Advertising
Amanda Hein ('07) at TBWA CHIAT DAY in Santa Monica.
The advertising sequence prepares student through a holistic approach that is rooted in theory and grounded in practice. Students examine approaches to creative thinking, branding and consumer engagement and explore the rapidly evolving digital landscape and its impact on business and culture. Then they draw on that base of knowledge to solve real-world problems for both commercial clients and non-profit organizations.
The major offers courses in creative concepts, art direction, branding, media and consumer insight. Students regularly intern at Colorado agencies and global firms including Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, and BBDO. The program’s focus, however, is not on technical skills but on ideas and creative problem solving in the broadest sense. That is why graduates have been able to launch successful careers in everything from advertising and arts management to health policy and law. Those choosing to pursue advertising careers have taken positions at a variety of Colorado firms and at such national agencies as Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Wieden & Kennedy, BBH, Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, Leo Burnett, and BBDO.
The advertising program was named one of the country’s “renowned advertising programs” by the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Students in the creative track have also consistently taken home more awards than those at any other four-year university in the international One Show College Competition, the premier creative competition sponsored by New York’s One Club.
Where recent graduates are working. A partial list of job titles and companies of recent graduates.
Advertising a2b is a three-week certificate program now in it’s sixth year at CU. It is open to all majors, except prejournalism, with 60 hours of credit.
Students hear from the advertising industry’s biggest names at the annual Innovators Series.
Course Requirements for Advertising Majors
For Students Admitted prior to Spring 2012:
- A total of 120 credit hours with a minimum of 28 hours in journalism and 80 non-journalism hours are required for graduation.
- 65 of the 80 non-journalism hours must be in arts and sciences course work.
- 40 of the 120 credit hours must be upper-division.
- Within the 80 credit hours of non-journalism course work, 12 credit hours must be upper-division hours concentrated in a single area of study or a certified minor.
- The last 30 hours toward the degree must be taken after admission to the program.
For Students Admitted Spring 2012 and later:
- A total of 120 credit hours with a minimum of 28 hours in journalism and 80 non-journalism hours are required for graduation.
- 65 of the 80 non-journalism hours must be in arts and sciences course work.
- 45 of the 120 credit hours must be upper-division.
- Within the 80 credit hours of non-journalism course work, an additional field of study is required. (The AFS is 30-33 hours, similar to a major.)
- The last 30 hours toward the degree must be taken after admission to the program.
Read the undergraduate application requirements.
If you are a senior you must consult your academic adviser before registration.
Journalism Course Descriptions
Journalism Core Requirements (12 hours)
JOUR 1001 Contemporary Media Analysis (Restricted to pre-journalism students)
JOUR 2403 Principles of Advertising and Consumer Culture
After admission to JMC
One upper division journalism conceptual course- Journalism conceptual courses
JOUR 4651 Media Law (May be limited to seniors)
Advertising Course Descriptions
Advertising Requirements (16 hours)
JOUR 3403 Branding and Positioning (JOUR 2403 prerequisite)
JOUR 3453 Intro to Creative Concepts (JOUR 2403 prerequisite)
JOUR 3463 Advertising Media (JOUR 3403 and 3453 prerequisites)
OR
JOUR 3503 Intermediate Creative (by application and JOUR 3403 and 3453 prerequisites)
JOUR 4403 Advertising Campaigns (Either JOUR 3463 or JOUR 3503 prerequisites)
JOUR 4931 Internship (JOUR 3403 or JOUR 3453 prerequisite)
Journalism Electives (a maximum of 12 hours within 120)
Creative Track Electives
JOUR 4513 Art Direction (by application and with JOUR 3503)
JOUR 4503 Advanced Creative (by application and JOUR 3503 and JOUR 4513)
JOUR 4523 Portfolio (by application and JOUR 4503)
Strategy Track Electives
JOUR 4543 Strategic Brand Management (JOUR 3463 prerequisite)
JOUR 4533 Applied Consumer Insights (JOUR 3403 & JOUR 3453 prerequisites)
Electives Relevant to Creative and Strategic Track
JOUR 4873 Special Topics (May be controlled enrollment)
Additional Requirements for Advertising (7 hours)
ECON 2010 Principles of Microeconomics
BCOR 2400 Fundamentals of Marketing (ECON 2010 prerequisites)