Advertising Major

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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.

Requirements for Advertising Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences

Modern Languages Credits: 3-14 (completion and competency in one language at the 202 level or a department-approved advanced upper division language course)
Social Sciences Credits: 8
Humanities Credits: 6

Bachelor of Science

Natural Science Credits: 14
With 6 credits of Biological Sciences
With 8 credits of Physical Sciences
Social Sciences Credits: 12
Humanities Credits: 8

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 39-44

BADM 370 - Marketing (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 210-210L - Basic Newswriting and Studio (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 220-220L - Introduction to Digital Media and Lab Credits: 3
MCOM 416-516 - Mass Media in Society (G) Credits: 3
or ADV 476 - International and Ethnic Advertising (G) Credits: 3
MCOM 430-530 - Media Law (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 494 - Internship Credits: 1-12 (2 credits required for Advertising major.)
ADV 370 - Advertising Principles Credits: 3
ADV 371-371L - Advertising Copy and Layout and Studio (AW) Credits: 3
ADV 442-442L - Integrated Marketing Communication and Campaigns Studio Credits: 3
ADV or MCOM Electives Credits: 1-6

Choose one of the following suggested emphases: 12

Creative Strategies Emphasis

ADV 314 - Sales, Promotion and Marketing Credits: 3
ADV 372-372L - Advertising Media Strategies and Lab Credits: 3
ADV 489 - Portfolio Production & Design Credits: 1-3
MCOM 339-339L - Publication Design and Lab Credits: 3
or
MCOM 359-359L - Advanced Digital Production and Lab
Credits: 3

Interactive and Media Emphasis

ADV 372-372L - Advertising Media Strategies and Lab Credits: 3
ADV 411-411L - Media Analytics and Studio Credits: 3
Select Two Courses from the Following Group
ADV 314 - Sales, Promotion and Marketing Credits: 3
ADV 343 - Strategies - Public Relations Credits: 3
ADV 472 - Media Research and Planning Credits: 3

Public Relations Emphasis

ADV 243 - Public Relations Principles Credits: 3
ADV 343 - Strategies - Public Relations Credits: 3
ADV 472 - Media Research and Planning Credits: 3
MCOM 340-340L - Broadcast Announcing and Performance and Lab Credits: 3
or ADV 492 - Topics Credits: 3

Electives: 7-29

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.