Advertising
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Strategically communicate with various audiences. Use a wide range of writing and design techniques. Build brand awareness, help companies stand out, and generate revenue for organizations.
There’s an art and science to advertising: you need to create the right message and deliver it at the right time using the right media.
Organizations use advertising to inform, educate, and entertain end users. That’s why advertising is one of the most important links to potential—and existing—customers.
If you want to join a multibillion-dollar creative industry, help target the right audiences, and promote what brands and organizations have to offer, check out the Advertising degree at Winona State University.
This major is designed for students who want a career in advertising at traditional ad agencies or boutiques, promotions teams, and even corporate marketing or communication departments.
This program is available through WSU’s Mass Communication Department.
available annually just for Advertising and Mass Communication students through the Foundation in addition to general WSU scholarships.
As an Advertising major, you’ll learn how to create and produce work in video, audio, print, and digital formats.
You’ll also:
- use Adobe InDesign as well as audio and video editing software
- explore best practices for designing effective ads across formats
- write advertising copy that engages users and achieves business goals
- dive into building a social media strategy that responds to rapid technology changes
Your coursework in Advertising pairs well with many programs at WSU—from Public Relations and Marketing to Photography and Art & Design to English, Business, and more.
Tayah Lee ’24 transferred to Winona State to pursue her passion for advertising.
With support from advisors and Mass Communication professors, she gained the skills and confidence needed for a fulfilling and creative career.
Read Tayah’s Story
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
As an Advertising major, you’ll take most of your classes in Phelps Hall.
This building features several learning spaces, like a multimedia studio, interactive media lab, photography studio, and dark room.
You’ll also have access to a variety of cutting-edge mass communication equipment to use for class assignments and other projects.
Think video cameras (digital and old-school film), GoPros, Wacom tablets, digital cameras, microphones and audio recorders, light kits, and more.
As an Advertising major, you can complete a 120-hour hands-on internship before you graduate.
Students in this program have interned as production assistants, social media coordinators, and account assistants for The Brand Lab, Lakeside Marketing, the City of Shakopee, Frozen River Film Festival, and more.
This intensive field experience will give you supervised practice with a variety of clients and organizations.
Real-World Projects
During your final semester, you’ll partner with Public Relations majors in the Campaigns capstone course.
Together, you’ll form agencies and compete against other groups for the business of a national or international client by creating a professional strategic communication campaign that responds to a real-world challenge the client experiences.
Student teams pitch ideas directly to the client as well as in front of professors and students—then they follow through to create all the advertising and communication materials.
The Campaigns class is an incredible opportunity for students to gain hands-on industry experience before graduation.
You’ll walk away with a professional portfolio filled with top-quality work that will impress any employer.
Previous campaign challenge clients include:
- Anytime Fitness
- Best Buy
- Cambria
- Cameron’s Coffee
- Edina Reality
- Hormel
- Mall of America
- Mayo Clinic
- Target
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling the world. At WSU, you can earn credit that applies to your degree while exploring the globe.
Learn about visual communications in Berlin.
Or dive into studio art and design practices in Italy and China.
Complement your studies and meet other students who are passionate about advertising and mass communication through campus clubs and organizations.
Join the American Advertising Federation (AdFed), American Marketing Association, or Public Relations Student Society of America.
Check out Mass COMM-Unity, The Winonan newspaper, Warrior Entertainment Network, and the Professional Association for Design (AIGA).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analyst professions are predicted to grow 13% by 2032.
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managerial positions also expect a 6% growth within the next decade.
