Expert: Sean Trapani - 6/17/2010

Question
Sir, I intend to enrol my daughter as an international student for a copywriter/digital course at the MIami Adschool in San Francisco. It is adiploma program. I would like her to continue a undrgraduate degree course in Marketing to prepare her when she comes to this part of the world and to have her optiions open. Will she be able to get credit transfers to any University in san francisco if she completes her study at the Miami Adschool?

Answer
I've read that the Miami ad school (MAS) has an accredited program in Miami, FL, that's taught in concert with Florida International University, but not San Francisco (at the present time). If your daughter attends the San Fran school, she will not be able to transfer any credits to other accredited universities.

Other ad schools, like VCU, UT at Austin and SCAD are all accredited programs (like the Miami-based program for MAS), as well.

That said, it's important to understand the purpose of the MAS. It's not an academic institution, nor does it represent itself that way. The school is designed to help students get jobs. Period. It's a trade school, of sorts, for a highly competitive profession.

If she wants to work in advertising - even in the digital realm - a degree won't get her a job. Only her portfolio (and personality) will do that. However, if she ever wants to pursue additional education, her MAS certificate won't help.

ST