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Advertising—M.A. & Graduate Certificate

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Advertising Courses
Tuition & Aid

Lipscomb University’s advertising graduate programs are designed for ethical, creative advertising and marketing professionals who want to advance their careers to the next level. Through these programs, you can learn the strategies, techniques, theories, methods, channels and modalities of advertising for a wide variety of applications. Whether promoting a brand, product or service in the local, national or global marketplace, creating support for a good cause or shaping public opinion, the advertising graduate program provides you with the advanced training necessary to become an advertising expert.

Available on our Nashville campus and Austin Center location, both the Master of Arts in Advertising and graduate certificate programs are offered in a hybrid format with a blend of online and on-campus courses.

Applied Areas of Focus

Combining courses, experiential learning, applied research and independent study, Lipscomb University’s advertising graduate programs offer a wide range of specializations. Under the supervision of the graduate program coordinator, you have the following options for areas of focus:

Advertising Agency and Services
Advertising Campaigns
Advertising Creative and Innovative Strategies
Advertising Effects
Advertising to Children
Advertising Research
Advertising Theory and Models
Consumer Behavior and Audience Analytics
Crisis and Emergency Messaging
Health and Risk Messaging
Inspirational and Religious Advertising
International and Intercultural Advertising
Political Advertising
Public Service Advertising
Social Issue Advocacy Advertising
Social Media and Interactive New Media Advertising

4+1 B.A. to M.A. in Advertising Bridge Program

Lipscomb undergraduate students can earn a master’s degree in Advertising by continuing their education for an additional year beyond their undergraduate studies. This “bridge” program does not require a thesis defense or comprehensive examinations for graduation.

Undergraduate (B.A.) advertising majors in good academic standing may apply for admission to the B.A. to M.A. graduate bridge program. During your final semester of undergraduate study, you can take up to two graduate courses (six credit hours) and then transition to graduate student status to complete the rest of the program. This convenient pathway lets you earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees while in continuous residence at Lipscomb University. For more information, contact Dr. Bob Chandler, the communication graduate program coordinator.

Advertising Program Outcomes

Guided by world-renowned advertising experts, Lipscomb University’s Advertising programs provide a holistic understanding of various media channels and shape your mastery of the theory and best practices for successful applications in today’s marketplace.

Our graduate programs in Advertising hone skills in critical areas including:

Advertising functions and strategies
Types and methods of advertising
Campaign management
Communication theories and models
Consumer behavior analytics
Ethical advertising norms
Mass communication impacts
Persuasion and influence

Through the rigorous coursework, you’ll gain insights into how professional advertising fits in the contemporary communication setting. You will unlock the abilities to explore ethical frameworks, analyze international communication in a globalized economy and cross-culturally diverse world, and determine the key components shaping the current practices of advertising

Advertising Career Opportunities

The Master of Arts in Advertising degree program provides the essential foundation and applications to ignite your career success. The Advertising certificate program also enhances your strategic skills and sophisticated communication abilities needed for a career change or professional development.

Equipped with the knowledge and strategic insights gained through the advanced studies of communication, you can unlock many career opportunities in advertising—whether it is in established communication agencies; midsize to large businesses and corporations; not-for-profit charitable, service, religious or spiritual organizations; or local, state and national public sector agencies and government bodies. Common positions include:

Advertising Manager/Specialist/Associate/Coordinator
Marketing Communication Director, Manager or Senior Executive
Director of Advertising/Marketing
Communication Creative Director
Digital Advertising Manager/Specialist
Brand Manager/Director
Digital Media Planner
Media Coordinator/Director
Social Media Advertising Manager/Strategist
Media Buyer/Specialist

Learn More about the Master of Arts and Graduate Certificate Programs in Advertising

Do you envision yourself working as a creative advertising professional? Earn a master’s degree or a graduate certificate in advertising to excel in the competitive, ever-changing world of marketing and communications. Apply today or request information to learn more about Lipscomb’s advertising graduate programs.

Why Choose Lipscomb University’s Advertising Graduate Programs?

