Advertising

Major, Minor

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

As an advertising student, you'll take coursework that blends advertising theory with application. From TV commercials to billboards to digital ads, advertising is a crucial piece of any marketing strategy. You'll develop the skills and know-how for careers at advertising agencies, in-house marketing departments, PR firms and more.

Our advertising program is one of only two programs in Michigan nationally accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. You’ll learn from accomplished faculty with professional experience at major Chicago-, Detroit- and Grand Rapids-based agencies.

You can also specialize in one of three areas: creative, account management or media buying. Depending on your interests, you’ll learn how to create compelling messaging, manage client relationships or effectively promote campaigns.

You'll have the chance to gain hands-on experience through national conferences, such as the College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers Conference (categories include black and white display ad, the classified page, mobile apps and so on). You can acquire experience through paid campus positions at CM Life's "best-in-the-nation" advertising/business department. And you'll collaborate with real organizations like Huntington Learning Centers, Brilliance Audio (a division of Amazon), the Great Lakes Loons, Bissell Home Care and more on real-world advertising challenges during the program.

You'll graduate with an internship under your belt – helping you stand out in the job market. Our graduates have gone on to work at agencies such Deutsch, Digitas, Campbell-Ewald and more.

Program Highlights

As an advertising student here, you'll:

• Join one of only two programs in Michigan nationally accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
• Learn from faculty with extensive industry experience in small classroom settings (faculty have worked with automotive clients in Detroit, as creative directors at Leo Burnett, and more).
• Acquire real-world advertising experience through internships, CMU's campus publications, and/or coursework projects (projects have been with clients like Huntington Learning Centers, Pierano Estates Vineyards, Brilliance Audio, and more).
• Participate in CMU’s Ad Club, which competes in national ad competitions and offers industry-related speaking events, agency field trips, and networking opportunities.