Business Administration - Advertising and Marketing

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Major: Business Administration – Advertising and Marketing
Degree awarded: Bachelor of Arts
Total credit hours: 54
Internship/Practicum opportunities: Visit the Career Development Center for internship information.

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Online Academic Catalog Details / Required Courses

About Business Administration – Advertising and Marketing

Every organization has a story to tell. The challenge is knowing how to connect that story with the right audience.

The Advertising and Marketing track within Thiel College's Business Administration program combines business strategy, marketing, public relations, advertising, and digital communication to prepare you for careers in today's fast-moving communications landscape.

Through a unique collaboration between the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and Accounting and the Department of Communication Studies, you'll gain a well-rounded understanding of both the creative and business sides of marketing. You'll learn how brands build relationships, how organizations communicate effectively, and how strategic messaging influences consumer behavior.

At Thiel, you'll do more than study marketing concepts. Through small classes, personalized faculty mentorship, hands-on projects, internships, and networking opportunities, you'll develop real-world skills that employers value. Whether your goal is to manage brands, create advertising campaigns, lead public relations efforts, or develop digital content, you'll graduate prepared to make an impact.

You'll never be just another number here. Professors know your goals, support your growth, and help connect classroom learning to meaningful professional experiences. Combined with Thiel's affordable education and strong alumni network, you'll gain the confidence and experience to launch your career.

In this program, you'll learn how to:

Create persuasive advertising and marketing campaigns
Develop strategic communication and branding initiatives
Analyze consumer behavior and market trends
Apply digital marketing, social media, and content strategies
Produce effective written, visual, and multimedia communications
Navigate ethical and legal considerations in advertising and media
Collaborate with teams and manage marketing projects
Conduct market research and evaluate campaign performance
Build professional experience through internships and networking opportunities

Whether you're interested in advertising, brand management, digital marketing, public relations, social media, or corporate communications, you'll graduate ready to help organizations grow, connect, and succeed.

Advertising and Marketing Curriculum

Thiel's Advertising and Marketing curriculum blends business fundamentals with communication and media expertise to prepare students for today's evolving marketing industry.

Coursework explores advertising strategy, integrated marketing communication, public relations, media production, consumer behavior, business management, economics, digital communication, and marketing analytics. You'll learn how successful organizations use strategic communication to build brands, engage audiences, and achieve business goals.

Students can tailor their experience through management-focused or media-focused coursework while developing a professional portfolio that showcases their skills and creativity.

Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship and benefit from networking opportunities with business leaders, communications professionals, and Thiel alumni before graduation.

Explore courses in the Advertising and Marketing program and review the latest Academic Catalog (2025-2026).

Advertising and Marketing Major Objectives

Successful marketing professionals combine creativity, business insight, communication expertise, and strategic thinking. By graduation, students will be prepared to:

Create compelling and persuasive messages across multiple media platforms
Apply advertising, marketing, and public relations principles to real-world challenges
Analyze consumer behavior and audience engagement strategies
Demonstrate ethical decision-making in media and communication environments
Communicate effectively through written, oral, visual, and digital formats
Utilize leadership, collaboration, and project management skills
Conduct market research and evaluate communication effectiveness
Adapt messaging strategies to changing media and business environments
Build professional networks and industry relationships
Develop a portfolio demonstrating marketing and communication expertise

This combination of business knowledge, communication skills, and creative strategy prepares graduates to thrive in a wide range of marketing and communications careers.

Alumni and Careers

Students in the Business Administration and Accounting Department are exceptionally successful in finding first-time jobs after graduation. Faculty members work closely with students to help them develop professional skills, build industry connections, and prepare for meaningful careers.

Advertising and Marketing graduates can pursue opportunities across corporate, agency, nonprofit, government, and media sectors.

Examples of entry-level career opportunities include:

Marketing Coordinator
Digital Marketing Specialist
Social Media Manager
Brand Marketing Specialist
Public Relations Coordinator
Advertising Account Executive
Content Marketing Strategist
Market Research Analyst
Promotions Manager
Communications Specialist

Aligned with Thiel's business administration program, you'll join a network of graduates working for Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial ventures, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond.

Thiel College's active alumni network continues to support graduates as they build successful careers and professional connections.

Student Life Involvement

College is about more than earning a degree. It's about discovering your interests, building relationships, and gaining experiences that help you stand out professionally.

Just ask the 96 percent of Thiel students involved in one or more of our 100 clubs, organizations, NCAA Division III athletic teams, and campus activities.

Advertising and Marketing majors often participate in:

The Thielensian Student Newspaper
WXTC Radio (88.1 FM)
TCTV Television Station
Society for Collegiate Journalists
Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society
Photography Club
National Society of Leadership and Success

These opportunities allow students to build portfolios, strengthen leadership skills, gain hands-on media experience, and expand professional networks.

Read the latest news on what Thiel students are up to.

Business Department Scholarship Opportunities

Thiel College offers scholarships to undergraduate business students based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and other accomplishments.

Scholarships available to Business Administration students include: