Program: Roadmap: Advertising, Area of Specialization in Management Track, BS - San José State University

Jul 14, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

The following roadmap is a sample advising map to complete the degree program in four years. Please consult your MyPlanner and major advisor as you develop your individualized academic plan. Students must have completed 60+ units in order to enroll in GE UD courses.

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1

Fall Semester (15 units)

ADV 91 - Introduction to Advertising 3 unit(s)*
AFAM 2A - African Americans and the Development of America’s History and Government , AAS 33A - Asian Americans in U.S. History I , CCS 10A - Mexican Americans and the Development of U.S. History and Government , OR HIST 15 - Essentials of U.S. History 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 + US1)*
GE Area 1A 3 unit(s)
STAT 95 - Elementary Statistics or UNVS 15 - Statway: Statistics-Concepts & Methods 3 unit(s)*
One course from: ART 44HA , DSGN 44HA , ENGL 44HA , HUM 44HA , or PHIL 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (16 units)

ADV 97 - Art of Marketing Innovations 3 unit(s)*
AFAM 2B - African Americans and the Development of America’s History and Government , AAS 33B - Asian Americans in U.S. History II , CCS 10B - Mexican Americans and the Development of U.S. History and Government OR POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s)* (GE Area 4 + US 23)
GE Area 1B 3 unit(s)
GE Area 1C 3 unit(s)*
MCOM 70 - Visual Communication for Modern Media 3 unit(s)*
Physical Education 1 unit*

Year 2

Fall Semester (15-16 units)

Complete the Upper Division Writing - Directed Self Placement
GE Area 3A 3 unit(s)*
GE Area 5A / 5C 3-4 unit(s)*
GE Area 6 3 unit(s)*
MCOM 63 - New Media 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)*

Spring Semester (13-14 units)

GE Area 3B 3 unit(s)
GE Area 5B / 5C 3-4 unit(s)*
Physical Education 1 unit*
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)*
Upper Division Humanities & Arts Elective Course 3 unit(s)*

Year 3

Fall Semester (15 units)

ADV 93 - Design Fundamentals for Advertising 1 3 unit(s)
ADV 121 - Strategic Planning/Communications 3 unit(s)
BUS2 130 - Introduction to Marketing 3 unit(s)
MCOM 100W - Writing Workshop: Mass Communications 3 unit(s) (WID)
MCOM 104 - Introduction to Mass Communications Research 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (15 units)

Apply to Graduate
Apply for the Agency
ADV 122 - Business-to-Business Advertising 3 unit(s)
ADV 123 - Introduction to Branded Content 3 unit(s)
GE Upper Division Area 2/5 3 unit(s)*
JMC Elective (Recommend ADV 116 ) 3 unit(s)*
MCOM 170 - Strategic Social Media & Digital Marketing 3 unit(s)

Year 4

Fall Semester (15 units)

ADV 128 - Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) 3 unit(s)
Note: ADV 128 will need an Add Code
BUS5 146 - Fundamentals of Project Management 3 unit(s)
MCOM 111 - Mass Communications Internship 3 unit(s)¹
MCOM 175 - Social Media and Web Analytics 3 unit(s)
Note: MCOM 175 is offered in Fall only
GE Upper Division Area 4 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (15 units)

ADV 126 - Media Planning and Buying 3 unit(s)
ADV 127 - Practical Qualitative Research in Advertising 3 unit(s)
ADV 129 - Advertising Campaign Planning and Management 3 unit(s)¹
GE Upper Division Area 3 3 unit(s)*
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)*

Roadmap Notes

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Lower division courses should generally be taken in years 1-2, and upper division courses in years 3-4. Students should work with an academic advisor to create an individual roadmap using the MyPlanner tool.

All advertising majors must do a 240 internship after completing nine units of advertising classes. Approval is needed to sign up for MCOM 111 . This may also be done during the summer or winter sessions. MCOM 180 - Independent Study for one unit of credit can be taken any time. Students work directly with faculty in their major.

¹ MCOM 199A /MCOM 199B substitutes for MCOM 111 and ADV 129 by invitation.

A minimum of 120 units is required for this degree.