are in demand, as companies look for future leaders to help them communicate their message both at home and around the world.
MBA: Marketing MS: Media Psychology	Walden University : The MBA in Marketing from Walden University will help you grow in your marketing and advertising skill sets. Marketing is changing everyday with the advancement of technology and this program teaches you how to effectively use these technologies to reach out to customers. A MS in Psychology in Media Psychology will teach you the best industry methods to reach customers and create a positive impact on them.
MBA: Marketing	Strayer University : The MBA in Marketing degree from Strayer University transforms marketers into leaders of the future. Every company relies on strong team leaders than can produce advertising results. It is important that the marketing materials representing your company consider the global economy when attracting clients. This program prepares professional advertisers to effectively reach out to all available customers helping to meet the future growth needs of the company.
MBA: Marketing	University of Phoenix : An MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix will assist you in pursuing a career path in advertising and other marketing functions. In your marketing classes you will take classes that will teach you how to design and implement effective strategies to differentiate your company and the products or services that it provides to customers. You will also cover key topics such as management communication skills, product and service pricing, and methods to market to a global growing market.
MBA: Marketing	Benedictine University : Benedictine University offers both an online Bachelor of Management in marketing and MBA in marketing. The curriculum features courses that examine communication, consumerism, promotional campaigns, market research strategies, and touch on the new international aspect of the marketing business.
MBA: Marketing	Marylhurst University : The Marylhurst University MBA in marketing program features admissions on a rolling basis, which allows access to the class four times a year. Students are also able to select a program offered one night a week, weekends, or online. With a course load of two classes per term, students can complete this marketing degree in a little over two years.
MBA: Marketing	Kaplan University : The MBA in Marketing program at Kaplan University is a great opportunity for students seeking to grow their understanding of relevant marketing methods. Graduates will learn effective advertising skills that can be utilized in business settings. Graduates will also learn how to create and communicate marketing plans and understand the financial impact they have on companies.
MBA: Marketing	South University : An MBA in Marketing from South University teaches candidates state-of-the-art advertising techniques. Marketers are responsible for attracting new clients to a business. With such an important role to the overall health of an organization, it is important that marketers are aware of the best ways to market to potential clients. This program covers effective business strategies that reach out to customers and grow positive relationships.
MBA: Marketing	Capella University : The MBA in Marketing from Capella University allows students to expand their knowledge of highly effective advertising techniques. Marketing practices are evolving every day, and this program is designed to teach students how to implement strategies that reach out to clients and create positive brand recognition. This program will also teach you how to carry out an effective and powerful marketing plan.
MBA: Marketing	Ashford University : Earning an MBA in Marketing from Ashford University helps you develop skills necessary to grow your business through effective marketing campaigns. Companies require the skill sets of marketing professional to develop promotional advertising programs that attract new business to your company. This program will teach you how to put together an effective marketing program enabling companies to grow their customer base and reach the financial goals that they have set.
Master of Intl. Marketing	University of Maryland University College : The MS in Management - Marketing program is designed for leaders within marketing divisions wishing to expand their industry knowledge. This program develops advertising skills as well as leadership skills necessary to acquire and manage new businesses. A Master of International Management in International Marketing Management is a specialized program that creates marketing leaders. It focuses on how to attract and retain global clients and retain them as long term customers.
MBA: Marketing	American InterContinental University : An MBA in Marketing from American InterContinental University helps advertising professionals stay competitive in the global environment faced today. It is important to know how to advertise to clients that are not within the local reach of a company. Through this program professionals will gain a competitive edge by learning how to develop and apply effective marketing strategies.
MBA: Marketing	Keiser University : The MBA in Marketing from Keiser University prepares students to advertise in the current global environment. Students will be given opportunities to gain modern business world experience that they can then utilize in their workplace. Marketing can be a highly effective way to attract new clients to a business and this program teaches different tools that can be used to meet the needs of companies.

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What is an Advertising Degree?

A Master of Advertising gives you the know-how and experience to move up the corporate ladder in the world of advertising. The advertising industry is set to grow about 18% through 2018, but keep in mind the number of management and executive positions may be limited, as people in these positions tend to stay at their jobs for a long time. Advertising is a very competitive business, so you’ll need a combination of education, experience and networking skill to land a dream job. Advertising is also about paying your dues, so it is not unusual for someone with a master’s degree to work in a lower level position until they have proven themself capable of designing effective campaigns. Working in advertising requires you to be comfortable working on a team and if you have stellar leadership skills, this can work greatly in your favor. There are many leadership positions throughout the advertising industry and it’s important for your superiors to know you work well with others and can motivate and inspire a group to create and execute advertising campaigns that will get the company noticed and most importantly, keep clients coming back.

There are many Master of Advertising online programs. Look for an accredited program that will be recognized in your state, allowing you to gain employment with many advertising firms or in the advertising department of high profile companies. Master of Advertising part-time online and distance learning programs are available through many major universities and colleges.

