Advertising, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Advertising
ADVERTISING (ADV), teaches students about the role it plays in society, as well as its impact in business and sales. Advertising influences the products we buy, the media we consume, the causes we support, and the celebrities we follow on social media. In this program students will learn about branding, strategy, consumer behavior, and more. Whether you are creative, analytical, interested in television, print, or digital media -- the advertising major has something for everyone!
Programs in Advertising
Undergraduate Programs:
- major: Advertising, BS
- major: Computer Science + Advertising, BS
- minors: Advertising | Media | Public Relations
Graduate Programs:
- degree: Advertising, MS
- degree: Strategic Brand Communication, MS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 124 hours
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | 24 | |
| ADV 150 | Introduction to Advertising | 3 |
| ADV 250 | Advertising and Brand Strategy | 3 |
| ADV 280 | Introduction to Advertising Media | 3 |
| ADV 281 | Advertising Research Methods | 3 |
| ADV 284 | Consumer Insight | 3 |
| ADV 360 | Innovations in Advertising | 3 |
| ADV 390 | Content Creation | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Tech and Advertising Campaigns | ||
| The Sandage Project | ||
| Advertising Electives | 18 | |
Any Advertising (ADV) course not already required above | ||
| College of Media Electives | 9 | |
Courses offered by or cross-listed with Advertising (ADV), Journalism (JOUR), Media and Cinema Studies (MACS), or Media (MDIA) | ||
| Other Required Supporting Coursework: | ||
| BADM 320 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
Fulfills advanced hours outside of the College requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Microeconomic Principles | ||
| Macroeconomic Principles | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Data Literacy | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Anthro in a Changing World | ||
| Intro Psych | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Advanced Hours Requirement | ||
| At least 20 hours in courses numbered 200 or above. These courses must be outside and not cross-listed with the College of Media. At least 9 of the 20 hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. | ||
| Please note: Courses used to fulfill University General Education requirements or to fulfill requirements for a minor may count toward these requirements. | ||
| Total Hours | 124 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
When reviewing the sample sequence, please note media electives are any non-required advertising (ADV), journalism (JOUR), media & cinema studies (MACS), or media (MDIA) course. Advertising (ADV) electives are any advertising course not already required for the major. Electives are additional courses to help students achieve 124 hours required for the degree. These can often be any level, but students should check with their advisor for specific guidance.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV Elective | 3 | ADV 250 | 3 |
| STAT 100 | 3 | ECON 102 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 3-4 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 3-4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3-4 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 281 | 3 | ADV 284 | 3 |
| ECON 103 | 3 | ANTH 103, SOC 100, or PSYC 100 | 3-4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ADV elective | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 390 | 3 | ADV 360 | 3 |
| BADM 320 | 3 | ADV elective | 3 |
| SOC 100, PSYC 100, or ANTH 103 | 4-3 | Media elective | 3 |
| ADV elective | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 498 or 492 | 3 | ADV elective | 3 |
| ADV elective | 3 | Media Elective | 3 |
| Media elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 124 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising will be able to:
- Evaluate the ethical, economic, legal, cultural, and historical dimensions of advertising in a global society.
- Conduct research and analyze data to develop appropriate use metrics for advertising planning.
- Ethically meet brand objectives and reach diverse audiences by critically evaluating and analyzing media outlets.
- Apply creative concepts and innovative thinking to produce culturally relevant brand storytelling and content creation.
- Create strategic brand communications built on research and evidence-based strategies appropriate for the intended audience.
- Effectively collaborate within diverse teams to design and deliver strategic and engaging presentations.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising website
Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising faculty
addept@illinois.edu
(217) 333-1602
College of Media admissions and degree requirements
College of Media website