M.A. Program

The flexibility of the M.A. program allows the student to create a graduate degree focused on their interests through the advertising electives and minors. Most students complete the M.A. program in eighteen to twenty-one months. Below are the two M.A. degree options offered. 

Degree Plans:
M.A. in Advertising with Thesis     Degree Plan
M.A. in Advertising no Thesis        Degree Plan

Download the MA Handbook for detailed information about all aspects of the program.

Areas of Specialization

After being trained in all aspects of advertising from a management perspective, many students will either become Media Planners, Account Executives, Account Planners, Art Directors, Copywriters, or find work in marketing/advertising positions within companies. Students interested in becoming Art Directors or Copywriters have the opportunity to apply to the Department's nationally recognized Texas Creative Program, in which they build a portfolio of work. These creative courses can count as elective courses toward the MA degree.

Texas Creative Program
The Texas Creative program is designed to mold talented students into skilled advertising copywriters and art directors. To achieve that goal, it focuses on the creative and strategic thinking required to make the highest quality advertising messages. The program consists of several Portfolio classes in which students are expected to learn conceptual and critical thinking skills, computer design and page layout skills, and copywriting. The sequence also helps students develop the portfolio of creative work that is required of those seeking jobs in advertising.

Please note that admission to the Graduate Program does NOT guarantee admission to the Texas Creative program.

Texas Media Program
The Texas Media program is designed to familiarize students with the art and science of understanding consumer behavior in order to make strategic media decisions. The program emphasizes decision making and critical thinking in order to prepare students for the complexities of planning, implementing, and evaluating media. Completion of the program requires a minimum of three courses (9 hours) with particular emphasis on media management issues facing advertisers. As part of the Texas Media program, Texas Interactive is grounded in a philosophy which focuses on the diffusion of "interactivity" throughout the advertising and communication world.

Texas Account Planning
The Texas Account Planning program is designed to allow students to observe, interpret, and integrate consumer insights into the advertising creative process. Two account planning elective courses in addition to coursework in minor areas such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology are available to students interested in this area. The Center for Brand Research brings a real world perspective to the study of account planning by providing research opportunities that deal with both the development of branding theory and the practice of branding.

Planners from the Account Planning program have been employed by the following companies: Tracy-Locke; PGA Tour, FL; Mercury Mambo; Razorfish, NYC; Chiel, Seoul; TBWA/Chiat/Day; Northstar, Toronto; Arnold, Washington, D.C.; Nike Fashion and Vision; Phillip Morris USA; Mullen Advertising, Boston; Y&R, Amsterdam; Brandshop, San Francisco; BBH, NYC; Y&R, Chicago; Danone, Sweden; Richards Group; Martin Williams; McGarry Bowen, NYC; GSD&M; Milano AD, Milano; Latin Works; Tocquigny; Group M, Shanghai; Y & R Taiwan. 

Advising

The Graduate Advisor, Dr. Gary Wilcox, is the overall director of Graduate Studies within the Department of Advertising. Dr. Wilcox approves the student's course selections each semester as well as all formal documents during the student's program of study. Each student is required to consult the Graduate Advisor prior to registration each semester so that advising bars may be cleared. An online advising site is available to facilitate the process.

Since registration is a busy time, students should feel free to see the Graduate Advisor throughout the semester to discuss more in-depth academic planning.  

Graduate Coordinator

The Graduate Coordinator, Luisa Medrano, plays a vital role in the day-to day operations of the departments graduate program. Luisa informs and assists students in dealing with University and Departmental policy so that each student receives individual attention and the opportunity to become familiar with and functional within the University.  

Students should feel free to see the Graduate Coordinator throughout the semester if assistance is needed concerning application, admission, registration, candidacy, and graduation.