Advertising Program Degree Requirements

Considering a career in advertising? Here are the academic requirements you’ll need to complete to get a degree in advertising from the SOJC.

How to Earn an Advertising Degree

Here’s a basic overview of the path you’ll take to get to graduation:

Step 1

If you're an incoming student, declare “public relations” on your UO application. Current UO students in other majors can fill out our major application form.

Step 2

Complete the SOJC platform courses.

Step 3

Take five core context courses in media theory and analysis. You can take them at the same time as your advertising sequence courses (see Step 4).

Step 4

Complete the advertising sequence requirements. You can take these courses at the same time as the core context courses.

Step 5

Complete a minor or concentration. You can complete these while you’re working through the steps above.

Step 6

Complete all other core education requirements. You can complete these while you're working through the steps above.

Step 7

Apply for your degree. Congrats—you made it!

Minimum Requirements

To graduate with an SOJC degree, you'll need to have:

70+
SOJC credits
40
upper-division SOJC credits
2.70
Minimum SOJC GPA

Platform Courses
All SOJC Students Complete

Once you’re accepted as an SOJC major, you’ll need to complete the courses below. Students in the SOJC Honors Program will meet some of their core context requirements with honors courses.

  • JCOM 101 Media Professions 4 credits
  • JCOM 102 Story Craft Audio 2 credits
  • JCOM 103 Story Craft Visual 2 credits
  • JCOM 201 Making Sense of Media / >2 4 credits
  • JCOM 202 How Stories Work 4 credits
  • JCOM 203 Writing as Practice 4 credits

Core Context Courses
All SOJC Students Complete

All SOJC students must complete five classes in media theory/analysis. You can take them concurrently with the advertising sequence courses. If you’re an SOJC Honors student, you’ll meet some of these requirements with your honors courses.

  • JCOM 301 Gender, Media, and Diversity 4 credits
  • JCOM 302 Communication Law / >2 4 credits
  • JCOM 303 Media Ethics / >1 4 credits
  • JCOM 304 Business of Media 4 credits
  • JCOM 305 Media History / >2 4 credits   or   JCOM 306 Global Communication / >GP 4 credits

Advertising Sequence Requirements
All Advertising Majors Complete

Once you've completed the platform courses, you can start registering for the courses below to complete your advertising degree.

  • JCOM 350 The Creative Strategist 4 credits
  • JCOM 461 Advertising Campaigns 4 credits
  • Choose five of the following courses. At least two must be 300-level, and at least two must be 400-level.
    • JCOM 351 Advertising and Culture 4 credits
    • JCOM 352 Writing Design Concepts 4 credits
    • JCOM 353 Curiosity for Strategists 4 credits
    • JCOM 354 Understanding Brands 4 credits
    • JCOM 355 Brand Responsibility 4 credits
    • JCOM 356 Psychology of Advertising 4 credits
    • JCOM 357 Understanding Strategy 4 credits
    • JCOM 358 Copywriting Craft 4 credits
    • JCOM 359 Account Management 4 credits
    • JCOM 360 Advertising Creative Studio I 4 credits
    • JCOM 361 Advertising Media Planning 4 credits
    • JCOM 454 Digital Ads and Analytics 4 credits
    • JCOM 455 Brand Strategy 4 credits
    • JCOM 456 Brands and Sustainability 4 credits
    • JCOM 457 Sports Brand Strategy 4 credits
    • JCOM 458 Leadership Strategies 4 credits
    • JCOM 459 Topics in Advertising 4 credits
    • JCOM 460 Advertising Creative Studio II 4 credits

General Studies Requirements
All SOJC Students Complete

All SOJC students must complete at least 70 non-SOJC credits. For advertising majors, choose one of the following options:

  • Non-SOJC minor
    See the UO Course Catalog for a list of applicable subject areas. Minors are 24–40 credits (6–10 courses).
  • An SOJC minor
    Select from Game Studies, Media Studies, or Science Communication minors.
  • An SOJC concentration
    Take 16 credits (four courses) from one major concentration: Design, Sports Communication, Documentary Production, Creative Production, Strategy & Leadership, Culture & Influence, or Emerging Technologies.
  • Double-major in a program outside the SOJC
    See the UO Course Catalog for a list of major options. This option cannot be completed in a traditional four-year time frame.

Academic Support and Career Advising

Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC’s Student Success Center is your one-stop shop for undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome—even if you haven’t enrolled yet. Drop in to Room 134 on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment and get on track to meet your goals.

Get Academic Support