ADT in Communication Studies

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer degree (AA-T) focuses on the areas of public communication, small group communication, oral interpretation, and interpersonal communication. It is designed to increase skills in verbal communication and public speaking, analysis and listening, interpersonal relationships, teamwork and leadership, motivation and initiative, and dealing with diversity.

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer degree provides lower division preparation for students planning to transfer into Speech Communication and Communication Studies programs. Students should take courses in both Speech Communication and Media Arts. Students who complete this degree will be guaranteed admission with junior status to the California State University system, and will be given priority admission to our local CSU campus.

A.A.-Transfer Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Communication Studies A.A.-Transfer Degree will:

  1. Interpret and critically assess a variety of media messages, including those that reflect multicultural perspectives in order to make connections, critically compare and contrast ideas, and produce written, oral, and visual messages.
  2. Research, organize, compose, and deliver public presentations on socially significant and intellectually challenging topics in order to demonstrate college-level public speaking skills and critical thinking.
  3. Effectively listen to and critically evaluate others’ messages in order to appreciate audience needs.

Students receiving this transfer degree must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
    1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements.
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" (or "P") or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. 

Required courses:
SPCH 101Public Address3
or SPCH 101H Public Address - Honors
Select two (2) of the following courses:
Interpersonal Communication3
Argumentation and Debate3
Small Group Communication3
Select two (2) of the following courses:
Mass Media and Society3
Reporting and Writing News3
Public Relations3
Basic Photography3
Intercultural Communication3
Select one (1) of the following courses: 1
Reporting and Writing News3
Public Relations3
Cultural History of American Films3
Visual Communications3
Design for Media3
Newspaper Production: Beginning Staff3
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking3
Total Units18
1

 A course may be used only once to fulfill degree requirements.

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
SPCH 101
Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
3
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
MATH 165
Introductory Statistics
or Introductory Statistics - Honors
4
COUN 160
Strategies for College Success
or Fitness for Life
or Health and Wellness
or Health and Wellness - Honors
or Introduction to Nutrition
3
 Units14
Winter Term 1
ART 108
History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Rock and Roll
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
 Units3
Spring Term 1
COMM 101 Reporting and Writing News 3
COMM 240A Student Media: Beginning Staff 3
SPCH 100
Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
3
ENGL 103
Composition and Critical Thinking
or Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors
3
 Units12
Summer Term 1
POLI 103
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
ART 108
History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or Introduction to Popular Culture
or Ethnic Voices in Film
3
 Units6
Fall Term 2
COMM 100 Mass Media and Society 3
SPCH 103
Argumentation and Debate
or Small Group Communication
3
COMM 104
Public Relations
or Visual Communications
or Multimedia Reporting
3
ASTR 115
Planetary Astronomy
or Planetary Astronomy - Honors
or Life In The Universe
or Physical Oceanography
or Introduction to Forest Ecology
or Physical Geography
or Introduction to Weather and Climate
3
 Units12
Winter Term 2
HIST 107
History of the United States before 1877
or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors
or History of the United States since 1877
or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors
or History of the African-Americans to 1876
or History of the African-Americans since 1876
or History of Women in the United States
3
 Units3
Spring Term 2
ANTH 212 Introduction to Physical Anthropology 3
ANTH 212L Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab 1
COMM 150
Communication Theory
or Intercultural Communication
3
COMM 230
Design for Media
or Basic Photography
or Photojournalism
3
ETHN 101
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
3
 Units13
 Total Units63

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

 

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.