The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2024-2025 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
Advertising majors learn to combine critical thinking with creativity to deliver strategic messages to a targeted audience on behalf of a client. Advertising majors obtain jobs such as advertising copywriter, account executive, researcher, digital producer, media planner, or social media strategist. Professionals in the advertising field have many options available, working for an advertising agency or a brand team, for corporations, nonprofits, media or trade organizations.
Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Drake is among 115 accredited programs worldwide. To earn accreditation, schools meet nine standards, which address such issues as class size, diversity, student services and curriculum. Accreditation reviews occur every six years. Drake’s program has been continuously accredited, most recently in 2016.
Required courses for the advertising major as as follows:
Students should work with their advisers to ensure selection of courses best-suited to their educational and career objectives. Please see Graduation Requirements and Regulations sections of the catalog for additional information.
Required courses for the Advertising major are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
| School of Journalism and Mass Communication Core Courses | |
| JMC 030 - Mass Media in a Global Society | 3 |
| JMC 031 - Multimedia Lab | 1 |
| JMC 040 - Pre-Professional Workshop | 1 |
| JMC 041 - Financial Fundamentals for Communication Professionals | 1 |
| JMC 054 - Reporting and Writing Principles | 3 |
| JMC 055 - Digital Media Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 104 - Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Area of Concentration - All SJMC majors must complete a 21-credit block of courses not offered within the SJMC. This block must be approved by the student's adviser and dean. At least 12 of these credits must be in courses numbered 100 or higher. Courses taken to satisfy requirements in other areas may also count toward this requirement. | 21 |
| Advertising Major Courses | |
| ECON 002 - Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| JMC 057 - Video Production | 3 |
| JMC 059 - Visual Communication Methods | 3 |
| JMC 076 - Advertising Principles | 3 |
| JMC 105 - Web Content and Development | 3 |
| JMC 113 - Consumer Culture | 3 |
| JMC 124 - Advertising Copy and Content | 3 |
| JMC 139 - Advertising Research and Planning | 3 |
| JMC 145 - Advertising Campaign Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 117 - Media Analytics and Insights, or JMC 141 - Advanced Strategic Messaging |
3 |
| Writing and Creation Elective (Choose One) | |
| JMC 067 - Digital Audio Writing and Production | 3 |
| JMC 070 - Media Editing | 3 |
| JMC 100 - Electronic Field Production | 3 |
| JMC 120 - Magazine Freelance Writing | 3 |
| JMC 123 - Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| JMC 161 - Magazine Staff Writing | 3 |
| JMC 168 = Advanced Reporting | 3 |
| MKTG 101 - Marketing Principles | 3 |
| PSY 001 - Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| JMC Total Credit Hours | 44 |
| TOTAL | 120 |
The advertising minor is designed to provide students who anticipate careers involving an advertising component, such as marketing, management and business, with a well-rounded background in advertising principles and concepts. In addition, there will be some exposure to advertising's creative process.
Required courses for the Advertising minor are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
| JMC 031 – Multimedia Lab | 1 |
| JMC 054 - Reporting and Writing Principles | 3 |
| JMC 076 - Advertising Principles | 3 |
| JMC 113 - Consumer Culture | 3 |
| JMC 124 - Advertising Copy and Content | 3 |
| JMC 139 - Advertising Research and Planning | 3 |
| JMC 145 - Advertising Campaign Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 057 - Video Production, or JMC 059 - Visual Communication Methods |
3 |
| JMC 117 - Media Analytics and Insights, or JMC 141 - Advanced Strategic Messaging |
3 |
| TOTAL | 25 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.