About the Master's 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. Many students complete the M.A. program in 18 months, but most take two years. Below are the three M.A. degree options offered.
M.A. in Advertising without Thesis/Professional Report
Hours Required: 39*
No Thesis/PR Degree Plan
M.A. in Advertising with Thesis
Hours Required: 36*
Thesis Degree Plan
M.A. in Advertising with Professional Report
Hours Required: 33*
PR Degree Plan
M.A. Handbook
The M.A. Handbook provides detailed information about all aspects of the program including degree options, program requirements, advising, and other important topics.
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.
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.
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.
The Texas Interactive
program is grounded in a philosophy which focuses on the diffusion
of "interactivity" throughout the advertising and communication
world. "Interactivity" serves as the basic conceptual issue
that distinguishes this program. From this standpoint, TXI is not just
a phenomenon dealing with "another new medium." While the
interaction of humans with computer-mediated messages is one dominant
form of interactivity studied in the Texas Interactive program, the
interaction of humans with humans is at the core.
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.
The Graduate School has asked that we include the following disclaimer:
"These Web pages provide general information as a courtesy to viewers.
The catalog of the University (General Information, The
Undergraduate Catalog, The Graduate Catalog, and The
Law School Catalog) is the document of authority for all students.
The requirements given in the catalog supersede information issued by
any academic department, program, college, or school. The University
reserves the right to change the requirements given in the catalog at
any time."
