Advertising

UF's Department of Advertising consistently ranks as one of the top U.S. advertising programs. It is based in a college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The department's curriculum, among the most comprehensive in the United States, is taught by a faculty with the knowledge and experience to bring a balance of professional skills and conceptual orientation to the classroom.

Students choose one of two specializations:

Advertising Agency

Emphasizes skills that are necessary for entry-level positions in an advertising agency and is designed to provide a foundation for advancement to positions of leadership in these organizations. This specialization introduces the concepts and skills needed to prepare for careers in account management, account planning, media planning, research, art direction, and copywriting.  All students in the Advertising Campaigns course are required to complete a program-level assessment.

Persuasive Messaging

Focuses on the skill set required to engage media audiences with the use of strategic, persuasive communications. The specialization emphasizes the concepts and application of audience and media analytics, advertising sales, brand storytelling, and message persuasion. The specialization  prepares students for careers in a broad array of industries and organizations.

The advertising curriculum is designed to provide a foundation for problem-solving, strategic thinking, and persuasion techniques that drive audience-centered marketplace communications. Skills attained can be applied to the advertising industry, to entrepreneurism, and to health marketing, among others. Learning outcomes prepare students for the challenges of culturally diverse and technologically changing marketplaces.

Students choose one of two specializations:

Advertising Agency

The Advertising Agency specialization emphasizes skills that are necessary for entry-level positions in an advertising agency and is designed to provide a foundation for advancement to positions of leadership in these organizations. This track introduces students to the concepts and skills needed to prepare for careers in account management, account planning, media planning, research, art direction and copywriting. 

Persuasive Messaging

The Persuasive Messaging specialization focuses on the skill set required to engage media audiences through the use of strategic, persuasive communications. The track emphasizes the concepts and application of audience and media analytics, advertising sales, brand storytelling, and message persuasion. The track prepares students for careers in a broad array of industries and organizations.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Achieve a passing score of 70% on your student portfolio, which will be evaluated by two faculty members as part of ADV 4800, the major’s capstone course.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Correctly identify information and trends related to the history and roles of professionals and institutions in shaping strategic communications.

Critical Thinking

1. Formulate accurate audience insights from research and consumer information.
2. Correctly analyze strategic communication from case studies in branding.

Communication

1. Work effectively in teams to solve strategic communication problems.
2. Orally present ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Oral presentations
• Peer Evaluations
• Rubric

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

• A copy of your transcript for any school you have attended with the grades you have earned
• A list of your high school activities including jobs, clubs, sports, community service, etc.
• Information about your parent(s) or guardian(s), such as educational background, occupation and employer information

Add UF as a university to receive your application and review our specific application requirements.

Fill in your profile information. Your profile is where you'll enter information that will be sent to all schools to which you apply. The University of Florida requires the following sections:

• Information about who you are and how to contact you, your address, citizenship, high school and family information
• Current-year coursework
• Honors and distinctions
• Activities and experiences

Complete the UF Supplement. This includes a few additional short-answer questions so that we can learn more about you when reviewing your application.

Complete the essay questions. The essay helps our admissions staff get to know you better. Use this space to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn elsewhere in your application. And remember, the best essay topic for you is going to be the one that you are most excited to write about.

Once you have submitted your application, a link will appear on your status page to create your Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR). List your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. You must complete the SSAR by December 1 for your application to be complete. If you begin the SSAR separately before submitting your UF application, be sure to link it to your application once your application has been submitted.

Submit your test scores to UF no later than December 15. You may either self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores through your application status page or send official scores from the testing agency. Since accuracy is critical, students who choose to self-report should have a copy of their SAT/ACT score report(s) available to reference when submitting their scores. Because UF superscores both the SAT and ACT, we encourage you to submit scores for all SAT or ACT tests you have taken. If admitted, students who have self-reported their scores in the admissions process will be required to submit official scores from the testing agency to UF by May 1. UF Institutional Codes:

You may request to begin your studies in either the Summer B or Fall term. The term requested DOES NOT affect the consideration of your application. If you are admitted, we will try to offer you the term you requested, but space limitations may mean you receive an offer for a different term.

When you submit your application, pay the $30 nonrefundable fee by credit card unless you qualify for a fee waiver. In both the Common and Coalition applications, you can indicate in the profile section if you qualify for a fee waiver.

You will receive an email 24-48 hours after submitting your application with instructions to create your MyAdmissions application status credentials. Once completed, you can log in to the MyAdmissions app status portal to keep track of your application status and the materials that UF has received. This is also where you will find the link to create your SSAR.