Catalog 2024-2025

Advertising and Public Relations Major

The B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations merges advertising, public relations, social media, and marketing with creative vision and cutting-edge technologies, to prepare students for professional careers and academic opportunities in strategic communication. Core courses provide foundations in social/digital media, advertising, marketing, and public relations, including skills in market research, creative strategies, media writing, multimedia design, and production. Students work individually and collaboratively with real clients to produce campaigns that engage diverse audiences and meet communication goals across a wide range of platforms. Electives are chosen based on individual student interests and may include concentrations or interdisciplinary offerings.

Each ADPR major will choose one of the following concentrations:

 1. Advertising Creative concentration

 2. Public Relations concentration

 3. General Advertising and Public Relations concentration

Each graduating senior in the ADPR major, regardless of concentration, must submit a portfolio of work for evaluation by the ADPR faculty.

An elective course can only count once towards the major, even if it appears on more than one list.

A maximum of 4 credit hours of internship can be counted toward the ADPR major. Additional internship credits may be counted toward general education electives.

No more that 8 credit hours of independent study may be counted toward electives in a concentration.

To take a graduate course toward the Master of Arts in Social and Emerging Media (MASEM): Only undergraduate students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Social and Emerging Media (MASEM) Accelerated Program may take a graduate course offered by the MASEM program (any course with a SEM prefix or MAPC 611). The four (4) credits will count toward the MASEM degree and toward the B.A. in Advertising & Public Relations.

 

Degree Requirements

Major Core (36 credits)

All ADPR majors, regardless of concentration, must complete the following courses to fulfill the major core:

COM 222Media Aesthetics and Creativity

4

COM 224Media and Society

4

COM 225Media Writing

4

COM 283Principles of Advertising

4

COM 284Principles of Public Relations

4

COM 350Strategic Social Media

4

COM 374Communication Research Methods

4

COM 436Communication and Media Ethics

4

COM 493Capstone in Advertising and Public Relations

4

Total Credit Hours:36

Digital Core (8 credits)

DIGITAL CORE 1

All ADPR majors, regardless of concentration, must complete one of the following courses:

 

ART 110Digital Arts

4

FMX 210Digital Media

4

Total Credit Hours:4

 

DIGITAL CORE 2

All ADPR majors, regardless of concentration, must complete one of the following courses:

ART 305Graphic Design I

4

COM 302Digital Media and Design for Communication

4

Total Credit Hours:4

Any majors planning to take ART 305 must take ART 110 as the prerequisite.

 

ADVERTISING CREATIVE CONCENTRATION (24 credits)

 

Advertising Creative Concentration Core (12 credits)

 


CORE REQUIREMENTS

ADPR majors choosing the advertising creative concentration must complete the following courses:
COM 383Advertising Creative Direction

4

COM 483Advertising Campaigns

4

Total Credit Hours:8

DIGITAL ELECTIVE

ADPR majors in the advertising creative concentration must complete 4 credits from the following list of courses:
COM 236UTTV Student Television

4

COM 250WUTT Student Radio

2 or 4

COM 315Web Design

4

FMX 241Sound, Image and Motion

4

JOU 221Multimedia Storytelling

4

Total Credit Hours:4

Advertising Creative Concentration Electives (12 credits)

ADPR majors choosing the advertising creative concentration must complete 12 credit hours from the following list of electives. At least 8 credit hours must be taken at the 300-level or above. A maximum of 8 credit hours of elective substitutions from another program or department may count as these electives. The course substitutions should closely coincide with the student's scholarly or career interests, and should be chosen with the advice of a communication faculty adviser.

