Communication Studies, Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts

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Communication Studies, an option of the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree program, prepares students to transfer into the junior year at four-year colleges in speech, communication, media production and journalism. It also prepares students for entry-level jobs in some communication fields such as video production, journalism, and media communication. This program includes required courses in speech, communication theory and mass media, as well as electives in specialized fields such as interpersonal and intercultural communications, journalism, public relations, film studies, and video production. At the same time, this program offers students a solid liberal arts education.

Communication students are encouraged to pursue an experiential component in their studies by participating in a co-op, internship, or service learning project in a communication field.

Graduates are able to:

organize and deliver effective oral presentations
write clearly, coherently and convincingly
recognize and apply basic models of verbal and nonverbal communication
recognize where and how communication breaks down
recognize and analyze the impact of mass media on society
recognize and analyze the communicative power of images, whether in print or on film, video, and television

Students enrolled in associate of arts degree programs who intend to transfer to four-year colleges or universities are strongly advised to discuss the General Education Foundation of Courses with a counselor. Selection of these courses will facilitate full transfer of general education credits completed toward the degree.

Curriculum – A.A. Degree

First Semester

ENGL 111 - English I 3 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ¹
Mathematics 3-4 Credits ^2,3
Foreign Language 3 Credits ⁴
COMM 102 - Introduction to Communication Theory 3 Credits

Second Semester

ENGL 112 - English II 3 Credits
Foreign Language 3 Credits ⁴
Technological Competency 3-4 Credits ³
COMM 101 - Speech 3 Credits
COMM 120 - Introduction to Mass Communication 3 Credits

Third Semester

Science (lab) 4 Credits ³
Social Science 3 Credits ¹
History 3 Credits ¹

COMM 201 - Intercultural Communication 3 Credits
Communication Specialization Elective 3 Credits ⁵

Fourth Semester

Social Science 3 Credits ¹
History 3 Credits ¹
Mathematics or Science 0-4 Credits ^3,6
Communication Specialization Elective 3 Credits ⁵
Free Elective 3 Credits ⁷

Total Credits 60 - 61

¹ Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list.

² Mathematics by official Placement Test. Students may not take courses below placement level. Exceptions by permission of department chair.

³ Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list. For the Math, Science and Technological Competency General Education requirements, students must take a minimum of 12 credits. This must include at least one lab science course, one math course and satisfaction of the technological competency requirement by either passing the technological competency test (no credit) or taking a technological competency general education course. If a student passes the technological competency test, another course must be selected from Math, Science or Technological Competency General Education, so that the student has earned at least 12 credits in those categories.

⁴ A two semester sequence is required. Placement by examination is required for students who wish to continue studying a language previously studied. Students may not take courses below their placement level. For more information, see Foreign Language Placement Testing & Degree Requirements in the College Catalog.

⁵ Specialization Electives in Communication Studies: Still Photography I (ARTS 212 ), Art of the Movies: Film Appreciation & Analysis (FILM 101 ), Survey of American Film (FILM 122 ), Introduction to Video Production (ARTS 267 ), Language, Mind & Society (ENGL 205 ), Intro to Print, Broadcast, and Electronic News Reporting (COMM 254 ), Feature Writing for Print and Broadcast Media (COMM 255 ), Interpersonal Communication (COMM 110 ), Presentation Skills for Business and the Professions (COMM 121 ), Intro to Public Relations (COMM 210 ), Communication Cooperative Education (COMM 292 ), Events Planning/Meeting Management (COMM 130 ), Lights, Optics & Sound (ARTS 261 ), Interactive Multimedia (CISY 114 ), Advanced Video Editing (ARTS 278 ), Writing for the Media (COMM 251 ), History of Photography (ARTS 223 ), News Production for the Web (ARTS 284 , BUSI 284 , COMM 284 ), Introduction to Non-Verbal Communication (COMM 120 ), Event Production (COMM 135 ).

⁶ If the student has already completed 12 credits in the Math, Science and Technological Competency categories, the student does not need to take a course here.

⁷ Any college level course. A Visual and Performing Arts Studio course is recommended.