General Information
The Temerlin Advertising Institute was endowed by the Dallas advertising community through a pledge to augment scholarships, faculty salaries and public programs that enrich student learning and practical experience in advertising. Established in 2001, it is one of the nation’s only endowed advertising institutes.
The Temerlin Advertising Institute invites each student to build a foundation of strategic communication principles, to develop a deep appreciation of the power of advertising and to join in an exploration of how advertising can be channeled for the betterment of a product or service for a client as well as for society. Students will explore responsibility issues within traditional advertising courses and experiential opportunities. Within the program, students may opt to follow an industry focus or a research/thesis emphasis.
Because the Temerlin Advertising Institute is located in Dallas, it enjoys a strong relationship with a vibrant advertising industry. DFW is in the nation’s top five media markets and the headquarters for major advertising agencies, national and global corporations, large U.S. media corporations, public relations firms, and film production companies. This location affords access to professionals who are of the highest caliber and who serve as class clients, guest lecturers, executives-in-residence, adjunct faculty and internship sponsors.
Undergraduate Admission Information
For students wishing to pursue a B.A. in advertising at SMU, admission into the Temerlin Advertising Institute is a two-step process.
STEP ONE: Students must have completed or be enrolled in ADV 1300 and the introductory specialization course (ADV 1321, ADV 1331 and/or ADV 1341) for the specialization to which they are applying. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 to be admitted to the advertising major. Students transferring from other universities must have completed equivalent courses before they can progress to step two.
STEP TWO: Advertising major candidates who have fulfilled or are fulfilling step one also must complete an application for the specialization area(s) in which they are interested. The application is offered during the spring term only. Students who are not admitted during the application process may reapply during the next application period. Dates, times, and location are posted at www.smu.edu/temerlin.
Students who have a cumulative GPA below 3.000 at the time of their application may be conditionally admitted to the advertising major but must raise their cumulative GPA to 3.000 or above during their first semester as a conditionally admitted major, or they will be removed from the advertising major.
All admitted and conditionally admitted majors must receive a grade of C- or higher in the first required course of the specialization to which they are admitted (ADV 2322 - Concepting, ADV 2332 - Digital Media Strategy 1, or ADV 2342 - Strategic Brand Management 1, respectively), or they will be removed from the advertising major.
Students removed from the advertising major for either reason may choose to declare an advertising minor if eligible.
Graduate Admission Information
Applicants will be expected to have an excellent undergraduate record in advertising or a related field. Previous work experience is desirable. Applicants from other disciplines will be considered provided they can show a keen interest in pursuing a career in advertising. Applicants must demonstrate a strong undergraduate GPA and submit an application to the Temerlin Advertising Institute.
International students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency through scores on the TOEFL or other equivalent tests.
All applicants must submit acceptable references, and they may be asked to participate in a personal interview.
Scholarship awards will be determined by reviewing the overall quality of the student’s application. Submitting GRE or GMAT scores is recommended for best consideration and adds information which will enhance the quality of the student’s application.