• What is advertising?

• Why study advertising at SDSU?
• Careers in advertising

What is advertising?

Advertising is used by businesses and non-profit organizations to communicate messages about themselves, their products, their services and their causes.

Advertisers create dynamic promotional communication to inform, persuade and remind their audiences.

Why study advertising at SDSU?

Students in the advertising emphasis, within the School of Journalism & Media Studies, will learn:

• To understand the basic principles and theories of advertising
• To write copy and design messages for distribution through multiple media channels
• To apply appropriate research methods to plan, monitor and evaluate advertising
• To develop strategic thinking skills applied to targeting audiences
• To create and implement advertising campaigns that are responsible to both consumers’ as well as corporate needs
• To critically analyze issues related to advertising
• To communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• To practice ethical communication

Study begins with a survey course encompassing all aspects of advertising. Study of these theories and practices continues through courses in creative design and advertising research methods. Senior students complete a capstone course in which they apply all of their skills in creating a complete advertising campaign. Through electives such as International Advertising and Advertising and Society, students have the opportunity to broaden their learning experiences. Students obtain real-world learning experiences through an advertising internship.

Careers in advertising

Advertising graduates are employed in advertising agencies and marketing departments in the areas of media ad sales, sales promotions, research, creative development, account services, sales management, and digital and social media.

On this page: Ed Stephenson, pictured above in Viejas Arena before an Aztecs basketball game, put what he learns in his advertising courses to work as a paid marketing intern in the San Diego State University athletics department. Photo by Sam Hodgson.