Academic Programs Catalog

College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Department of Advertising and Public Relations

Undergraduate Program
Advertising Creative

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.

Admission

Enrollment 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 Major

The 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

  1. 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.
  2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following core courses (20 credits):
    ADV 205 Principles of Advertising 3
    ADV 210 Concept Development 1
    ADV 245 Multimedia Commercial Production 3
    ADV 330 Advertising Management 3
    ADV 342 Account Planning and Research 3
    ADV 450 Portfolio Presentation 1
    ADV 475 Advertising and Society 3
    ADV 486 Integrated Campaigns (W) 3
    The completion of Advertising 486 satisfies the capstone/synthesis requirement for the advertising creative major.
    b. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
    CAS 110 Creative Thinking 3
    CAS 112 Story, Sound and Motion 3
    c. Two of the following courses (2 credits):
    CAS 203 Design in Media Settings 1
    CAS 204 Web Design in Media Settings 1
    CAS 205 Photography in Media Settings 1
    CAS 206 Graphics and Illustration in Media Settings 1
    d. One of the following concentrations (15 or 16 credits):
    Art Direction (15 credits)
    ADV 222 Introduction to Copywriting 3
    or
    ADV 225 Basic Skills for Advertising Careers 3
    ADV 224 Introduction to Creative Media 3
    ADV 326 Advanced Creative: Media I 3
    ADV 354 Interactive Advertising Design 3
    ADV 428 Advanced Creative: Media II 3
    Copywriting (15 to 16 credits)
    ADV 222 Introduction to Copywriting 3
    ADV 225 Basic Skills for Advertising Careers 3
    ADV 322 360-degree Copywriting 3
    ADV 422 Advanced Copywriting: Creating Experiences 3
    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):
    MKT 327 Introduction to Marketing 3
    PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 4