Overview

Advertising is a competitive, creative and challenging industry that sits at the intersection of media and society. The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising, offered by the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, provides students with an overall understanding and appreciation of the influence advertising and marketing communications have in business and the social and economic orders. Students become acquainted with the language, processes and opportunities within the industry, including potential roles in strategic planning, research, copywriting, art direction, and media buying and planning. The major is designed to stimulate curiosity, strengthen critical thinking and create more astute consumers whether they enter the field of advertising or not.

Advertising students at Temple University fall into clearly-defined groups:

• Students interested in advertising as a career;
• Students with creative talent in art, design, writing and strategic thinking and wish to express that talent in a professional career;
• Students who are broadly interested in media and the power of advertising;
• Students interested in marketing, sales or business, but who do not wish to major in business or finance.

Students must select one of the following concentrations:

• Account Management,
• Art Direction,
• Brand Strategy and Research,
• Copywriting, or
• Media Planning.

Art Direction Concentration

Art directors are responsible for the visuals and ideas that drive branded communication. Students in the Art Direction concentration develop hands-on skills in creating advertising media. Students begin with classes on the Adobe Creative Cloud and visual communication (ADV 1001 and ADV 2151). In the upper-level courses (ADV 3052, ADV 3053 and ADV 4064), students learn about advertising concepting, design, and storytelling. The Portfolio class provides students the opportunity to work in teams with copywriters to develop a professional-quality portfolio. The three upper-level courses must be taken consecutively and may not be taken concurrently. Introduction to Typography (ADV 2052) and Intermediate Digital Design Tools for Advertising (ADV 2001) are recommended electives for Art Direction students.

Note: Students must apply for acceptance in the Art Direction concentration upon completion of ADV 1001 and ADV 2151. Transfer students should schedule a meeting with Professor Tracy Agostarola to discuss their course progression. Learn more about the Application process.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: CO-ADV-BA

Contact Information

Kathy Mueller, Department Chair
215-204-4262
kmueller@temple.edu

Tracy Agostarola, Sequence Head for Art Direction
tracy.agostarola@temple.edu

Lisa D. M. Smith, Office Manager
215-204-4268
lisa.smith0005@temple.edu

Advertising and Public Relations Department Office
Annenberg Hall, Room 300

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

1. University requirements:
   1. New students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
   2. All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are ADV 1196 and ADV 4197.
2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
3. Minimum of 48 credits in Advertising courses. 
4. A grade of C or higher must be attained in all required Advertising courses.
5. An overall GPA of 2.0 must be attained in the major.
6. No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to Advertising major requirements.

Advertising: Art Direction Requirements

¹

Requires special permission from instructor.

²

Sequence may not be taken concurrently.

Internships or Diamond Edge Communications

All advertising majors are required to do either a professional internship or be involved with Diamond Edge Communications (DEC), our student-run ad agency. Both offer students valuable hands-on experience in actual advertising-related professional experiences. DEC works with local Philadelphia clients, under the supervision of an advertising professor, to develop strategic plans, research, digital and traditional creative materials, media plans and presentations. The internship program is carefully managed by our Internship Directors to help students find the best possible internship opportunities. The Internship Directors, faculty members and Klein's Director of Career Services will help students with preparation of résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn pages. We will also guide students through the process of seeking and identifying quality internship opportunities.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with a Concentration in Art Direction

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year

¹

See the list of elective options under Requirements. The courses students can take to fulfill their Advertising electives will vary from semester to semester.

²

ADV 3052 requires application and acceptance into the Art Direction concentration.

³

ADV 3171, ADV 3185 and ADV 4103 require special permission from instructor.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated program is available to students in the Advertising BA:

Lew Klein College of Media and Communication

• Journalism MJ