Advertising
103 Gregory Hall
810 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1602
Fax: (217) 244-3348
Major: Advertising
Degrees offered: M.S.
Graduate Degree Program
The Department of Advertising offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree. The Master of Science degree in Advertising is designed to prepare leaders in the industry or for an advanced degree in advertising education. The preparatory nature of the curriculum provides the theoretical foundations, methodological tools, and practical applications to prepare students for an advertising career or for an advanced degree program. The Department of Advertising at the University of Illinois is the oldest such program in the country. We are grounded in the principles of our founder and “father of advertising education” Charles H. Sandage, that students must understand the theory of advertising as well as the practice. His goal was to enable students to become leaders and problem solvers. We honor that vision by creating a comprehensive, cohesive curriculum that provides foundational courses but also allow for flexibility of interest through electives within and outside the college.
Admission
Admission to graduate study in advertising requires completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree in an accredited institution of recognized standing. Applicants are required to submit results from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and are required to upload to the application a short essay indicating why they want to pursue graduate work in advertising. The Department of Advertising requires non-native English-speaking applicants to show evidence of English proficiency, which is provided by a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores for TOEFL (international students only): 253 (CBT), 104 (IBT), 607 (PBT), and IELTS greater than 6.5. Three letters of recommendation are required. Transcripts from all universities that you have attended must be submitted (note: can be uploaded in your application). The required method of applying is online through the Graduate College Web site, and the Graduate College admission requirementsalso apply, see http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/requirements. Completed applications are due February 1, and applications are accepted for fall admission only.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements for all degrees, please refer to the department's Graduate Degree Requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science
| Required Courses | Required Hours - Thesis Option | Required Hours - Non-thesis Option |
|---|---|---|
| ADV 550, 580, 581, 582, 587, 588 | 18 | 18 |
| Graduate-level electives (at least 1 course from College/Department and 1 course from outside the College) | 12 | 12 |
| Professional project, ADV 598, must have faculty approval. | 6 | |
| Thesis Hours Required, must have faculty approval – ADV 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | 36 |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 24 | 24 |
| Minimum Number of 500-level Hours Required Overall in Program: | 24 | 24 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Additional background courses that do not count toward graduation may be required, as determined by the advisor | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 | 2.75 |
Students are required to complete 36 hours towards the degree, including a professional project or thesis requirement. Full-time status requires 12 hours per semester, making it possible to complete the degree in three semesters. Admission is only granted for fall semester.
A graduate course listing for Advertising students is available online.
Faculty Research Interests
Faculty profiles are available at the Advertising Department's Web site.