About

Are you passionate about creating ethical, responsible advertising messages? The Advertising (BS) degree at Appalachian State University will prepare you for careers in advertising agencies, small businesses, the media and internal communication departments of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. You will learn from expert faculty with professional experience and can choose either a business or creative emphasis for your courses.

Upon completion, you will be career-ready with practical knowledge. The program is designed to assure you acquire the following skills:

• The knowledge required for critical and strategic thinking in the practice of advertising communications.
• The comprehension necessary to evaluate and practice advertising communications.
• The ability to integrate problem-solving skills that allow you to create advertising solutions.
• The understanding of advertising’s role in a globally integrated society.

The Department of Communication’s advertising major provides practical experience and networking as part of the learning process. Opportunities include annual participation in the American Advertising Federation national student competition, offering the chance to create and compete with your own advertising campaign for national brands, field trips to connect with industry leaders, and a China study abroad.

After Graduation

Employment: Some of our alumni are employed by top agencies in the industry including:

• Crispin Porter + Bogaski (CP+B)
• Deutsch
• Digitas
• Leo Burnett
• McGarryBowen
• MullenLowe
• Publicis Media
• TBWA/Chiat/Day

Graduate School: For some students pursuing a career in the creative side of advertising, it makes sense to attend a creative finishing school, such as Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Alumna Profile: Sarah Mosseller ’10

  Sarah Mosseller ’10 is an associate creative director at David&Goliath, a Los Angeles creative agency named Ad Age Small Agency of Year. 

• 

  Faculty Profile: Dr. Shanshan Lou

  “The advertising industry is constantly changing. It really is an exciting and stimulating field, and you can expect something new every day.”

  – Associate professor Dr. Shanshan Lou, who researches the effects of new media technologies on audiences’ attitudes and behaviors and cross-cultural advertising

• 

  Alumna Profile: Kenzie Storrier ’19

  Kenzie Storrier is pursuing her master’s at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter — one of the country’s premier creative advertising graduate programs — to become an art director.

Related Programs

• Communication Studies (BS)
• Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)
• Communication, Journalism (BS)
• Communication, Public Relations (BS)

Minors

A minor is required.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• Second Story Student Agency - a student organization that aspires to meet the communication needs of clients while providing meaningful experiences for student members.
• The Appalachian - This is the university’s newspaper run by students for students. It features an advertising department where students are paid on commission and learn how to sell advertisement opportunities to local businesses.
• WASU - Named mtvU’s college radio station of the year in 2012, WASU provides music and talk radio for students and the surrounding area. Students can become involved in the advertising side of the station by taking one credit hour class, completing six observation hours and passing the final exam.
• AppTV - The department’s cable television station gives students experience in television production and also provides internship opportunities.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of Communication has study abroad opportunities in Poland, China and Mexico.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.