Advertising and Public Relations
Develop skills in advertising. Gain real-world experience.
Advertising and Public Relations, Advertising Concentration, B.S.
The major in Advertising and Public Relations with a concentration in Advertising prepares students for positions in advertising including, but not limited to, media buying or sales, campaign management and advertising creative.
Students in advertising receive a well-rounded experience in both the creative and management side of the business. One minor is required to allow students to gain additional experience in an approved related area.
The Advertising concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Advertising & Public Relations program is offered through the School of Journalism and Strategic Media in the College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU. Students will select from either a concentration in Advertising, Public Relations, or Public Relations with an emphasis on the recording industry.
Advertising professionals inform the public about goods and services, build brands, manage social media, and encourage audience action through advertising messages. The Advertising concentration at MTSU offers preparation for diverse advertising careers. Our creative focused courses teach students to write, design, and create materials for a variety of media from print to digital. Our management focused courses teach students the principles of media planning/buying, account planning, and campaign management. The program concludes with a capstone course in which students work with clients. Faculty who teach advertising have diverse professional experience and remain active as consultants and researchers. Students gain additional experience through The Ad Club.
Students have the opportunity to experience agency life through participating in our student-powered agency, Ever Blue Branding. Students working in Ever Blue Branding have the opportunity to start in the agency at the ground level and develop skills to eventually become part of the agency leadership. Agency participation can be over multiple semesters.
News Briefs
MTSU advertising students earn runner-up for on-deadline campaign at postal challenge
Nine Middle Tennessee State University advertising and public relations students showed off their strategic communications skills with a runner-up finish in their category at the recent 2025 USPS Direct Effect Innovation Challenge. [ Read More ]
Middle Tennessee State University unveils ‘Career EDGE’, next steps at QEP town hall
Dozens of Middle Tennessee State University faculty, staff and students received an overview of progress thus far and discussed the next steps in the school’s latest Quality Enhancement Plan concept at a QEP town hall hosted Wednesday, March 5, on campus.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU advertising students earn runner-up for on-deadline campaign at postal challenge
Nine Middle Tennessee State University advertising and public relations students showed off their strategic communications skills with a runner-up finish in their category at the recent 2025 USPS Direct Effect Innovation Challenge. [ Read More ]
Middle Tennessee State University unveils ‘Career EDGE’, next steps at QEP town hall
Dozens of Middle Tennessee State University faculty, staff and students received an overview of progress thus far and discussed the next steps in the school’s latest Quality Enhancement Plan concept at a QEP town hall hosted Wednesday, March 5, on campus.[ Read More ]
Advertising and Public Relations, Advertising Concentration, B.S.
Employer List
Alumni Success
It taught time management the most. Being in college can be a grind (especially if you graduate early), so you have to discipline yourself and be able to make deadlines which is the most important skill I have transferred over to my professional career.
-Daniel Jones, Class of '23, Marketing Specialist at MEDHOST
MTSU prepared me for my career by providing a strong foundation of knowledge and practical experience directly aligned with my current role. Through its comprehensive curriculum and opportunities for hands-on learning, I gained the skills and confidence needed to excel in my field.
-Madelyn Chappelear, Class of '20, Digital Marketing Director at Intrinsic Digetal
Through MTSU I gained the foundational knowledge for what I'd need to be able to enter into my field aka how to build and execute a marketing strategy.
-Martin Davies, Class of '20, Paid Media Marketing Manager at Stonebranch
Perspective is everything in many career paths, but especially in marketing and advertising. MTSU’s CCSA study abroad program broadened my worldview, deepened my otherwise limited cultural understanding, and prepared me to connect with diverse audiences. These skills have been invaluable in crafting strategies that resonate globally and building meaningful connections across cultures.
-Taylor Sloan, Class of '15, Marketing Manager at Hi-Rez Studios
I had an internship/co-op with Nissan that further expanded on the skills my professors taught me at MTSU, that lead into a full-time position with the company.
-Ally Vaupel, Class of '22, Senior Regional Consumer Affairs Specialist, Nissan North America
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Degrees
MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Advertising and Public Relations or Journalism.
Concentrations within Advertising and Public Relations include:
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Public Relations-Recording Industry
Concentrations within Journalism include:
- Entertainment Journalism
- Environmental Journalism and Communication
- Investigative Journalism
- Media Design
- Media Studies
- Sports Media
For complete curriculum details, click on REQUIREMENTS.
Undergraduate or graduate students outside the College of Media and Entertainment may choose to minor in Mass Communication with an emphasis in any of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media’s concentrations.
A Master of Science (M.S.) degree is available in Media and Communication.
Accreditation Equals Excellence
About 1,000 schools across the US offer study in journalism, public relations or some form of media. Only 112 of these are accredited journalism and media programs. We’re proud that MTSU is one of these.
Accreditation is a voluntary self-assessment and external review by educators and media professionals. The reviewers examine program resources, classes and student success. Every six years, MTSU’s program is measured against national standards to ensure that we’re offering the best, most up-to-date experience we can provide. Accreditation provides an assurance of quality to students, parents, and the public.
The MTSU School of Journalism and Strategic Media was found in full compliance on all nine accreditation standards.
Go to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication for more information about the value of accreditation.
Our Mission Statement
The School of Journalism and Strategic Media’s mission statement is comprised of five key points:
- Provide an undergraduate education combining contemporary media instruction with hands-on professional experience.
- Educate students about the role and responsibilities of a free press and media in a democratic and diverse society.
- Prepare students for careers in journalism, communication, and strategic media in an ever-evolving media environment.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge in journalism, communication, and strategic media through research, scholarship, creative, and professional activity.
- Create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in its curriculum, organizations, and community engagement through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
A PDF copy of the Mission Statement can be downloaded here.
Our Strategic Plan
The SoJSM’s Strategic Plan can be viewed here.
Our Assessment Plan
The SoJSM’s Assessment Plan can be viewed here.
Data
In the spirit of sharing information related to the program’s performance with the public, the following data is provided:
- New Freshmen Fall-to-Fall Retention
- Undergraduate Fall-to-Fall Retention
- 4-year Graduation Rates
- 6-year Graduation Rates
- Degrees Awarded by Academic Year
- Student Learning Outcomes
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