About

Prepare to join the multibillion dollar advertising industry through App State’s unique, multi-track Communication, Advertising (BS) degree program. Whether you are interested in developing advertising strategy or the creative elements of an advertising campaign, the Advertising degree will prepare you for an ever-evolving and fast-paced career.

Program courses provide a foundational understanding of the field of advertising, media publishing, promotional video, social media strategies, research, professional ethics, international advertising and a thorough exploration of advertising campaigns.

As you progress through the program, you can choose either the Strategic Advertising or Creative Advertising emphasis:

• Strategic Advertising focuses on media planning, client development and services, and consumer insights.
• Creative Advertising focuses on graphic design, copywriting, video production and developing creative campaigns.

When you’re ready to launch your advertising career, you will be well prepared and equipped with an industry-specific professional portfolio.

More about App State’s Communication, Advertising degree

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. 

• 

  Alumna Profile: Mary Junell ’21

  U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mary Junell graduated in 2021 through App State Online after an undergraduate journey marked with U-turns, war zone deployments and sheer grit. She was named the 2019 Paul D. Savanuck Writer of the Year as part of the Army’s Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition.

• 

  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 for all Communication majors.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• AppTV offers a full range of original programming, produced by App State students.
• The Appalachian is App State’s student newspaper. Participation on the newspaper’s staff is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
• Second Story Media, App State’s student-run communication agency, partners with university and community nonprofit clients to provide communication services.
• 90.5 WASU-FM — known as “The App” — is dedicated to bringing the best alternative rock music to the High Country and is operated by App State students and volunteer DJs.

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 China, England, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland.

Admission Requirements

A cumulative 2.5 GPA based on earned semester hours at App State is required prior to declaring the Communication, Advertising major.