The exponential increase in computer power has sparked a revolution, and digital technology now pervades every industry. All of advertising depends heavily on technology, computer programs, social networking, viral campaigns and using the Internet to get and keep your target consumer’s attention. There is also a focus on international marketing, advertising management and strategy. You can expect to take extensive writing courses and expand on the fundamental parts of advertising you may already be familiar with such as ethics, practices of advertising, marketing and communication. Those with a background in digital communication and technology will be needed in great numbers as print journalism dwindles and venues for printed advertising disappear one by one. International opportunities, and jobs for people who speak more than one language, are many in the advertising world because companies in the global superpowers are looking to expand their selling power in growing markets in the developing world.

Job Opportunities for Those with a Master of Advertising?

Job titles mean a lot in the advertising world, and getting a leadership role such as project manager or executive director usually comes with a fat paycheck and a lot of respect in the company. These jobs aren’t easy to come by, though, and if you got into advertising because you want to make art or write copy, aiming for the corner office might not be for you. Below is a list of common job titles in advertising firms, and the requirements that come with them.

Project Manager

A project manager works to plan, oversee and execute a project by coordinating with the art department, copywriters, and sales representatives. Project managers work as the team leader to ensure all guidelines for a project are being followed and that the team is consistently on the right track until it is time to deliver the finished product or campaign. It is important for project managers to be flexible, as projects in the advertising change all of the time, whether it’s budget or time constraints. Project managers typically work hectic and unpredictable schedules, driven by deadlines and short-notice needs. A project manager knows how to delegate tasks to capable individuals to keep the team running effectively. It is usually the project manager that takes meetings with a client and keeps in close communication with the client, showing progress reports of the project, when and if requested. Some clients want to hear a project manager and team’s vision and see them carry that out with autonomy, while others like to be updated as the project progresses. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising and promotion managers had a median annual income of $80,220 in May of 2008. A project manager’s income may also include a substantial bonus for job performance, and large raises during windfall years are common.

In-House Marketing Executive

With work experience and a Master of Advertising, you are in a prime position to work in-house as a marketing executive. This means you are on payroll for a company and work to market the company’s own products or even just one division of their products. Large companies with many products have marketing executives for nearly all sectors of their company. If a company makes dolls and bedding, there is usually a marketing executive over toys and a separate for lifestyle or home items. An in-house marketing executive should have ample experience in the position they’re applying for and be familiar with the brand they will be marketing. A marketing executive should have strong leadership qualities and the ability to oversee many projects going on at once. You may have to change a business plan or model, evaluate progress on a project or create new strategies to make a project work. A marketing executive typically works beyond the normal work hours of 9-5 and can also work at the office on holidays or weekends. Many marketing executives also travel extensively to see progress on products or campaigns. Marketing managers earned a median annual income of $97,260 as of May, 2008, which can be bolstered substantially by performance based bonuses and annual raises.

In-House Public Relations Manager

Public relations workers don’t usually market products as much as they work to maintain a company’s image and establish contact between the company and the community in which it participates and markets its products. Public relations managers are nearly always on-call and expected to report to the office or create a press release addressing a situation when needed. Public relations managers work with project managers and marketing teams to maintain brand image and try to keep the public perceiving the company in positive light. Public relations managers must excel in communicating, writing and networking. It is all about networking and getting your brand or company’s name out there. This puts a public relations manager on duty around the clock. You are working to build relationships that will help your brand or company more visible. A public relations manager should be very comfortable speaking to new people and able to make decisions quickly. You will work with marketing and advertising departments, as well as upper level management and executives. Those with experience in online PR will find the most job opportunities in the coming decade. Public relations managers can expect to make about $89,430 per year.

Production Jobs in Advertising

Another major aspect of the advertising industry is the production of ads themselves. Companies spend billions to make sure their advertisements are perfect, and they hire professional artists, photographers and photo editors, copywriters, printmakers, film producers, and all manner of other audiovisual artists to produce the glossy, high-impact ads that appear on TV, in magazines, and on the internet. Several of the production positions in advertising include:

“Creative”: The workers that people in the ad industry call “creatives” are usually the people who draws up initial ad concepts, which are then critiqued, cut up, remixed, and generally worked over brainstorm-style until they fit the message the executives want to send about the company. If you want to make art, but you’re ok with other people having a lot of input into it, this could be for you.
Sales Representative: Ad space is expensive, so companies that make advertisements have to be sure they’re getting their money’s worth when they pay thousands of dollars for a small color ad in a prestigious paper or magazine. Ad sales representatives call potential clients and ask if they’d like to have an ad placed in a particular publication.
Copywriter: You know the slogans for major companies: “I’m Lovin’ It,” “Think Different,” “Once You Pop, You Can’t Stop;” You can probably name the three major brands that use those phrases to make their products memorable. Somebody has to write those and then argue that they’ll do the best job of getting a brand to stick in a consumer’s mind. That someone is a copywriter. In this position, you’ll write everything from three word taglines to paragaphs

If you’re interested in a master’s degree in advertising or another marketing related field, getting in touch with a few schools that offer those degrees is the best way to get details on how you can get started. The links below can help you contact accredited schools that offer these degrees, so you can find out more about course schedules, enrollment requirements, financial aid offerings, and other important info.