The undergraduate advertising creative program prepares students to work in advertising and related industries, as art directors, designers and/or copywriters. Promotional communication businesses, like advertising, demand a variety of skilled employees, including those who develop the messaging strategy, those who study the intended audience for the message, those who decide the best channel of communication to reach that audience, and those who actually compose the look, the wording and, if appropriate, the sounds of the message. The advertising creative program is focused on those who actually create the advertisement.
Students receive a broad liberal arts background, as well as a strong overview of the advertising process that provides them with an understanding of the strategy, research, and other functions necessary to effective advertising. However, greater depth of training is dedicated to helping students develop advertising art direction, design and copywriting skills. Over the course of the program, students develop a portfolio of their work, to help them in seeking employment upon graduation. These skills enable students to find work not only in advertising, but also in the fields of direct marketing, sales promotion, public relations, app and web design, electronic commerce, and more.
Internships and other cooperative educational opportunities are encouraged in the program. Co-curricular activities include multiple student clubs, as well as national student competitions. Study abroad programs provide ways for students to gain experience that enhance and reach outside of the classroom, further advancing their employment opportunities.
AdmissionEnrollment in the advertising creative program is limited. In addition to the university and college requirements, students must complete Advertising 205, and Psychology 101 with a combined minimum grade–point average of 2.00.
Admission to a Second Bachelor's Degree Program or an Additional MajorThe ability of the advertising creative program to accommodate students seeking admission to a second bachelor's degree program or an additional major is limited. At a minimum, these students must meet the same requirements as for admission to the advertising creative major.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Advertising Creative
- The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising.
The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Advertising major is met by completing Advertising 486. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
- The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
- The following requirements for the major:
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a. |
All of the following core courses (20 credits): |
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ADV |
205 |
Principles of Advertising |
3 |
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ADV |
210 |
Concept Development |
1 |
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ADV |
245 |
Multimedia Commercial Production |
3 |
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ADV |
330 |
Advertising Management |
3 |
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ADV |
342 |
Account Planning and Research |
3 |
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ADV |
450 |
Portfolio Presentation |
1 |
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ADV |
475 |
Advertising and Society |
3 |
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ADV |
486 |
Integrated Campaigns (W) |
3 |
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The completion of Advertising 486 satisfies the capstone/synthesis requirement for the advertising creative major. |
b. |
Both of the following courses (6 credits): |
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CAS |
110 |
Creative Thinking |
3 |
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CAS |
112 |
Story, Sound and Motion |
3 |
c. |
Two of the following courses (2 credits): |
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CAS |
203 |
Design in Media Settings |
1 |
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CAS |
204 |
Web Design in Media Settings |
1 |
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CAS |
205 |
Photography in Media Settings |
1 |
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CAS |
206 |
Graphics and Illustration in Media Settings |
1 |
d. |
One of the following concentrations (15 or 16 credits): |
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Art Direction (15 credits) |
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ADV |
222 |
Introduction to Copywriting |
3 |
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or |
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ADV |
225 |
Basic Skills for Advertising Careers |
3 |
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ADV |
224 |
Introduction to Creative Media |
3 |
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ADV |
326 |
Advanced Creative: Media I |
3 |
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ADV |
354 |
Interactive Advertising Design |
3 |
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ADV |
428 |
Advanced Creative: Media II |
3 |
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Copywriting (15 to 16 credits) |
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ADV |
222 |
Introduction to Copywriting |
3 |
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ADV |
225 |
Basic Skills for Advertising Careers |
3 |
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ADV |
322 |
360-degree Copywriting |
3 |
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ADV |
422 |
Advanced Copywriting: Creating Experiences |
3 |
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Additional writing class from a list of approved courses as approved by the advisor |
3 or 4 |
e. |
Both of the following courses (7 credits): |
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MKT |
327 |
Introduction to Marketing |
3 |
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PSY |
101 |
Introductory Psychology |
4 |