Program Coordinator/Contact
Mary Arnold, Department Head
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171
E-mail: mary.arnold@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/mcom
Click here for additional information.
Program Information
A major in advertising will prepare students with effective written and visual communication, critical thinking, design, and research skills. Graduates gain experience working on teams to develop solutions for clients and competitive design strategies. Students are encouraged to select one of the following emphases within Advertising: Creative Strategy, Interactive Media, or Public Relations.
- Creative Strategy Emphasis. Students who want to work in the account management and creative areas of advertising, including copywriting, take this emphasis. It is recommended that students seeking a career in advertising art direction take this emphasis and pursue a double major in Graphic Design or a minor in Art through the Department of Visual Arts.
- Interactive Media Emphasis. Students seeking employment in the areas of print and broadcast, online and social media planning; interactive marketing; research; and media sales take this emphasis.
- Public Relations Emphasis. Students who want to work in public relations and corporate marketing positions requiring an understanding of integrated marketing communications take this emphasis.
Academic Requirements
Advertising majors must have a “C” or better in Freshman Composition; must have a graduation average of 2.5 in journalism and mass communication courses; take a minimum of 72 credit hours outside of journalism and mass communication, and must have grades of “C” or better in all major courses.
Equipment and Supplies
Students are also encouraged to purchase a laptop (Macintosh preferred) and software appropriate for the discipline.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
The Department is accredited by the national accrediting body of journalism and mass communication, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
Course Delivery Format
The department offers coursework in classroom, studio, online, and field-based settings.
