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About Us

The truth – the facts of the story to the “most powerful element in advertising” – is what students learn to discover, report and share in the Department of Advertising, Multimedia Journalism and Public Relations. This tradition started with our founding in 1968 to train news reporters, later to include public relations and advertising professionals. Our program continues to evolve an academic and professional curriculum through programs in multimedia journalism, public relations and advertising. High-quality learning pairs with active student life in our department – clubs, internships, professional experiences and networking opportunities – to create a vibrant community.

 

Check out our “one-sheet wonder” info sheet to get a helpful overview of the department.

Nationally Accredited 

The Department of Advertising, Multimedia Journalism and Public Relations is accredited through the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. This national accreditation helps ensure the quality of our program and faculty, and also supports smaller-sized classes for writing, visual and applied skills development. Students see ACEJMC values and competencies in every course syllabus. The accreditation-required retention and graduation data is found here.

 

 

Internship, Real Projects and Competitions

The department encourages students to have multiple professional experiences, including:

  • Internships – About 90% of students have one or more internships before graduation, with the help of our internship coordinator, Barb Benish.
  • Real Projects – Each year, students work on class projects with a dozen local organizations, providing real-world experiences and resume-building work samples.
  • Competitions – Students in all of our programs may participate in national competitions including the Hearst Journalism Awards Program, Bateman, National Organ Donor Awareness Campaign and National Student Advertising Competition.

Internship Coordinator Barb Benish (left) regularly works with AMP alumni and students on multimedia event coverage during EAA’s AirVenture each summer in Oshkosh. (Back row, left to right) Nikki Brahm, Kelly Nelson and Ti Windisch. (Bottom row, left to right) Sienna Kossman, Katie Holliday-Greenley and Megan Esau.

Student Community and Resources

Students may join clubs to advance their skills and experience, and meet other students with similar interests. The department’s clubs include: The Advance-Titan Newspaper, Advertising Club, Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society, Photo Club, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Society of Professional Journalists. The department offers 10 scholarships for student expenses and travel.

Commitment to Freedom of Expression and Diversity

The department is strongly committed to advancement of literacy, freedom of expression, journalism education and diversity and inclusivity. The faculty meet each year to review diversity in the classroom as aligned with the department’s Diversity and Inclusivity Policy, “The department is committed to diversity and inclusivity in its student population and faculty and to the creation of a learning environment that exposes students to a broad spectrum of voices and views… race, class, gender, generation and geography are key forces shaping our society and need to be recognized more explicitly in the classroom.”

“The classes puts students in real life experiences with real clients to show what it’s like in the work force. Classes can be challenging but worth it in the end when you see your final product!”

Mimi Tang '20