Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
In-Person
Bachelors/Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
In-Person
About the Advertising and Emerging Media Master's at Loyola
The Master of Science in Advertising & Emerging Media is an innovative graduate program designed for a world in which media exposure and the point of sale are inseparable. This 30-credit program prepares students to become "full-funnel" leaders who can design and manage connected customer journeys—from an influencer's post to a final sales conversion.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional ad creation, you will develop the high-level judgment required to lead in an AI-driven market. You will learn to strategically manage platforms, build brand ecosystems, and leverage data analytics and the psychology of influence to drive real-world commercial results. Whether your goal is to lead an agency team or launch your own venture, this degree provides the technical rigor and strategic creativity needed to navigate the future of communications.
Program Structure
The MS in Advertising and Emerging Media can be pursued full-time or part-time.
Full-time students take three classes per semester and typically complete the program within 18 months
Part-time students take two classes per semester and have up to three years to complete the program
For added flexibility, you have the option to switch between full- and part-time enrollment to accommodate your availability and schedule.
Classes are held on weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago.
International Student Notice
Please note that Loyola University Chicago is currently awaiting approval from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s for admitted students to this program. Once approved, we will be able to issue I-20s for international applicants to apply for an F-1 visa or to transfer their F-1 status to Loyola to study in this program. Until then, we cannot issue an I-20 specifically for this program. If your goal is to study on campus, we encourage you to explore our other School of Communication programs that are approved for I-20 issuance.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
Get a head start on your master’s degree by earning graduate credits as a senior. This program is eligible for an Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP), welcoming students from any undergraduate major who meet admission requirements.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your Advertising and Emerging Media Master's?
Loyola’s School of Communication is strategically located in Chicago, one of the world's largest media markets and global business hubs, serving as a direct bridge between academia and industry. Our program goes beyond traditional "account and creative" silos to prepare you for a portfolio career, with the flexibility to thrive at agencies, major brands, tech platforms, or startups. You’ll learn cutting-edge tools and processes and gain hands-on experience through real-world client projects.
- Skills to meet today’s marketing needs
- Launch your career at the intersection of media, tech, and commerce
- Train on the tools defining the future of media
- Experienced faculty with strong industry connections
- Small class cohorts = greater personal experience
- STEM-designated degree
Career opportunities are rapidly evolving as the lines between media, technology, and retail blur. In our program, students gain a competitive edge by mastering the intersection of human insight, platform ecosystems, and commercial outcomes. You will move beyond basic "content creation" to develop high-level strategic judgment and learn to orchestrate AI-driven workflows while maintaining the critical eye needed to refine machine outputs. By blending commercial literacy with experience design and data storytelling, you will build a versatile professional portfolio that delivers immediate value for agencies, global brands, and emerging startups alike.
Our downtown campus is in one of the world's largest media markets and global business hubs. Chicago is home to multinational corporations, leading communication agencies, prominent nonprofit organizations, and tech startups. Our location brings in guest speakers, facilitates class visits to local offices, and creates abundant opportunities for networking, employment, and professional development.
Go beyond traditional production in our Social and Livestream Commerce Studio, where you’ll learn to create content, sell in real time, and engage audiences across emerging platforms. You’ll also have direct access to the CUE Lab’s biometric research tools, including iMotions, which measures how audiences respond through attention, emotion, and physiological signals. Combined with social listening platforms like YouScan, these tools help you decode not only what audiences say but also how they react to content. Whether you are launching a live commerce event, analyzing audience sentiment, or testing human attention, you’ll work with the same professional technology stacks that innovative brands use to understand audiences and drive results.
Our faculty bring professional experience, industry relationships, and classroom expertise across advertising, media, and consumer behavior. Students learn from people who understand how brands, agencies, platforms, and audiences are changing, with expertise in areas such as AI, creative strategy, platform commerce, social media, livestreaming, consumer psychology, and audience analytics. Through practical coursework, mentorship, and industry connections, students gain a clearer view of where advertising is today and where it is heading.
The Advertising and Emerging Media program has been designed with you in mind. With small class sizes, our program provides you with individual attention and mentorship from faculty members while providing many opportunities for interacting and collaborating with fellow students and industry professionals.
The Advertising and Emerging Media MS holds the STEM qualification in Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM degree holders and advertisers with knowledge of emerging technology and data analysis.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Communication faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Advertising and Emerging Media MS program.
