Advertising School: List of Top Advertising Schools in the U.S.

Published Sep 14, 2009

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If you're interested in a career as an advertising sales representative, art director or brand strategist, check out the information below on the degrees available in this field from top institutions nationwide. The University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin and Michigan State University all offer various levels of advertising degree programs that are among the best in the nation.

Details of Advertising Degree Programs

Advertising Associate's Degree Programs

Associate's degree programs in advertising prepare students for entry-level positions as advertising sales representatives or public relations specialists. Associate's degree programs teach students the fundamentals of advertising, such as producing compelling advertising copy in verbal and written form, identifying and utilizing proper media channels for advertisements, and understanding consumer needs. Other coursework includes principles of marketing and advertising, professional selling and consumer behavior.

Advertising Bachelor's Degree Programs

Advertising bachelor's degree programs ready students for careers as media planners, advertising copywriters and advertising sales account executives. Essential to such programs are courses on communications ethics and law, public relations, direct response advertising, strategic advertisements and advertising research. Upon graduating from a bachelor's degree program, students will be proficient in creating strong sales pitches, as well as tailoring ad copy to fulfill customer needs. Most of the top advertising bachelor's degree programs include internship programs to provide students with practical experience in their chosen specialty.

Advertising Master's Degree Programs

Master's degree programs in advertising prepare students for careers as advertising researchers, art directors, media planners and administrators of advertising agencies. Some advertising master's degree programs offer such areas of concentration as management, creative, media and education. Students take courses on advertising research, persuasive advertising in communications, global consumer culture, art direction and communication theory. Many advertising master's degree programs require students to complete a thesis in a specialized area of study prior to graduation.

Advertising Doctoral Degree Programs

Doctoral degrees in advertising allow graduate students to fully develop their academic research skills in advertising and related fields. Doctoral-level programs prepare graduates for careers as advertising researchers or professors at post-secondary institutions. Doctoral candidates must possess a master's degree in advertising or a related field. Before receiving a doctorate, each student must complete a dissertation in their precise field of study.

Top Public and Private Non-Profit Schools with Advertising Degree Programs

School NameInstitution TypeEnrollmentMailing AddressPhone Number
University of Florida4-year, Public51,474355 Tigert Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611(352) 392-3261
University of Central Florida4-year, Public50,1214000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816(407) 823-2000
The University of Texas at Austin4-year, Public49,984Austin, TX 78712(512) 471-3434
Michigan State University4-year, Public46,510East Lansing, MI 48824(517) 355-1855
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus4-year, Public44,406201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802(814) 865-4700
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign4-year, Public43,246601 E John St., Champaign, IL 61820(217) 333-1000
New York University4-year, Private not-for-profit42,18970 Washington Sq. South, New York, NY 10012(212) 998-1212
Temple University4-year, Public35,4901801 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122(215) 204-7000
University of North Texas4-year, Public34,830Chestnut Ave., Denton, TX 76203(940) 565-2000
American River College2-year, Public34,6104700 College Oak Dr, Sacramento, CA 95841(916) 484-8011
Brigham Young University4-year, Private not-for-profit34,244Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602(801) 422-4636
University of Georgia4-year, Public34,180Athens, GA 30602(706) 542-3000
Santa Ana College2-year, Public33,9161530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706(714) 564-6000
San Jose State University4-year, Public32,7461 Washington Sq., San Jose, CA 95192(408) 924-1000
Boston University4-year, Private not-for-profit31,766One Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215(617) 353-2000
University of Tennessee4-year, Public30,410Circle Park, Knoxville, TN 37996(865) 974-1000
Texas State University-San Marcos4-year, Public29,105601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666(512) 245-2111
Texas Tech University4-year, Public28,422Broadway and University Ave., Lubbock, TX 79409(806) 742-2011
University of South Carolina - Columbia4-year, Public27,488Columbia, SC 29208(803) 777-7000
Central Michigan University4-year, Public27,225Mount Pleasant, MI 48859(989) 774-4000
University of Alabama4-year, Public27,014739 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35487(205) 348-6010
Iowa State University4-year, Public26,856Ames, IA 50011(515) 294-5836
Palomar College2-year, Public26,8051140 W. Mission, San Marcos, CA 92069(760) 744-1150
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus4-year, Public26,140660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019(405) 325-0311
Sacramento City College2-year, Public26,1283835 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822(916) 558-2111

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