BGSU Advertising major students hold a class in an Ohio classroom with a two-way mirror for conducting focus groups for audience research.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Minor 

Advertising

Create. Promote. Analyze. That’s what advertising professionals do – and they do it in a fast-paced, constantly changing media environment.

The advertising bachelor’s degree program at BGSU gives you the skills you need to adapt and be successful in this ever-evolving climate.

You’ll have the chance to solve problems for real clients with required internships and in our capstone course. That kind of experience is invaluable to future employers.

Coursework covers all facets of the industry – a balance of conceptual foundations and practical, professional skills including:

  • Audience research and analysis
  • Strategic writing and messaging
  • Media planning and selection in both traditional and digital media
  • Creative problem solving

Advertising also is available as a minor.

Why study advertising at BGSU in Ohio?

  • An interdisciplinary degree. This means you’ll explore all sides of advertising, including marketing, media production, graphic design, communication and more. 
  • Real-world experience.
    • Our two-internship requirement guarantees significant practical experience and can lead to job opportunities.
    • Work with real clients in our capstone campaign courses.
  • State-of-the-art facilities. Practice your production skills with the latest technologies in the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Center.
    • Video and audio production suites
    • Robotic cameras, virtual sets and “live reporting” spaces
    • An advanced projection system to simultaneously watch live action being recorded and see the work being done on the control boards
    • Focus group room with one-way mirror and recording facilities
  • Industry connections. Our Industry Advisory Board comprises alumni and major advertising employers such as Google, Madison Avenue Group, NBC Universal and Hart, as well as the president of Advertising Association Federation Toledo.

Career – what can you do with an advertising degree?

Required internships translate to jobs for our graduates.

BGSU advertising graduates work for some of the most recognized brands in Ohio and the nation. They work for a wide range of clients as account executives and  brand managers.

They also deliver critical public health and cause-driven messages for governmental and nonprofit organizations.

Career paths

  • Advertising media planners and buyers
  • Advertising sales professionals
  • Advertising executives
  • Ad  or ad sales manager
  • Creative directors
  • Copywriters
  • Commercial producers
  • Digital and social media managers
  • Consumer researchers
  • Marketing communications directors
  • Market research analysts

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View average salaries

Curriculum

The advertising major consists of:

  • Six core courses and four additional required courses
  • Two required internships 
  • Three-course concentration
  • Capstone experience with real clients

Core courses provide a strong foundation of theory and practice in different facets of the advertising industry. They incorporate perspectives from:

  • Advertising
  • Communication
  • Media production and studies
  • Marketing
  • Graphic design

A minor is required.

Required courses

Concentrations

The creative/production and management/research advertising concentrations:

  • Have opportunities to gain real-world experience
  • Provide a strong foundation of theory and practice in advertising
  • Incorporate broad-based knowledge across advertising, communication and media production
  • Provide marketing and graphic design courses  

Creative/production concentration

For those who want to determine what advertising campaigns look like, sound like or say. It prepares you for a career in:

  • Copywriting
  • Print and digital advertising
  • Commercial production
  • Content creation for websites and social media

Management/research concentration

For those interested in examining how advertising meets communication and marketing goals for organizations. Courses cover:

  • Content marketing and strategic communication
  • How to research markets and choose the best channel to reach those markets
  • Branding
  • Analyzing how campaigns perform and planning future campaigns

Advertising minor

Students also may decide to minor in advertising. The minor is beneficial to students interested in broadcasting, online media, marketing, promotion and other media-related industries and cultures.

BGSU advertising students brainstorm content ideas for magazine advertising courses in small class groups on the Ohio campus.

Sample courses

  • Intro to Interactive Advertising and Social Media
  • Media and Strategic Communication
  • Graphic Design Thinking
  • Audio Production
  • Branding Storytelling
  • Audience Research and Targeting

Updated: 09/25/2024 11:15AM