 
ART 102Drawing

4

ART 1042-D Design

4

ART 218Digital Photography

4

ART 281History of Graphic Design

4

ART 309Typography I

4

ART 318Graphic Design II

4

ART 357Modern Art

4

COM 226Introduction to Scriptwriting for Motion Pictures and Television

4

COM 236UTTV Student Television

4

COM 301Introduction to Organizational Communication

4

COM 203Studio TV 1

4

COM 315Web Design

4

COM 323Digital Communication and Society

4

COM 327Communication and Law

4

COM 330The Spartan Agency

1-4

COM 332Television Criticism

4

COM 333Studio TV II

4

COM 334Information and the New World Order

4

COM 344Special Topics

1-4

COM 346Writing for Interactive Media

4

COM 354Internship in Communication

1-4

COM 365Critical Analysis of Media Events

4

COM 370Women, Film and Popular Culture

4

COM 384Writing for Public Relations

4

COM 385Crisis Communication

4

COM 388Multicultural and Prosocial Strategic Communication

4

COM 392Independent Study in Communication

1-4

COM 401Intercultural Communication

4

COM 425Information Technology and Human Values

4

COM 426Public Opinion, the Media and Power

4

COM 443Communication and Cultural Studies

4

COM 466International Advertising

4

FMX 207Digital Drawing

4

FMX 211Media Arts: History and Theory

4

FMX 2173D Animation I

4

FMX 241Sound, Image and Motion

4

FMX 310Creative Coding

4

FMX 311UX/UI User Experience & User Interaction

4

FMX 381Digital Imaging

4

JOU 101Introduction to Journalism

4

JOU 221Multimedia Storytelling

4

JOU 273The Minaret Student Newspaper

1-2

JOU 304Social Solutions Reporting

4

MAPC 611Emerging Technologies

4

MKT 300Principles of Marketing

4

MKT 354Buyer Behavior

4

MKT 411Promotion and Branding Strategies

4

SEM 603Audio and Video Production for Emerging Media

4

SEM 604Social and Emerging Media Strategy and Analytics

4

SEM 610User Experience and Audience Research

4

SEM 611Media Creation and Project Management

4

SEM 612Emerging Media: Industry, Policy, and Law

4

SEM 613Advanced Production in Emerging Media

4

SPE 200Oral Communication

4

SPE 208Speech for Business and the Professions

4

SPE 212Global Speech, Human Rights and Social Justice

4

SPE 300Storytelling: Voice, Script and Movement

4

SPE 308Group Communication

4

SPE 310Interpersonal Communication

4

SPE 315Freedom of Speech and First Amendment Studies

4

SPE 330Special Topics in Speech

2-4

SPE 400Public Messages and Technology

4

SPE 425Persuasion, Argumentation, and Conflict Resolution

4

THR 100Voice and Diction

4

THR 205Oral Performance of Literature

4

WRI 200Introduction to Creative Writing

4

WRI 240Writing Drama

4

Total Credit Hours:12

* JOU 273 and WRI 242 may be taken for up to 4 credits in each major.

** Students may receive credit for SPE 200 or SPE 208 (but not both) because of potential overlap in content.

*** Only undergraduate students enrolled in the MASEM Accelerated Program may take a graduate course offered by the MASEM program (any course with a SEM prefix or MAPC 611).

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONCENTRATION (24 credits)

 

Public Relations Concentration Core (12 credit hours)

ADPR majors choosing the public relations concentration must complete the following courses:

COM 384Writing for Public Relations

4

COM 484Public Relations Campaigns

4

Total Credit Hours:8

BUSINESS CORE ELECTIVE

Choose one of the following:
BUS 101Introduction to Global Business

4

COM 301Introduction to Organizational Communication

4

COM 385Crisis Communication

4

Total Credit Hours:4

 

Public Relations Concentration Electives (12 credits)

ADPR majors choosing the advertising creative concentration must complete 12 credit hours from the following list of electives. At least 8 credit hours must be taken at the 300-level or above. A maximum of 8 credit hours of elective substitutions from another program or department may count as these electives. Course substitutions should closely coincide with the student's scholarly or career interests, and should be chosen with the advice of a communication faculty adviser.

 
BUS 101Introduction to Global Business

4

COM 232Visual Literacy

4

COM 234Topics in Communication

1-4

COM 301Introduction to Organizational Communication

4

COM 315Web Design

4

COM 323Digital Communication and Society

4

COM 325Writing for Broadcast News

4

COM 327Communication and Law

4

COM 330The Spartan Agency

1-4

COM 344Special Topics

1-4

COM 346Writing for Interactive Media

4

COM 354Internship in Communication

1-4

COM 383Advertising Creative Direction

4

COM 385Crisis Communication

4

COM 388Multicultural and Prosocial Strategic Communication

4

COM 392Independent Study in Communication

1-4

COM 401Intercultural Communication

4

COM 425Information Technology and Human Values

4

COM 443Communication and Cultural Studies

4

COM 499Senior Project

4

FMX 241Sound, Image and Motion

4

JOU 101Introduction to Journalism

4

JOU 221Multimedia Storytelling

4

JOU 271News Reporting and Writing

4

JOU 273The Minaret Student Newspaper

1-2

JOU 304Social Solutions Reporting

4

JOU 371Feature Writing

4

MAPC 611Emerging Technologies

4

MKT 300Principles of Marketing

4

MKT 362Digital Marketing

4

MKT 411Promotion and Branding Strategies

4

SEM 601Digital Storytelling

4

SEM 602Visual Design for Emerging Media

4

SEM 603Audio and Video Production for Emerging Media

4

SEM 604Social and Emerging Media Strategy and Analytics

4

SEM 610User Experience and Audience Research

4

SEM 611Media Creation and Project Management

4

SEM 612Emerging Media: Industry, Policy, and Law

4

SEM 613Advanced Production in Emerging Media

4

SPE 200Oral Communication

4

SPE 208Speech for Business and the Professions

4

SPE 212Global Speech, Human Rights and Social Justice

4

SPE 308Group Communication

4

SPE 315Freedom of Speech and First Amendment Studies

4

SPE 400Public Messages and Technology

4

SPE 425Persuasion, Argumentation, and Conflict Resolution

4

WRI 220Digital Writing and Culture

4

WRI 242Introduction to Publication Editing and Design

4

WRI 281Technical Writing

4

Total Credit Hours:12

* JOU 273 and WRI 242 may be taken for up to 4 credits in each major.

** Students may receive credit for SPE 200 or SPE 208 (but not both) because of potential overlap in content.

*** Only undergraduate students enrolled in the MASEM Accelerated Program may take a graduate course offered by the MASEM program (any course with a SEM prefix or MAPC 611).

