Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Advertising
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
About : The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Advertising focuses on developing creativity and skills in advertising through a mix of hands-on projects and theoretical learning. Students engage with various advertising mediums and explore branding, digital marketing, and consumer psychology. The program prepares graduates for the dynamic creative industries, ensuring they have a strong portfolio upon completion.
Career Outcomes : Graduates may pursue roles in advertising agencies, marketing departments, or freelance work. Potential career paths include advertising executive, creative director, and copywriter. The skills gained can also translate well to positions in brand management and digital media strategy.
Award-winning art directors, copywriters, and creative strategists will show you how to create ideas that connect with people. Develop the thinking skills and tenacity it takes to create a competitive portfolio award-winning agencies look for as you earn your advertising degree.
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
|---|---|
| Major | 42 |
| Liberal Arts | 45 |
| Elective | 9 |
| Core | 36 |
| Total | 132 |
Degree requirements
BFA Advertising Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Western Art
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Surveys
- 1 Historical Awareness
- 1 Quantitative Literacy
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Design Skills
- Effectively use visual media, including freehand drawing, to convey ideas and concepts throughout the creative process.
- Apply basic design principles to creative work.
Communication Skills
- Create engaging narratives that demonstrate an understanding of the elements of storytelling: idea, structure, conflict, character, and imagery.
- Clearly and confidently present ideas in both formal and informal group settings.
- Coherently explain complex ideas in short-form, simplified writing.
Problem-Solving
- Apply strategic elements focused on the target customer, the product/ service, and the market.
- Gather, assess, and apply relevant information, including historical research, as part of the conceptual and design process.
Conceptual Thinking
- Communicate relevant objectives through the use of appropriate aesthetic choices.
- Think conceptually and execute projects beyond traditional advertising media.
- Generate original ideas.
- Develop ideas that can be articulated within project parameters.
Professional Readiness
- Present an original portfolio to acquire a job within the industry.
- Articulate career goals and plan to achieve them.
- Submit work according to professional presentation standards.
- Collaborate with other members of a creative team.
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Semester 1
- ADV 109: Advertising Methods & Trends
- ADV 236: Digital Photography
- GR 102: Design Technology: Digital Publishing Tools
- GR 150: Visual Communication A
Semester 2
- ADV 241: Ideation Techniques
- ADV 258: Digital Video 1 (formerly WNM 358 Digital Video 1)
- FND 113: Sketching for Communication
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
- LA 133: Short-Form Writing
- WNM 105: Design Technology: Visual Design Tools
- WNM 210: Visual Design 1
Semester 3
- ADV 207: Creative Strategy
- ADV 215: Short Copy for Campaigns
- ADV 244: Art Direction for Advertising
- LA 291: Designing Careers
- WNM 249: Web Design 1
Semester 4
- ADV 341: Midpoint Portfolio
- ADV 370: Brand and Branding
- LA 120: Art History Through the 15th Century
- LA 121: Art History Through the 19th Century
- LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument
- WNM 205: Motion Graphics 1
Semester 5
- ADV 348: Entertainment Advertising
- ADV 367: Art of Presentation
- LA 218: Blogging: Content Creation & Promotion
- LA 242: History of Graphic Design
- LA 368: Experiencing Culture: Anthropology for Today's Artist
Semester 6
- ADV 343: Campaign
- ADV 348: Entertainment Advertising
- ADV 467: Television Commercial Production
- ADV 498:
- LA 124: Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion
- LA 171: Western Civilization
- LA 315: Social Media Strategies
Semester 7
- ADV 346: Advanced Campaign
- ADV 498: Collaborative Project: Branded Content
- LA 222: 20th Century Art
Semester 8
- ADV 446: Integrated Advertising 3
- ADV 470: Final Portfolio
- ADV 500: Internship in Advertising
- LA 316: Social Media Data Analytics
- LA 317: Social Media Management
- WNM 305: Motion Graphics 2