The Advertising program teaches students how to develop and produce persuasive messages and advertising campaigns. Students build skills in writing, research, graphic design, direct marketing, media planning and campaign management. Advertising students plan and produce advertising campaigns for actual businesses, gaining real-world experience that can lead to careers at advertising agencies and corporations, as well as public sector fields. The School boasts an active Advertising Club that offers students professional networking opportunities. In spring 2006, the Advertising Club traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with representatives from The Washington Post, AOL, NPR, the NBC news bureau and PBS. The School also helps place students in internships that offer hands-on experience beyond the classroom. Student have interned at DDB Chicago, a top advertising agency, and PBS’s corporate headquarters in Arlington , Va. In addition, a sophomore advertising student interned with First Lady Laura Bush’s Projects and Policies Office in The White House. The advertising curriculum is challenging, but the results are tangible. Graduates have gone on to become successful account executives, art directors, creative directors, corporate advising directors and media planners. They work with top advertising firms, and some own their own agencies. Majors in the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism Advertising B Broadcast News B Integrated Marketing Communications M Journalism M News-Editorial B Public Relations B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Enrollment Coordinator Jan Boyles at: 304-293-3505 ext. 5414, or via e-mail at: Jan.Boyles@mail.wvu.edu. You can also visit the website at: http://journalism.wvu.edu/.

The WVU School of Journalism
The WVU Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism is a student-centered journalism school that has been graduating mass communications specialists since 1939.

While rooted in tradition, the School also offers an innovative, student-centered curriculum and real-world experiences that prepare students for careers in 21st century mass communications. Journalism students learn by doing, using state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge media technology. And our award-winning faculty work one-on-one with students to help launch their careers and dreams.

Community outreach and service learning are incorporated into our print and online journalism, broadcast news, public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communications programs. Teaching in all the program areas embraces a coaching/mentoring philosophy that results in real products—stories, broadcasts, campaigns and projects—that are published and adopted by real clients. Our students learn by doing in an intimate, hands-on environment. Community partnerships and internships help our students achieve greatness wherever they go.

The School of Journalism offers more than $75,000 in scholarships to its students each year. (Pre-Journalism majors are not eligible for these financial awards.)

Ninety-eight percent of students who graduate from the WVU Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism find jobs in their fields within a year. While they are still in school, our students get a foot in the door at top regional and national newspapers, TV stations, public relations firms and advertising agencies—thanks to our strong internship program. Students can earn money and course credit for their internship work. Students also have the opportunity to work for U-92 (the campus radio station) and for the Daily Athenaeum (the daily student newspaper). Journalism students also work part-time at local newspapers, television affiliates, private firms and nonprofit organizations.

Admission
Students interested in majoring in journalism must first apply to West Virginia University and be accepted. To be eligible for direct admission into the School of Journalism (SOJ), students must have at least a 2.5 unweighted high school GPA and either a 22 ACT English score or a 520 SAT verbal score. Students who do not meet the direct admit requirements may declare a Pre-Journalism major. All students must take the Journalism Qualifying Exam (JQE). Direct admits will gain full admission into the School of Journalism upon earning a competitive score on the JQE. Pre-Journalism majors will apply for admission into the Journalism School while enrolled in Journalism 215.

Curriculum
To gain enrollment in Journalism 215, all students must earn a grade of C or better in Journalism 101, MDS 103, and English 101 and 102 (or English 103). Students must also earn a competitive score on the JQE. Students are allowed to take the JQE up to three times.

All Journalism majors must complete 30-38 hours of courses within the School of Journalism. Students will take most of their major courses during their junior and senior years. Depending on the chosen major, students may take courses in a variety of areas including news writing, Web design, television production, or advertising copywriting.

Students must also meet the School of Journalism General Education Curriculum requirements and complete a minor to fulfill the minimum 128 hours needed for graduation from West Virginia University.

Accreditation
In 2004, the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism unanimously received full reaccreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The School is one of 107 in the nation with such a distinction. WVU is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Suggested Four-Year Course Schedule
Below is a suggested schedule of courses. Your actual schedule may differ. The School of Journalism has specific requirements within the General Education Curriculum. Please see the School’s Advising Center for a list of approved courses. Many classes have prerequisites and may be offered only once per year.

Career Opportunities
Graduates find careers in advertising agencies, corporate advertising departments, direct marketing, integrated marketing communications, retail advertising, promotion and media advertising sales. Graduates also work as advertising managers overseeing account, creative and media service departments at radio and television stations, newspapers, and magazines. Advertising graduates sometimes create and develop their own business or engage in consulting work.