Delving Into the Advertising Major
Students seeking a major in advertising will enjoy the flexibility that online programs offer. Better yet, the business training obtained in this study will prove valuable in the job market. Advertising degrees are available at various levels of education, from associate to doctoral degrees. Coursework and reading materials in advertising will focus on theoretical knowledge and practical application of advertising and marketing strategies.
Students will start their training with a basic foundation in business, humanities, arts, and design before exploring more advanced topics. Course content may include classes in finance, management, economics, business ethics, with more advanced courses in media advertising.
Advertising majors will learn about advertising theory, competitive design techniques, media management, consumer behavior, among other critical subjects. While an advertising degree will provide a student with a general business background, classes and projects will challenge students to be creative and “think outside the box” to figure out new ways for businesses to target potential clients.
Degree Levels:
Associate
An associate degree in advertising provides students with an overview of advertising and marketing training. The focus of this academic level is on the conception, execution and evaluation of commercial advertising messages. Coursework at the associate level generally revolves around basic liberal arts education, including classes in composition, math, humanities, and social and behavioral sciences.
Students also learn introductory concepts in advertising, such as advertising theory, marketing strategy, and advertising design. An associate in advertising prepares students for advanced degrees in advertising and marketing. Students can also gain employment in freelance design positions or as advertising assistants.
Bachelor’s
The purpose of the bachelor’s program is to position students for employment in advertising or further study in the field. The curriculum prepares students to promote and sell products and services in various fields. The bachelor’s degree coursework will combine a comprehensive overview of the field with advanced courses in advertising.
In addition to an internship, bachelor’s degree candidates will complete coursework in advertising theory, marketing strategy, psychology, accounting, statistics, creative design, campaign methods, media management, and business advertising. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in advertising may seek employment as creative directors or advertising design strategists.
Master’s
Employment in advertising is very competitive, because of the allure of the job. Those who want to stand out from other applicants should consider obtaining a master’s degree. Many colleges and universities now offer online versions of the master’s program. That’s good news for busy professionals who want to further their studies without quitting their current job.
Typical online master’s curriculum will cover all the fundamental advertising skills and training, including media planning, direct advertising, advertising strategy. Students can also expect advanced courses in mass media research, empirical research, and media theory. Students who graduate with a master’s degree will find a large selection of employment opportunities.
Doctorate
Students who want to take their advertising education to the highest level should consider obtaining a doctorate degree in business management with a concentration in advertising or marketing. The doctorate degree is the highest level of certification available. It prepares students for careers in teaching and research and, to a lesser degree, for leadership positions that may require advanced research and analytical skills. Students at this level will go on to work in publishing, research, management, and academia.
Supplementing Your Advertising Major
Students seeking advertising degrees will have the flexibility to supplement their major with training in related fields. It is always recommended that students enhance their advertising majoring by taking more advanced classes in computers in order to broaden their employment opportunities. Additional training will add to the student’s advertising toolbox and make them adaptable to different business environments.
In addition, since many advertisers work in teams on assigned projects, classes that promote good communication and team building skills are beneficial as well. Thus, a minor in communications may prove valuable to advertising majors in the long run. Marketing and business administration are other degrees that pair well with advertising.
A number of advanced degrees can be attained with an advertising undergraduate degree as well, ranging from master’s degrees in business administration to master’s degrees in advertising and marketing. At the advanced degree level, students are able to specialize in a desired area of concentration or interest, such as interactive advertising, digital advertising, and physical advertising. Each specialty allows students to acquire specialized knowledge and expand their job opportunities.
Learn More About the Advertising Major
- Princeton Review: Advertising Overview
- Search Engines: Technology, Society and Business
- Journal of Interactive Advertising
The Advertising Major in the Job Market
Advertising is one of the most important aspects of any successful business. Students who graduate with an advertising degree learn to utilize their artistic capabilities, as well as their business acumen in implementing successful campaigns. The job outlook for advertising is favorable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs in advertisement sector will grow by 8% through 2018. Job availability is dependent upon economic strides. As the economy improves and advertisers find new products to promote, there will be new job openings for advertising majors.
With an increasing number of avenues which an advertiser can use to reach out to potential clients, a talented advertiser is invaluable asset to any company, from non-profits and small family run businesses to large national and multinational companies. Advertisers that are comfortable using a variety of mediums to accomplish projects will give themselves the opportunity to adjust to an ever-changing and complex business landscape. Ad agencies and various national and global companies are always looking to recruit fresh talent with solid training and thorough understanding of markets, media, and communication.
Advertisers work in a range of industries with a variety of budgets for advertising. As such, it is difficult to predict the salaries for people in advertising, but degree holders should expect to make anywhere from $35,000 to $45,000 for advertisers starting out in graphic design or marketing with salaries in the $60,000 to $70,000 range for marketing and advertising directors. Actual salaries will vary based on location, employer, experience, and education.