Create content and careers that resonate: that’s what we do.

An advertising degree prepares you to create messages and images that will position and promote products, services, and ideas. You’ll gain skills in advertising strategy, research, design, writing, digital and social media, and media campaign planning. 

What You’ll Do  

As an advertising major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real world learning experience in a program that’s just one of two in the state accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). 

  • Work with veteran advertising professionals in small classes. 
  • Develop multimedia production skills using industry-standard software. 
  • Gain real-world experience working as graphic designers, digital media strategists, marketing sales staff, and brand communication managers for SEMO’s award-winning student newspaper, The Arrow. 
  • Gain real-world experience working with SEMO’s American Advertising Award-winning, student-run strategic media agency, SE Creative.

What Can You Do with an Advertising Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Ansira
  • AT&T
  • CNN (Atlanta)
  • ESPN
  • FleishmanHillard
  • Golin-Harris
  • Hoffman Media LLC
  • KSDK-TV (St. Louis); KMOV-TV (St. Louis)
  • MEC
  • Nestle-Purina
  • Osborn Barr
  • Red Letter Communications, Inc.
  • Saint Francis Medical Center
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Southeast Missourian
  • Turner BroadcastingTurner Sports
  • Universal Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Washington Post

Advertising Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $725k

    Advertising Sales Agent

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an advertising sales agent is $75,820. 

     

  • $95k

    Project Management Specialist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a project management specialist is $95,370. 

  • $83k

    Market Research Analyst

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a market research analyst is $83,190. 

     

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As an advertising major you’ll learn how to be successful in today’s ever changing media industry. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.

NOTE: Within the 120 hours it takes to complete a BS in Mass Communication, students must complete a minimum of 75 hours outside of the MC prefix.

NOTE: Students taking classes within the Department of Mass Media that are at the 300 level and above will be required to have a MacBook laptop computer for use in the classroom during class time.

Required Core Courses:

  • MC001 Exit Interview (0)
  • MC101 Media and Society (3)
  • MC221 Digital Media Production (3)
  • MC301 Media Analytics (3)
  • MC304 Media Diversity (3)
  • MC382 Media History (3)
  • MC401 Media Law (3)
  • MCxxx Elective (3)
  • MCxxx Elective (3)
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each core course except MC001 which is a credit/no credit
course

Required Option Courses:

  • MC002 Arrow Lab (0)
  • MC211 Advertising and Society (3)
  • MC310 Advertising Analysis and Strategy (3)
  • MC312 Advertising Creative Concepts (3)
  • MC316 Advertising Media (3)
  • MC318 Advertising Digital Applications (3)
  • MC418 Advertising Campaigns (3)
  • MC429 Media Management (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each required option course.

Required Support Course - choose 3 hours:

  • MA123 Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling (3)
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required.

Required Minor - 15 hours (minimum)

  • Students may choose any minor program of study.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Any student wishing to be formally admitted into the Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Public
Relations, or Television & Film options within the Department of Mass Media must complete the
Declaration of Major form and meet the following criteria:
  • Completion of a minimum 15-semester hours at Southeast Missouri State University or transferred from an accredited college or university.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • 3. Completion of EN 100 or EN 140 with a minimum grade of 'C.'

Freshman Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • MA123 or MA155 (3) 
  • MC101 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC211 (3) 
  • MC221 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Admission to the Mass Communication program after the second semester. 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC310 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC301 (3) 
  • MC304 (3) 
  • MC312 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC316 (3) 
  • MC318 (3)
  • MC Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3)
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC002 (0)
  • MC382 (3) 
  • MC418 (3) 
  • MC429 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC401 (3) 
  • MC Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • MC001 (0) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3)  

Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) logo
  • Public Relations Society of America logo
Contact Us
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Office
Grauel Building, 016
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2775
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701