The Strategic Planning Master’s Degree

A unique partnership program. Earn a Master's degree from Florida International University. Develop a portfolio with MAS.

In This Program

Meet Our University Partner

This is a dual enrollment program. You’ll have the best of both worlds taking courses at Miami Ad School and our university partner. At Miami Ad School, you’ll create your portfolio and get hands-on experience. At the university you’ll develop your critical thinking skills and business acumen. The university awards the degree.

Florida International University / Miami Ad School

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How does a Masters program boost your career in strategy?

Strategy and tactics. These days, that’s what separates the real industry leaders from the pretenders. At a time when the world can change in the blink of an eye (new tech, global pandemics, oh my), it pays to have a real, adaptable, plan.

Our Strategic Planning Masters Degree, offered in partnership with Florida International University, trains you for that world.

Rather than focusing on exclusively abstract theory, we work with the world-leading experts at FIU to provide you with a solid foundation of textbook knowledge, layered underneath a wealth of practical experience. In the end, you have it all. A portfolio from Miami Ad School, the most award-winning portfolio school in the world. A masters degree from the prestigious Florida International University (FIU).

As for the day-to-day experience, it’s the best of both worlds. You’ll take classes at both institutions. The MAS campus is in the heart of Wynwood, a creative environment like none you have ever seen. You will concentrate on social media and a wide range of other creative skills. You will be taught by creatives who work for agencies, brands and studios. They take time off to teach, to give back to the industry they love. And for aspiring social strategists, this is the best of all possible times for you. Social media gurus are in super demand. Content creation is exploding. Add the masters degree from FIU to have a more complete understanding of the theoretical, strategic and research elements in the industry.

Award-Winning Student Work

Our Masters students carry out professional-grade projects for serious, real-world clients. The results are absolutely stunning.

Ben LardDirector of Insights at Nimbly
AND Strategic Planning Grad

“What I liked about the program was that our teachers were working industry pros. We were working on real briefs to solve real problems for real clients at top agencies… It's a learning experience like nothing else I've seen.

The Strategic Planning Masters Curriculum

Courses at Miami Ad School & FIU.

Like learning a new language, the best way to learn your trade is through total immersion. The focus is giving you the skills, experience, and network you need to get strategy work at the world’s most competitive companies. And it all happens with an innovative curriculum of courses like these:

Ideas First
Video Storytelling
Story Writing
User Experience
Digital Campaigns
Pop Culture Engineering
Understanding the Challenge
Thinking Strategically
Research Methodology
Industry Heroes AP – New Business Storytelling

Want to know what else you’ll be learning? Learn more about the courses you’ll take in the course brochure.

Teachers Who Practice What They Preach

A master planner collects information like a super-computer…then synthesizes with the empathic understanding of a professional sociologist. Their ability to forecast future conditions, and to chart a path to the future, makes them an invaluable resource for any forward-thinking creative team.

So how do you learn those intangible traits that will put you over the top—in addition to the hard skills that will allow you to strategize with the best of them? It helps to have a mentor who’s been there themselves.

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Devan Carter
Designer, Atlanta Hawks
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Tricia Ruso
Chief Strategy Officer, BBDO
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Larry Luk
Director of Brand Partnerships, Localeur
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Anja Duering
Executive Creative Director, Chemistry

Esty GormanCreative Effectiveness Lead at Google
AND Strategy Grad

"School gave me the foundation and the network of people. It taught me how to think critically.

What People Say

Study in Miami

Miami is truly America’s melting pot. Sons and daughters of Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia…they all live and work here. It’s a remarkable, vibrant city—a vision of the future. And of course, it’s home to our very first campus.

What It Takes
To Get In

Most of our students have an undergraduate degree, and are from different backgrounds such as economics, theatre, fine arts, advertising and even political science. In fact we find that it helps bring a different perspective to the table. However, all you need to apply to this program is a high school diploma and a positive attitude!

Want to know more about course requirements? Learn more about what you’ll need to become a Strategic Planning Masters Student in the course brochure.

HOW TO APPLY

Four steps to complete your application.

Step 1

Create your account

Enter your information and register for your Miami Ad School account.

Step 2

Choose a city, program, and start date

Select the school you are most interested in right now. Should you change your mind later on, you can easily change your application.

Step 3

Follow the process laid out in the application portal

Show us who you are as a creative thinker. Do three of our fun creative exercises, OR share examples of things you’ve
created.. and do two creative exercises. Finally, schedule an admissions interview with your Admissions Advisor if you haven’t yet connected.

Step 4

Review and Submit

Make sure all your information is correct, and that you’ve paid your application fee. We’ll get back to you soon!

Application Deadlines

For FIU Applicants:
• International applications due August 1
• Domestic applications due October 1

Important Program Information

Tuition

Tuition is $7,970 per semester paid to FIU. Tuition is based on the semester system with 5 installments for a total of $39,850 (plus fees) for both schools.

No assistantships are offered for this program. All students must cover tuition in its entirety.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

We work tirelessly to make MAD affordable for students of all backgrounds. For our American students, federal loans generally cover tuition costs. We also offer a variety of scholarships.

International Students

In the past decades, students have come to us from every corner of the world. If you’re worried about getting here, never fear: you’ll likely be able to attend the campus of your choice. Click for more about the visa process.