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Advertising and Public Relations B.A., B.S., and Communications, M.S.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, Master of Science (B.A., B.S., M.S.)

Combined

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 144 Credits

Grand Valley State University combined degree programs offer current qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree, meeting their unique personal, academic, and career goals. Pursuing a combined degree can reduce the cost and total time required to complete both.

Overview

Grand Valley offers a combined degree program in Advertising and Public Relations and Communications, allowing students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science in Communications (M.S.) within an accelerated timeframe. This program is designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who wish to complete both degrees efficiently, reducing the overall cost and time required. The program is hosted by the School of Communications, which provides a comprehensive education that blends theoretical knowledge with practical skills.

The curriculum for this combined degree covers a wide range of communication topics. Students will study subjects such as the analysis of written and visual communication, designing clear and informative messages, building persuasive appeals, and critically analyzing the persuasive appeals of others. The program includes advanced courses that students can begin taking during their senior year, ensuring they are well-prepared for various professional roles in advertising and public relations.

The program's structure allows for accelerated career progression, meeting the growing demand for master's-trained professionals. Faculty members specialize in teaching relevant and in-demand communication concepts and skills. Additionally, students benefit from valuable internship and career opportunities through partnerships with business, community, and cultural organizations, ensuring they gain practical experience and build a strong professional network.

Admission Information

Students with a GPA of 3.3 or greater may apply to the combined degree program in their junior year. Visit the online catalog for more information about combined degree programs in communication.

School of Communications

290 Lake Superior Hall
(616) 331-3668

Program Director

Anthony Spencer, Ph.D.
(616) 331-3512

Career Opportunities

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,906.76 10%
$ 96,381.34 25%
$128,078.06 50%
$168,891.08 75%
$217,573.29 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 75,676.08 10%
$ 91,009.38 25%
$114,354.20 50%
$159,180.87 75%
$196,247.54 90%

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 38,176.07 10%
$ 48,684.03 25%
$ 67,116.51 50%
$ 95,733.13 75%
$129,831.86 90%

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,768.16 10%
$ 45,978.79 25%
$ 61,159.97 50%
$ 83,095.64 75%
$112,557.80 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 55,098.93 10%
$ 72,761.90 25%
$ 93,882.53 50%
$133,548.24 75%
$190,030.16 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 77,737.98 10%
$106,258.46 25%
$154,503.61 50%
$204,649.55 75%
$311,375.25 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

Top skills
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 78,109.66 10%
$101,494.16 25%
$137,854.69 50%
$197,867.02 75%
$302,211.23 90%

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 40,565.31 10%
$ 54,890.59 25%
$ 75,838.46 50%
$105,934.76 75%
$150,976.23 90%

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 40,151.90 10%
$ 51,688.02 25%
$ 69,937.88 50%
$ 97,511.65 75%
$135,876.81 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 57,867.41 10%
$ 79,386.67 25%
$119,702.71 50%
$177,332.56 75%
$291,063.17 90%
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Page last modified May 19, 2025