School of Journalism and Mass Communication

“San Jose State's Mass Communications program provided me with a scalable skill set that has proved valuable in this New Economy.”

Jamie Williams
Media CEO
screenwriter
former NFL star

Undergraduate curriculum: Advertising

The Advertising Program is highly specialized to meet present and future professional needs. It is the only degree–granting advertising program at a public university in California, and is one of only 23 accredited advertising degree programs in the United States. It has a larger selection of classes than any other advertising program in California.

The advertising profession is currently booming in the area and across the nation. It is an exciting career for those who are creative, in writing or design, as well as those who prefer a business-oriented occupation. Our award-winning program has two tracks -- one creative and one management. In national competition San José State is one of the few universities to have won the National AAF Student Campaigns Competition twice.

The advertising degree program has about 260 majors and represents a good multicultural mix of students from around the world. The program is housed in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, which is the largest unit in northern California with 650 undergraduate majors and about 75 graduate students. In addition to the Advertising program, the School also has degree programs in Public Relations and Journalism.

Program highlights

One of two advertising degree programs in California, and one of 23 nationally.
Ad majors get a high level of practical experience working on the Spartan Daily, the daily campus newspaper which is produced by students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The campaigns class (for seniors) plans and executes campaigns for real clients in Silicon Valley.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is one of the first units on campus to have a completely wireless environment. All classrooms have wireless access, and majors are required to have a laptop/notebook Apple or PC for use in their classes.
All majors complete a required internship, which leads to a higher level of job placement after graduation.
One of the most comprehensive advertising curriculums on the West Coast with more than 10 courses and multiple faculty.
Student teams actively participate in national competitions such as AAF. Over the years, student teams have won many national honors.
In addition to the Advertising program, the School also has degree programs in Journalism and Public Relations.

Required lower division courses:

Engl 1A and Engl 1B
Adv 091; Mcom 72 (GE Area D3)

Recommended lower division courses:

Area A1:     Comm 20; Comm 20N; MAS 74
Area B1:     Metr 10; Geol 02,20; Geog 01
Area B2:     Biol 10; NuFS 04
Area B4:     Stat 95
Area C1:     ArtH 10, 72; Dram 10; Musc 10AB
Area D1:     Psych 01
Area D2:     AfAm 2AB; AAS 33AB; Hist 15AB
Area E:       NuFS 09; RecL 10