Four Plus One master’s concentration

Earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years

Are you a current student or recent graduate of the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations? Are you ready to fast-track your career in advertising and public relations? The Tombras School’s Four Plus One concentration lets you earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years—giving you a competitive edge. Through advanced strategic coursework, you’ll master the skills needed to land leadership roles and soar to higher-level positions in the industry.

Four Plus One concentration catalog information

Program FAQs

Required courses

Graduate Resources

How does it work?

Applicants must be current advertising or public relations majors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, or a recent graduate of our program.

Seniors can request to take courses for graduate credit (up to 9 hours in their last year). To take courses for graduate credit, please follow the instructions on the Graduate School website. Students must still apply to the concentration through Graduate School Admissions and be accepted by both the graduate school and the ADPR graduate admissions committee.

Recent Graduates who were advertising or public relations majors and who graduated from our program in the past three years may apply. Applicants must meet UT Graduate School academic requirements and apply online to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Seniors in their last 30 hours of the undergraduate program may apply to the program to take graduate courses with approval from the school director.

Undergraduate students may take up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework in their senior year.

Students may not take the same course for both the undergraduate program and the Four Plus One master’s concentration.

You can apply through the UT Graduate School, and the College of Communication and Information’s Graduate Programs can also assist with additional information. See “We’re Here to Help” below for contact information.

Guide for ADPR Seniors Taking Graduate Credits

CCI Graduate Program FAQs

Four Plus One FAQs

Am I eligible for the Four Plus One program?

A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into the College of Communication and Information master’s program. To be eligible for the advertising and public relations concentration, students must have majored in either advertising or public relations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and have graduated within the past three academic years with at least a 3.0 GPA.

When and how should I apply for the Four Plus One program?

The Four Plus One concentrations have these deadlines: Applications are due by November 1 for spring entry, and by April 1 for summer or fall entry. Apply using the UT Graduate School’s online application portal: https://gradschool.utk.edu/future-students/oﬃce-of-graduate-admissions/applying-to-graduate-school.

Can I take classes for graduate credit before I complete my bachelor’s?

Yes! In your last 30 hours as an undergraduate student, you can take up to 9 hours of graduate credit. That means by the time you graduate, you are almost one-third of the way done with your 30 hours of graduate coursework! You need to let your academic advisor know if you plan to take a course for graduate credit. They will walk you through the process, including a mandatory request for graduate credit form. You do not need to be admitted to the program before you take a course for graduate credit.

I know I want to get a master’s degree…should I do it now or wait until after I get some work experience?

This is a great question and the answer is really personal as to what works best for you. There is certainly value in getting some work experience prior to graduate education. However, some students find that if they leave and enter the workforce, it is very hard to go back to school. There is also great value in developing your strategic and managerial level thinking while your undergraduate coursework is fresh on your mind…and in only one year!

How long will it take me to complete the Four Plus One concentration?

This varies from student to student. Degree completion requires a total of 30 hours, so it depends on if you take any graduate credits as an undergraduate. You could take 15 hours each for a fall and spring semester, butthat is not recommended if you are also balancing employment or an internship. Many students take 12 hours in the fall/spring and 6 in the summer, resulting in one year of coursework. Students can do an internship for a graduate elective credit!

Is there funding available for the Four Plus One program?

There are some scholarships available from the schools for student in the Four Plus One concentrations. Although there are no available graduate assistantships in CCI for Four Plus One students, there are many available across the university. Our Four Plus One students have completed assistantships in Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT), student housing, athletics, the library, and more. You can check the UT Graduate School website (Costs and Funding page) for opportunities!

If you have other questions, please email ccigradinfo@utk.edu, or fill out the Request for Information form.

My experience in the Advertising and Public Relations Four Plus One concentration has been truly transformative. The faculty’s unwavering support and mentorship have played an incredible role in my personal and professional development, consistently going above and beyond to help me explore new opportunities and navigate the exciting world of communications.”

abigail Leitner

Four Plus One master’s concentration student at the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations

Required courses for the Four Plus One concentration

The ADPR Four Plus One master’s concentration requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. The courses in the concentration work to enhance the strategies, tactics, and skills learned during the undergraduate programs. Students will take courses in advertising, public relations, strategic communication, and concept application.

Block 1: Advertising and Public Relations Courses (12 hours)

ADVT 510 Advertising and Society
ADVT 520 Advertising and Communication Theory
ADVT 540 Advertising Decision Making
ADVT 560 Account Planning (cannot take if already had ADVT 460)
PBRL 525 Public Opinion
PBRL 530 Issues and Crisis Management
PBRL 540 Public Relations Management
PBRL 550 Public Relations Strategies

Block 2: Strategic Communication Courses (3 hours)

* ADPR 515 Social Media Analytics or Elective
ADPR 530 Advertising and Public Relations Research
ADPR 562 Social Media Strategy and Tactics

*Cannot take if already completed ADPR 415

Block 3: Concept Application Courses (3 hours)

ADVT 470 Advertising Campaigns (only if not taken as undergrad)
PBRL 470S Public Relations Campaigns (only if not taken as undergrad)
ADPR 590 Advertising and Public Relations Project

Block 4: General Electives (12 hours)

Any class carrying graduate credit from ADPR, ADVT, PBRL, CMST, JREM, or INSC may be used. At least two courses should be outside the School. Other electives outside of the College may be taken with the permission of the advisor.