What is advertising?

Advertising is used by businesses and non-profit organizations to communicate messages about themselves, their products, services, and causes. Advertisers create creative and dynamic promotional communication inform to persuade, and remind their audiences.

Why study advertising at SDSU?

Students in the Advertising Program will learn:

• 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 campaign. Through electives such as Advertising Media, International Advertising, Advertising and Society, Advertising Web Design, and Communicating with the Multicultural Consumer, students have the opportunity to broaden their learning experiences. Students obtain real-world learning experiences through an advertising internship.