Preparation for Transfer as an Advertising Major
The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as an advertising major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed. If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.
UC listings refer to SMU’s University Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the University Curriculum Transfer Guide for a list of courses satisfying UC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.
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B.A. in Advertising (All Specializations)
Note
*The second language requirement may be satisfied by (1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, (2) placing out of four terms of a world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or (3) being literate in a native language other than English.
Start A Movement
Welcome to the Meadows School of the Arts! We’re excited that you’re interested in transferring to SMU and majoring in Advertising. Established in 1969, the Meadows School is a nationally recognized arts education institution offering degrees in the performing, visual and communication arts.
Meadows graduates are found in top positions around the globe, including creatives and executives at ad agencies and corporations such as DDB Worldwide, Nike and Burson-Marsteller; the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts; dance and theatre company founders and Oscar and Tony award winners; news producers and reporters for major networks; singers for the Met and musicians for major metropolitan symphonies; directors of museums and galleries; artists whose work is shown in major museums and galleries; and more.
The Temerlin Advertising Institute
Established in 2001, the Temerlin Advertising Institute for Education and Research (TAI) is one of the nation’s first endowed advertising programs. TAI trains students to search for standout solutions, preparing them for work in advertising agencies, media firms, corporate marketing departments and design studios.
TAI affords many opportunities for industry experience through internships, guest lectures, industry field visits, directed study and an annual lecture series. Students may also choose to study abroad.
The TAI Advantage
Located in Dallas, Top-Five Media Market
Temerlin faculty members are prominent scholars and well-connected industry leaders. As a result, students get relevant and practical content and benefit from important networking contacts. Advertising majors get personal attention in small classes from both full-time faculty and successful industry professionals who teach on a part-time basis.
Alumni
TAI alumni have gone on to careers with firms such as:
- Saatchi & Saatchi / New York
- Mediavest / New York
- McCann Erickson / New York
- DDB / Dallas
- Publicis / Dallas
- The Richards Group / Dallas
- TM Advertising / Dallas
- NFL / Los Angeles
- Tracy Locke Partnership / Dallas
- Brinker International / Dallas
- Neiman Marcus / Dallas
- Univision / Dallas
- Translation LLC / New York
- Hal Riney & Partners / San Francisco
- Nike / Portland
Internships
Because SMU is in the center of a dynamic top five U.S. media market, TAI is close to dozens of national and global corporations. This allows the Institute to offer its students the optimal blend of theory and practical application of the advertising discipline. Students work for real clients and have the opportunity to hone their skills through internships with companies in Dallas and other major markets. Internships offer an opportunity for students to apply the principles learned in various advertising courses at a top advertising agency, design or media firm, branding company, or marketing and public relations organization.
Advertising Admission Requirements
The application for admission to the B.A. in Advertising is offered once each academic year during the spring term only. Candidates wishing to enter TAI must complete a two-step process:
Step One
Students must complete: ADV 1300 plus at least one specialization introductory course ADV 1321 , ADV 1331 , or ADV 1341 . Preference will be given to students with a combined average of 3.000 or better in all ADV coursework. Students must also be in good academic standing with the University and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000.
Transfer students must have completed equivalent courses and obtained the equivalent cumulative GPA in those courses before they can progress to step two. Students transferring from other universities who have not yet completed the equivalent introductory courses are encouraged to take them during their first semester at SMU.
Step Two
Advertising major candidates who have fulfilled or are fulfilling step one must also complete an application for the specialization area in which they are interested. The application process is offered during the spring term only. Students who are not admitted may reapply in the next application period.
Majoring in Advertising
The B.A. in Advertising allows students to specialize their knowledge in one of three areas: creative, digital media strategy, or strategic brand management.
The B.A. in Advertising (all specializations) can be completed in a minimum of four semesters (one for prerequisites, plus three to four for major courses). Each of the three specializations is a sequence of classes that are referred to as the Foundation; the Practice; the Application; and the Capstone. Students admitted to the B.A. in Advertising (any specialization) must take these courses in sequence to be able to complete the major in one and a half to two years.
Transfer students who enter SMU in a fall semester will apply for the major during the following spring semester. It will take an additional three semesters after admission to the major to complete the degree.
Advertising Specializations
Advertising, B.A. (Creative Specialization)
Prepares students for careers in art direction or copywriting
Advertising, B.A. (Digital Media Strategy Specialization)
Prepares students for careers as digital producers, digital strategists, content managers, and media specialists
Advertising, B.A. (Strategic Brand Management Specialization)
Prepares students for careers as account, brand, or project managers, planners/strategists, consumer insight experts, event and promotion specialists, as well as specialists in new business development.
Minoring in Advertising
There is one minor within TAI. The Minor in Advertising offers students an overview of the social, economic and marketing environments in which advertising functions.
Preparing for a Smooth Transition
Transfer students who take time to prepare for their transition to Meadows are some of the most successful students. Following are a few important points to remember:
- The second language requirement of the University Curriculum may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.
- SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
- Work on the University Curriculum prior to transfer is highly encouraged.
- Compare Course Descriptions found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits.
- For additional information on advertising majors, visit our department homepage.
- For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.
SMU Degree
A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 122 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:
- Courses in your major.
- Courses required for the University Curriculum (UC) .
- Elective courses. These electives may be used to add a second major or minor.
The University Curriculum (UC)
The University Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components:
- Foundations - 6 hours of Discernment and Discourse courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Foundation courses, 2 hours of Personal Responsibility and Wellness courses, proficiency in a second language and 3 hours of a Ways of Knowing course (offered only at SMU)
- Breadth and Depth - 7 Breadth and 3 Depth courses which may double count with majors and minors
- Proficiencies and Experiences - 6 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through Breadth and Depth coursework or approved, noncredit activities.
Apply Now!
Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.
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