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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Effectively listen to and critically evaluate others’ messages in order to appreciate audience needs.
Students receiving this transfer degree must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements.
- A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- 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.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPCH 101 | Public Address | 3 |
| or SPCH 101H | Public Address - Honors | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| Argumentation and Debate | 3 | |
| Small Group Communication | 3 | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| Mass Media and Society | 3 | |
| Reporting and Writing News | 3 | |
| Public Relations | 3 | |
| Basic Photography | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
| Select one (1) of the following courses: 1 | ||
| Reporting and Writing News | 3 | |
| Public Relations | 3 | |
| Cultural History of American Films | 3 | |
| Visual Communications | 3 | |
| Design for Media | 3 | |
| Student Media: Beginning Staff | 3 | |
| Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 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.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| SPCH 101 or SPCH 101H |
Public Address or Public Address - Honors |
3 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| MATH 165 or MATH 165H |
Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| COUN 160 |
Strategies for College Success or Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness in Society or Health and Wellness - Honors or Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| Units | 14 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| COMM 101 | Reporting and Writing News | 3 |
| COMM 240A | Student Media: Beginning Staff | 3 |
| SPCH 100 or SPCH 100H |
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 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
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 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| COMM 100 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| SPCH 103 or SPCH 106 |
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 |
| Units | 12 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| ANTH 212 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 212L | Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab | 1 |
| COMM 150 or SPCH 150 |
Communication Theory or Intercultural Communication |
3 |
| COMM 230 |
Design for Media or Basic Photography or Photojournalism |
3 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
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.