Advertising is a multi-trillion-dollar economic engine at the center of the global economy and a primary means of advocacy, influence and social issue persuasion. The professional communication field of advertising is at the forefront of innovation in individual behavior, technology and society.

With hands-on learning, global experience and renowned faculty, Lipscomb University’s Advertising graduate programs develop your strategic and creative thinking abilities to succeed in the ever-changing marketplace.

Admissions Requirements

Ready to apply to Lipscomb University’s advertising program? Let’s get started. We’re here to help at every step. Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit the following for admission review and enrollment:

Completed and submitted an online application
$50 non-refundable application fee
Official college transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities (including graduate, if applicable)
Two letters of reference
Résumé
Goals statement describing career aspirations
Interview with faculty (on-campus, virtually, or by phone)
For transcripts, electronic copies can be emailed directly from your undergraduate institution to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu.

If you are having a hard copy mailed, have it sent to:

Lipscomb University

Graduate Admissions

One University Park Drive

Nashville, TN 37204

Prior coursework and experience in communication, including advertising, public relations, mass communication, or communication social sciences are desirable but not required.

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline for Fall 2021: June 1 with decisions released on June 10
Final deadline for Fall 2021: August 1

Please note: You may submit your application and required materials prior to the priority deadline, and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.

International Students

Advertising Courses

Lipscomb University’s advertising certificate program contains 15 credit hours of courses, and the master’s degree program consists of 36 credit hours of study which students can complete in as little as one year.

*Completing the Master’s in Advertising program in one year requires full-time study (12 hours) for three consecutive semesters including summer.

Master of Arts in Advertising Courses

The master’s program courses focus on critical areas including advertising functions and strategies, ad campaign management, communication theories, consumer behavior, advertising regulation and ethics, advertising in new media and mass communication, and leading-edge insights into persuasion and influence.

Students must complete 30 credit hours of core courses, advertising requirements and elective courses. In addition to the theoretical coursework, the Master of Arts in Advertising program includes a 3-credit-hour experiential requirement for an internship and externship. To earn your master’s degree, you also need to complete the final three credits with a thesis or an additional final course as a capstone for the degree.

MA in Advertising Course List

Core Courses (9 hours)
CO 6113 - Pro Seminar in Communication and Communication Theory
MC 6003 - Mass Communication Messages and Effects
MC 6013 - Persuasion in Mass Communication

Advertising Core Requirements (12 hours)
ADV 6013 - Multimedia, Web and Visual Communication
ADV 6023 - Consumer Behavior/Audience Analytics
ADV 6033 - Account Management and Advertising Campaigns
ADV 6313 - Seminar in Advertising

Electives Requirements (9 hours)
Select three courses (9 credit hours) from the following list, or complete additional experiential learning units with the consent of your graduate advisor. Some of these elective courses may only be offered infrequently or based upon sufficient student demand.

ADV 6043 - Layout, Copy and Design Efficacy Variables
ADV 6123 - Integrating Data Analysis and Creative Practices
ADV 6143 - Advertising Regulations and Ethics
ADV 6213 - Advertising Innovations and Creativity
ADV 6Xn3 - Special Topics in Advertising (may be repeated with different topic)
ADV 6813 - Independent Study (may be repeated)
CO 6203 - Corporate and Organizational Communication
CO 6313 - Seminar in Health Communication
CO 6323 - Seminar in Intercultural Communication

Required Experiential (3 hours)
Complete 3 credit hours of applied and experiential learning selected with the consent of your graduate advisor. Any of these courses may be repeated for 3 additional hours toward the electives requirement.

ADV 6233 - Applied Communication Research in Advertising
ADV 6903 - Graduate Project in Advertising
ADV 6913 - Graduate Internship in Advertising
ADV 6923 - Graduate Externship in Advertising

Required Matriculation (3 hours)
Choose one option below with the consent of your graduate advisor.

M.A. Thesis and Oral Defense Option
CO 6593 - Thesis: Communication Research Methods

Non-Thesis Option
Select one additional course (3 credit hour units) from the above electives list.