 

GENERAL CONCENTRATION (24 credits)

 

Advertising and Public Relations General Concentration Core (12 credit hours)

ADPR majors choosing the general concentration must complete the following courses:


Core Elective 1

ADPR majors in the general concentration must choose one of the following courses:

COM 383Advertising Creative Direction

4

or

COM 384Writing for Public Relations

4

Total Credit Hours:4

 

Core Elective 2

ADPR majors in the general concentration must complete 4 credits from the following list of courses:

BUS 101Introduction to Global Business

4

COM 236UTTV Student Television

4

COM 250WUTT Student Radio

2 or 4

COM 301Introduction to Organizational Communication

4

COM 315Web Design

4

COM 385Crisis Communication

4

FMX 241Sound, Image and Motion

4

JOU 221Multimedia Storytelling

4

Total Credit Hours:4

 

Campaigns Requirement

Choose one of the following:

COM 483Advertising Campaigns

4

or

COM 484Public Relations Campaigns

4

Total Credit Hours:4

 

General Concentration Electives (12 credit hours)

ADPR majors choosing the general concentration must complete 12 credit hours from the following list of electives. At least 8 credit hours must be taken at the 300-level or above. 
A maximum of 8 credit hours of elective substitutions from another program or department may count as these electives. Course substitutions should closely coincide with the student's scholarly or career interests, and should be chosen with the advice of a communication faculty adviser.

 
ART 102Drawing

4

ART 1042-D Design

4

ART 110Digital Arts

4

ART 218Digital Photography

4

ART 318Graphic Design II

4

BUS 101Introduction to Global Business

4

COM 234Topics in Communication

1-4

COM 236UTTV Student Television

4

COM 301Introduction to Organizational Communication

4

COM 203Studio TV 1

4

COM 315Web Design

4

COM 323Digital Communication and Society

4

COM 325Writing for Broadcast News

4

COM 327Communication and Law

4

COM 330The Spartan Agency

1-4

COM 333Studio TV II

4

COM 334Information and the New World Order

4

COM 344Special Topics

1-4

COM 346Writing for Interactive Media

4

COM 354Internship in Communication

1-4

COM 383Advertising Creative Direction

4

COM 384Writing for Public Relations

4

COM 385Crisis Communication

4

COM 388Multicultural and Prosocial Strategic Communication

4

COM 392Independent Study in Communication

1-4

COM 401Intercultural Communication

4

COM 426Public Opinion, the Media and Power

4

COM 443Communication and Cultural Studies

4

COM 466International Advertising

4

COM 499Senior Project

4

COM 483Advertising Campaigns

4

COM 484Public Relations Campaigns

4

ECO 204Principles of Microeconomics

4

FMX 2173D Animation I

4

FMX 241Sound, Image and Motion

4

FMX 310Creative Coding

4

FMX 339Game Design and Production

4

FMX 381Digital Imaging

4

JOU 101Introduction to Journalism

4

JOU 221Multimedia Storytelling

4

JOU 271News Reporting and Writing

4

JOU 273The Minaret Student Newspaper

1-2

JOU 304Social Solutions Reporting

4

JOU 371Feature Writing

4

MAPC 611Emerging Technologies

4

MKT 300Principles of Marketing

4

MKT 354Buyer Behavior

4

MKT 371Professional Selling and Sales Management

4

MKT 410Global Marketing

4

MKT 411Promotion and Branding Strategies

4

MKT 450Marketing Strategy

4

SEM 601Digital Storytelling

4

SEM 602Visual Design for Emerging Media

4

SEM 603Audio and Video Production for Emerging Media

4

SEM 604Social and Emerging Media Strategy and Analytics

4

SEM 610User Experience and Audience Research

4

SEM 611Media Creation and Project Management

4

SEM 612Emerging Media: Industry, Policy, and Law

4

SEM 613Advanced Production in Emerging Media

4

SPE 200Oral Communication

4

SPE 208Speech for Business and the Professions

4

SPE 212Global Speech, Human Rights and Social Justice

4

SPE 300Storytelling: Voice, Script and Movement

4

SPE 308Group Communication

4

SPE 310Interpersonal Communication

4

SPE 315Freedom of Speech and First Amendment Studies

4

SPE 330Special Topics in Speech

2-4

SPE 400Public Messages and Technology

4

SPE 425Persuasion, Argumentation, and Conflict Resolution

4

THR 100Voice and Diction

4

THR 205Oral Performance of Literature

4

WRI 200Introduction to Creative Writing

4

WRI 220Digital Writing and Culture

4

WRI 242Introduction to Publication Editing and Design

4

WRI 274Creative Nonfiction

4

WRI 281Technical Writing

4

Total Credit Hours:12

*Students may receive credit for SPE 200 or SPE 208 (but not both) because of potential overlap in content.

JOU 273 and WRI 242 may be taken for up to 4 credits in each major.

NOTE: Only undergraduate students enrolled in the MASEM Accelerated Program may take a graduate course offered by the MASEM program (any course with a SEM prefix or MAPC 611).

Total Credit Hours: 68