B.A. Advertising
B.A. Advertising
Be part of the future of Advertising!
The Advertising industry is growing rapidly and needs qualified professionals to be the next generation of leaders. Want to create promoted posts on social media? Buy television air-time for a company? Help launch a new company and disrupt a market? A career in Advertising might be right for you!
Hear from two Rowan Advertising students about why they chose Rowan University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Advertising?
According to the American Advertising Federation, "Advertising is the action of calling something to the attention of the public, especially by paid announcements."
With a definition that broad, it's easy to see how one might get confused regarding what exactly advertising is. After all, there are many ways to call a product or service to the attention of the public. Just to name a few, you might use:
- A television commercial
- A social media post
- A 30 sec. radio spot
- A one-page spread in a magazine
- A billboard on I-95
What does an Advertising professional do?
Advertisers work in every industry including sports, fashion, healthcare, and nonprofits. They are responsible for shaping the reputation of an organization to the public. Advertisers use creativity and strategy to help their organization and message stand out.
Advertising jobs have many names, including:
- Copywriter
- Media buyer
- Strategic planner
- Art director
- Production manager
- Branding officer
- Account coordinator
- Communication consultant
Is the field of Advertising growing?
Yes! There are more jobs in advertising than ever before. The global advertising industry is expected to hit $1 trillion by 2025. Advertising firms prefer to hire employees with degrees in the field, rather than related fields like Marketing.
What skills do I need to succeed in Advertising?
Most students who start an Advertising degree have never worked in the industry before. Many are just getting to learn about it for the first time. Our program is designed to equip you with all the skills you will need before starting your career including: copywriting, media analysis, and graphic design. Students can specialize in any of these skills by taking additional electives in advanced classes.
How long does it take to complete the Advertising B.A.?
Students can complete the B.A. in as little as four semesters. These can be completed during normal Fall/Spring semesters and there are many classes available during the winter and summer sessions. Students who take additional classes each semester or take classes during the winter or summer session may be able to gradaute early.
Some of our students transfer credits to Rowan University after completing two years at another institution. In these cases, students can start taking Advertising credits upon starting at Rowan.
What classes will I take?
All required and recommended classes are lised on our program guide. To read a description of the class, check the latest version of the course catalog. Current offerings each semester are listed in the section tally.
Where can I find information about the Advertising profession?
There are a number of professional organizations that can help you decide if an Advertising degree is right for you.
- The American Advertising Federation sponsors student competitions, provides students networking opportunities, and researchers job/career statistics.
- Philly Ad Club sponsors student scholarships, hosts local networking events, and provides working professionals support in the greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey areas.
Recommended course sequence for 2-year completion timeline
This major requires completion of 11 courses in the major (33 s.h.) and two related electives (6 s.h.). Almost any junior and senior classes offered in the College of Communication and Creative Arts can be counted toward the related electives requirement.
Check with your academic advisor to ensure you are making the right choices, especially if you plan to double-count any related electives toward two or more programs you are completing.
Courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer sessions, so you can complete your degree(s) on your own timeline.
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Junior Fall
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Junior Spring
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Senior Fall
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Senior Spring
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* Media Planning is an advanced class. It should be taken no earlier than second semester into the Advertising major. Ideally, it should follow completion of both Intro to Advertising and intro to PR/Adv Research.
** Capstone courses may not be taken concurrently. Students must successfully complete Advertising Strategies before being allowed to take Advertising Campaigns.
*** Internships require completion of Intro to Advertising, Advertising Copywriting, and Account Planning. Many students choose to complete a paid or non-paid internship in the summer before their Senior year. For more details about internships, please see the Advising page.
Department Policies
What pre-requisites are required to start department classes?
Course pre-requisites can be completed as transfers or in your first two years at Rowan University BEFORE attempting any courses in the major:
- College Composition I (Comp 01111) and College Comp II (Comp 01112)
- Public Speaking (CMS 04205)
Are there minimum grade requirements to count a class?
All major courses require grades of C- or higher.
Can I take a graduate-level class as an undergraduate student?
Senior Privilege. All seniors who completed at least 90 credits in Public Relations and/or Advertising, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, are eligible to take graduate courses in the M.A. in Public Relations program. For more details, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
When do I start interning?
Internships. While not required, internships are strongly encouraged after completion of the basic sequence, typically just before or during senior year. For more details, visit the Advising page.
Where can I see classes offered each semester?
A description of each class is found in the Undergraduate Catalog (Program Listings)
To see classes offered each semester, check the Live Course Listing (Rowan Section Tally)
Earn a B.A. & M.A. at the same time!
The 4+1 program allows students to complete a B.A. in Advertising or Public Relations AND a M.A. in Strategic Communication in just 5 years. Apply for the program in your junior year by contacting the graduate advisor, Dr. Bokyung Kim. Successful applicants need to have a 3.25 GPA in the major (including required and related electives) or a 3.0 GPA overall. Applications are due before March 1 of your Junior year.
