School of Advertising
Step into the future of advertising at Academy of Art University. Our facilities and dynamic online platforms are tailored to equip you with the skills for a successful advertising career. Our project-based, hands-on curriculum mirrors the activities of a real-world advertising agency and is taught by an award-winning cadre of working industry professionals.
The School of Advertising will teach you how to art direct, design, write, and produce compelling messages for both traditional and digital media. You’ll learn how to use generative AI tools—Midjourney, Firefly, DALL-E, ChatGPT, and more—efficiently and ethically to further unlock your creativity. And you will graduate with a professional-level portfolio of work that will be the envy of your job-seeking peers.
Start your career now
Schedule your career planning session today!
Degrees
Social media, print, online videos, billboards, radio, websites, TV shows, and video games are just some of the forms advertising takes today. In the School of Advertising at Academy of Art University, you will learn to master all media with ideas that intrigue people. You’ll strengthen your technical skills. You’ll be challenged and supported by advertising experts who are as passionate about teaching as they are about their own advertising practices.
You’ll develop industry contacts and get on a first-name basis with influential professionals. You’ll put it all to work in a student-run ad agency with real-life clients. And you’ll build a competitive portfolio that can help you towards a successful advertising career.
Allied Skills
Graphic Design
expand_more
Learn to use the visual currency that defines our contemporary world. As a student in the School of Graphic Design, you’ll be mentored by faculty members with years of graphic design experience working with brand-name companies and strong ties to the overall industry through AIGA. Using the latest technologies, you will create a well-rounded portfolio that includes branding, experience design, motion design, packaging, and print. You’ll also experience being part of a real design agency, learn to cultivate strong problem-solving skills, and gain an appreciation for how sustainability affects design.
Interaction & UI/UX Design
expand_more
The School of Interaction & UI/UX Design will help you gain a comprehensive skill set in contemporary interaction, user experience, and user interface design. You will be prepared for careers in many industries, including the vibrant, multifaceted, and expansive world of high tech.
Communications & Media Technologies
expand_more
Learn how to tell stories that inform, entertain, and engage on every multimedia communications platform. Our curriculum moves beyond training for traditional jobs in broadcasting to drive students towards a world of online digital content. We provide a hands-on approach with a dual emphasis on interpersonal and mass communication, and a focus on skills that are immediately employable. You will produce your own content, including online series, music videos, podcasts, broadcast productions, and motion graphics.
AI-Powered Creativity
Experience the future of creativity at Academy of Art University, where our AI-powered classes in art direction, design, advertising, brand strategy, and creative thinking are redefining the industry. Students collaborate with top AI instructors to create innovative brand assets—websites, ad campaigns, social media content, TV commercials, and more—using the latest generative AI platforms. Ideation just got a new partner—Artificial Intelligence. Join the revolution and unlock the limitless potential of AI-driven creativity.
Online Learning
Earn your online advertising degree from Academy of Art University’s online advertising school. You will have access to the same qualified industry professionals for your instructors as your onsite counterparts, as well as exclusive custom content created by in-house industry experts. The Academy also provides dedicated support through learning materials designed specifically for online students. You’ll have access to community support, too, whether in the form of one-on-one sessions with instructors or directors, or regular mentor chats.
Student Work
Careers
Successful advertising careers require problem solvers, which is why our hands-on degree programs provide aspiring advertising professionals with a comprehensive problem-solving toolbox of marketable skills and training.
You’ll find our graduates enjoying roles as art directors, copywriters, creative strategists, content creators, and more at leading companies like Razorfish, Leo Burnett, Y&R, Ogilvy, AKQA, CP+B, and more.
Companies That Have Hired Our Students
When I was standing in front of Steve Jobs and showing the ‘Get a Mac’ ad—that was one of those rare trial-by-fire moments. All I thought about was how to apply all I learned from previous jobs and my instructors at Academy of Art University.
Jason Sperling
MFA Advertising / SVP, Chief Creative Development, RPA
