Advertising Degrees

Overview

The advertising industry generates billions of dollars every year all over the world. Televisions, billboards, movies, magazines; everything that surrounds us is influenced in some way by advertising. If you are thinking about a career in advertising, there are many different things that you will have to think through. One of the most important things you might want to think about is the education that you may need. Majoring in advertising will train you in the visual and creative aspects of advertising and selling a service or product. Advertising majors include courses on brand marketing, consumer behavior, and publishing technologies.

Benefits

Having the expertise to advertise a product or service will broaden your range of potential jobs. Almost every business in every industry requires advertising to some degree to build their reputation and build their client base. Advertising as a profession requires creativity and a strong talent for communication. Creativity in developing ads that catch people's eyes or draws their intrigue is an essential part of being a great advertiser. This profession involves traveling a lot and meeting clients. In general, working as an advertiser will provide you with a reasonably high salary. This salary can range anywhere from $45,000 a year to $75,000 a year, depending if you are an advertising agent or advertising manager.

Costs

The cost of advertising school is usually directly related to the cost of attending business school. Most advertising programs are part of a broader business program or school of business. Business schools vary greatly in range, depending on the school you attend. These differences are affected by whether it is a private institution, state funded school, or simply whether there is a high renowned reputation for the school.

Schools

There are many different types of schools these days that offer business degrees in advertising. Some of the top schools in the country for advertising include Academy of Art University, University of Texas, and the University of Alabama.

Although there are many local universities and colleges that may offer these types of courses, many people have also opted for online programs. These programs allow you maximum flexibility for earning your degree on your own terms and its ideal for many different types of people.

Testing & Preparation

Applying for a business or advertising school often requires placement testing or prerequisite classes to be completed before enrollment. They also look into your high school grades and if you are joining a master degree, then your bachelor's degree score is taken into account. These test or prerequisite classes ensure that your knowledge of the subject is at an adequate level for you to succeed in the class. Of course, specific requirements will vary amongst schools.

Financial Aid

As with all the other courses or programs, the advertising courses have some financial aid including Lagrant Foundation Scholarships and Pell Grant. Colleges like the Art Institute of Tuscon and School of Advertising Art also offer financial aid to their students.