Graduate Certificate in Advertising

The certificate program courses are designed to help you harness essential advertising and communication skills in a short period of time. Through 12 credit hours of required courses, you can learn effective advertising strategies, consumer behaviors and account management. In addition, with a 3-credit-hour elective course, you can continue building on your expertise in a subject that interests you the most.

Advertising Certificate Course List

Required Courses (12 hours)
ADV 6013 - Multimedia, Web and Visual Communication
ADV 6023 - Consumer Behavior/Audience Analytics
ADV 6033 - Account Management and Advertising Campaigns
ADV 6313 - Seminar in Advertising

Select one additional course (3 credit hours) from the following list:
ADV 6043 - Layout, Copy and Design Efficacy Variables
ADV 6123 - Integrating Data Analysis and Creative Practices
ADV 6213 - Advertising Innovations and Creativity

Tuition & Aid

Lipscomb University’s world-class education is a smart investment for your future. Whether you attend the advertising programs in Nashville or Austin, the program tuition is $1,030* per credit hour. You can also apply for financial aid to reduce your cost of attendance. Learn more about our financial aid options:

*Note: Graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective at the start of the summer term.

Types of Aid

Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last.

Graduate PLUS Loan

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check, and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Contact Information

Graduate and Adult Admissions, Admin

Quiana Rivers

quiana.rivers@lipscomb.edu

Practical Applied Experiential Curriculum

With an immersive course of study emphasizing experiential learning, you will build skills and experience through internships or externships while expanding your knowledge of professional best practices in our relevant, cutting-edge curriculum.

Multiple Campus Locations

Offered online and on-campus in Nashville, Tennessee and at our Austin Center in Texas, the advertising courses feature a flexible schedule. You can enjoy the convenience of taking courses from your preferred location in a hybrid format that accommodates your busy lifestyle.

Austin Center Campus

World-Class Subject Matter Expert Faculty

Guided by distinguished advertising experts with years of professional experience in the field, you will learn the most current industry best practices and forward-thinking advertising strategies that you need to elevate your career as a professional communicator.

Professional Contacts and Career Networking

Lipscomb’s Advertising program provides ample networking opportunities. You can build a network among your peers and with connected faculty who will provide support and encouragement during your time in the program and beyond. These connections can help you open more doors to a variety of career paths.

Global Perspectives

Through coursework focused on international communication, you’ll gain a global perspective that will help you deliver persuasive messaging for clients across cultural boundaries.

Our Faculty

Bob Chandler

Director, Graduate and Professional Programs

Dr. Chandler provides leadership with the graduate and professional programs in communication as well as serving as teaching faculty graduate student mentor. He serves as the coordinator of graduate studies...
Meet Bob Chandler
Aerial Ellis

Assistant Professor

Emerging among the brightest in the industry, Dr. Aerial Ellis is a gifted strategist and storyteller who nurtured an entrepreneurial spirit early in her career by launching her first public...
Meet Aerial Ellis

Career Paths

Agency

Work with multiple clients as a professional in an advertising or communication agency in account management and servicing roles as well as integrated media planning and campaign oversight. Help clients strategize, conduct consumer behavior research, plan, design, create, deliver and assess 21st century advertising messages in multiple media formats. Effectively work with clients and media outlets to create, buy media to place, implement and assess advertising efforts and ad campaigns.

Corporate

Oversee the products and services advertising for a company or business as a communication manager working as part of an “in-house” advertising team. Help your organization strategize, conduct consumer behavior research, plan, design, create, deliver and assess the advertising messages in multiple media formats. Effectively work with external partners and media outlets to create, buy media to place, implement and assess advertising efforts and ad campaigns of your company.

Not-for-profit

Oversee the issues persuasion, attitude and behavioral action, and advocacy advertising for a not-for-profit organization as a communication manager working as part of an “in-house” advertising team. Help your charitable, service, religious, educational, professional association, political or social issue organization strategize, conduct consumer behavior research, plan, design, create, deliver and assess the advertising messages in multiple media formats. Effectively work with external partners and media outlets to create, buy media or place public service advertising, implement and assess advertising efforts and ad campaigns of your organization.