Communications majors who choose the advertising emphasis will participate in a program that will give a strong grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, provide a firm grasp of communications theory and principles, and teach practical workplace skills. In advertising and marketing communications courses students will learn how to use research in studying diverse audiences, analyze communications problems, and evaluate communications programs. They will write problem-solving strategies and create advertising and promotion messages to specific target audiences. Creative track students will learn how to concept consumer advertising ads in print and broadcast and will develop a quality portfolio required for entry-level careers in the creative field. Management students will learn how to evaluate and select the most effective media for reaching those target audiences and will gain an understanding of how broadcast, print, and other media are used in the marketing process.

Studies will culminate in the student’s participation, as a team member, in creating and presenting a comprehensive and competitive integrated marketing communications campaign that includes research, advertising, and sales promotion.

Once accepted into the program, students have the opportunity to volunteer or work in the Advanced Advertising Lab, where they use advertising thought and theory to put together complete, strategic, multi-media advertising campaigns for five to six clients per semester. To visit the ad lab's Web site, click here.

Students in the advertising emphasis have received national recognition from the American Advertising Federation, the One Show, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and their ads have aired on national networks including NBC, ABC, Fox, and MTV, and appeared in magazines including Sports Illustrated and Teen People.

Major Requirements 

1. Complete one course from the following: Engl 150, Honrs 150, Phil 150 (must receive a B grade or better to be eligible to apply for admission to the program).

2. Complete the following courses: Comms 101, 211, 230 (must receive a B grade or better to be eligible to apply for admission to the program).

3. Apply to the major.

4. Complete the following courses: Comms 300, 317.

5. Complete one course from each of the  three clusters (9 hours total) from the following departmental electives:

   Cluster 1:  Comms 302, 351, 411, 416

   Cluster 2:  Comms 301, 360, 406, 480

   Cluster 3:  Comms 381, 382, 481, 482

6. Complete one of the following tracks:

    a. Management Track:

        1. Complete the following: Bus M 340; Comms 332, 432, 489.

        2. Complete one course from the following: Comms 330, 345.

    b. Creative Track:

        1. Complete the following: Comms 331, 433, 489.

        2. Complete one course from the following: Comms 330, 345.

        3. Complete a minor in advertising design (15 hours).

            Note: Twelve students will be admitted to the creative track each year based on a  screening and portfolio work. Portfolios must be submitted to the department's main office by the twelfth week of winter semester. Late portfolios will not be considered. It will take  from four to five semesters to complete the design minor. Students interested in this track should qualify and apply early.

7. After consulting with an advisor, complete an internship in conjunction with 4 hours of the following: Comms 399R.

    Note: A C- grade or better in the following prerequisite courses must be achieved before the internship experience:

        Management track: Comms 317; 330 or 345; 332.

        Creative track: Comms 317; 330 or 345; 331.

8. Complete 80 credit hours outside the Department of Communications, including 65 credits in liberal arts and sciences.