| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master's in Advertising
The Stan Richards School offers two Master’s degree options to prepare the student for successful careers – MA without Thesis and MA with Thesis. The degrees combine conceptual and theoretical underpinnings with knowledge about the practical aspects of advertising and the business environment within which it operates.
About the Master's Program
The flexibility of UT Austin’s M.A. program allows you to create a graduate degree focused on your interests and goals with a diversity of study through the advertising courses and supporting course work.
Program Details
In the M.A. Advertising program, students can create their own area of emphasis or the program offers three concentrations to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and allow for greater depths of study. Current concentrations include Texas Strategy, Texas Creative, and Texas Immersive. Students can also get an internship to widen their understanding of the industry.
Academic Concentrations
- M.A. with Thesis
- M.A. no Thesis
- M.A. Handbook
Admissions and Application Process
Application Requirements
- Online Application: A completed and submitted Electronic Online Admissions application.
- Three Letters of Reference: Three letters of reference from academic or professional sources.
- Statement or Essay: A statement of purpose or short essay defining and discussing goals in pursuing graduate work in advertising, intended research areas, and previous training, education and preparation.
- Optional GRE Score: An optional report from Educational Testing Service of the required GRE.
- Official Transcripts: Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work at all schools previously attended.
- Official Resume: A resume in PDF format describing work background or professional experience, if any.
Admissions
Our applicant evaluation process is holistic and will consider all components of your application materials. International applicants must submit the required, official TOEFL or IELTS score.
Test Scores
- GPA: UT Austin requires a minimum GPA of 3.0
- GRE: Optional
- TOEFL: Applicants whose first language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL exam.
Program Length
Most students complete this program in 21 months or less. Our M.A. program is a full-time, in-person, Monday through Friday curriculum.
Program Prerequisites
Many of our applicants have never taken a course in advertising and enter with degrees from other fields. That is not a problem. You can apply to the program even if you have absolutely no background in advertising. However, you must complete the following two prerequisites prior to your first semester in the program.
- A basic marketing course
- A basic statistics course
Grad School Eligibility
To be eligible for graduate study at The University of Texas at Austin, you should satisfy the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
- At least 3.0 grade-point average in all undergraduate upper-division work (junior & senior).
- OPTIONAL A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE) is not required.
- Written and oral English skills must be sufficient, at the outset of the program, for participation and contribution in classes and all written work.
Portfolio Programs
University Portfolio Programs are opportunities for students to obtain credentials in a cross-disciplinary academic area of inquiry while they are completing the requirements for a master's degree in their chosen discipline.
Dual-Degree Options
In addition, the Moody College of Communication offers several dual-degree options with the following programs:
- McCombs School of Business
- The Institute for Latin American Studies
- The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
- The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Graduate School Select Admission Program
The purpose of the Select Admissions Program is to encourage current undergraduate students with top academic records to remain at the university for a Texas Advertising graduate degree.
Advising
Every student is required to consult the Graduate Advisor prior to registration each semester so that advising bars may be cleared.
Internships
The graduate internship required by the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations is meant to enhance the classroom education with practical, applied experience in the real world.
Financial Aid
Fellowships
The Graduate School provides a limited number of university fellowships to graduate students. Fellowships are awarded competitively on the basis of three main criteria.
Scholarships
The Moody College of Communication scholarship application is open each January to admitted and continuing students.
Graduate Professional Development Award
If you present at a recognized conference, you may submit an application for support form.
Teaching/Graduate Assistantships
The Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations awards a very limited number of graduate teaching assistantships. Ph.D. students are given priority and are guaranteed funding for the first three years of study.
Other Financial Aid
Inquiries about other financial assistance, such as loans and work/study opportunities, should be directed to The Office of Student Financial Services.