Faculty & StaffAdvertising and Emerging Media MS: Career Connections
While advertising and emerging media skills are increasingly valuable across industries, graduates are especially prepared for roles in agencies, brands, media companies, tech platforms, retail media networks, startups, and marketing technology firms. Potential career paths include:
- Advertising or PR Account Executive/Strategist
- Media Planner or Media Strategist
- Growth and Performance Media Specialist
- Retail Media Network Specialist
- Social Commerce Strategist or Producer
- Creator, Influencer, or Content Marketing Strategist
- AI Creative and Content Operations Specialist
- Emerging Media Entrepreneur
- Digital / Brand Experience Strategist
- Consumer Insights or Advertising Research Analyst
- Marketing Intelligence Analyst
- Media and Commerce Strategist
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to explore the job outlook and pay potential for specific jobs that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Advertising and Emerging Media MS program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Advertising and Emerging Media MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2025-2026 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogAdvertising and Emerging Media Results and Skills
The Advertising and Emerging Media MS program allows you to develop the skills in demand for any professional working with digital advertising, data-strategy, content, and marketing. These include:
- Programmatic media planning and buying
- Digital data analytics and strategy
- Content strategy and development with emerging technologies (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence)
- Mobile advertising strategy
- Social media marketing
- Mixed-method research evaluation
- Human-computer interaction design
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a Loyola alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Accelerated Master's Pathway Cost Benefit
This program has an Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP) for current Loyola undergraduates. Through the AMP, you can lower the cost of a master's degree by earning graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates (before your undergraduate degree is conferred). Once you graduate with your bachelor’s degree, you will also be eligible for the Returning Rambler Scholarship, offering 25% off graduate tuition.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Advertising and Emerging Media MS totals $38100.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,270.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Communication Financial Aid & Scholarships
Information about scholarships can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Communication offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
This program has multiple versions you can apply to. Find specific information about the application process for each option below. Please note that Accelerated Master's Pathways are only for current Loyola undergraduate students.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Advertising and Emerging Media MS are listed below:
Fall: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Advertising and Emerging Media MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
1 Recommendation
3.0 Minimum Major GPA
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Statement of Purpose Details
Please provide a statement (250 words or less; 1 double-spaced page) answering the following question: Why are you applying to this master's program and how do you expect to benefit from it?
Writing Sample Details
For your writing sample, please choose one of the following options:
1. Class Assignment Reflection: Select a class assignment you completed during your undergraduate studies. Provide a brief introduction to the assignment, discuss the key concepts you explored, and reflect on what you learned from the experience. Your response should demonstrate your analytical skills, clarity of thought, and ability to articulate complex ideas. (Limit: 2 pages)
2. Personal Essay on a Trending Topic: Write a personal essay on a current trend or issue that interests you. Discuss your perspective on the topic, how it impacts society, and any personal experiences that shape your viewpoint. Aim to engage the reader while showcasing your writing style and critical thinking abilities. (Limit: 2 pages)
Please ensure your writing sample is well-organized, clearly written, and free of grammatical errors. Your submission will help us assess your readiness for the MS program and your ability to communicate effectively.
Application Deadlines
Loyola students should apply to Accelerated Master's Pathways (AMP) during their junior year. The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Advertising and Emerging Media MS are listed below:
Fall: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Please note that only current Loyola undergraduates are eligible for AMPs. Application requirements for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Advertising and Emerging Media MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
1 Recommendation
3.0 Minimum Major GPA
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Statement of Purpose Details
Please provide a statement (250 words or less; 1 double-spaced page) answering the following question: Why are you applying to this master's program and how do you expect to benefit from it?
Writing Sample Details
For your writing sample, please choose one of the following options:
1. Class Assignment Reflection: Select a class assignment you completed during your undergraduate studies. Provide a brief introduction to the assignment, discuss the key concepts you explored, and reflect on what you learned from the experience. Your response should demonstrate your analytical skills, clarity of thought, and ability to articulate complex ideas. (Limit: 2 pages)
2. Personal Essay on a Trending Topic: Write a personal essay on a current trend or issue that interests you. Discuss your perspective on the topic, how it impacts society, and any personal experiences that shape your viewpoint. Aim to engage the reader while showcasing your writing style and critical thinking abilities. (Limit: 2 pages)
Please ensure your writing sample is well-organized, clearly written, and free of grammatical errors. Your submission will help us assess your readiness for the MS program and your ability to communicate effectively.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students. Please note that Loyola University Chicago is currently awaiting approval from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s for admitted students to this program. Once approved, we will be able to issue I-20s for international applicants to apply for an F-1 visa or to transfer their F-1 status to Loyola to study in this program. Until then, we cannot issue an I-20 specifically for this program; however, we encourage you to explore our other graduate School of Communication programs.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Advertising and Emerging Media MS program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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