Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/communication-studies/

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS FOR TRANSFER (AA-T)

Communication Studies majors will learn the dynamics of communication between and among individuals, groups, cultures, and organizations. Communication Studies integrates courses in interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and rhetorical communication to foster creativity, critical thinking, and communication confidence in diverse environments.  Communication Studies majors pursue a variety of careers depending on their interests. Public relations and advertising firms, healthcare organizations, government and educational institutions, entertainment companies, social service groups, and media-based firms are just some examples of organizations having a need for people with highly developed interpersonal and technical communication skills. Some of the current career titles include social media relations, diversity trainer, public information officer, public relations specialist, political consultant, press secretary, labor relations specialist, public opinion researcher, news producer, speechwriter, advertising account executive, media manager, human resources manager, mediator, and special events coordinator.  Because of the focus on interpersonal, professional, and intercultural communication skills, this major may also lead to many other careers and advanced degree pursuits such as law and counseling. While meeting the Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer in Communication Studies requirements, students can satisfy up to four different general education transfer requirements (Oral Communication, Social Science, Humanities, and Critical Thinking) as well as earn a Certificate of Completion (12 units).
This degree is for seamless transfer to CSU system. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Students apply communication concepts and theories to monitor and improve communication competence in diverse interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and organizational contexts.
• Students competently construct and present formal and informal oral presentations in a variety of settings to different audiences.
• Students employ critical thinking, problem-solving, and other communication skills as active participants in a democracy.
• Students practice ethical communication to embrace a diverse range of individuals, communities, and viewpoints.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code Number	Course Title	Units
Required Core
COMM 120	Interpersonal Communication	3.0
COMM 130	Public Speaking	3.0
List A- Select 3 (9 units)		9.0
COMM 100	Introduction to Communications Studies (3)
COMM 103	Argumentation, Persuasion, and Critical Thinking (3)
COMM 110	Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 115	Gender, Communication, and the Digital Revolution (3)
or WGS 115	Gender, Communication, and the Digital Revolution
COMM 125	Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 132	Small Group Communication (3)
COMM 140	Oral Interpretation of Literature (3)
COMM 231	Forensics Activity 1 (Competitive Speech and Debate) (1) 1
COMM 232	Forensics Activity 2 (Competitive Speech and Debate) (2) 1
COMM 233	Forensics Activity 3 (Competitive Speech and Debate) (3) 1
LIST B – Select One (3 units)		3.0
COMM 145	Storytelling (3)
COMM 200	Contemporary Communication Topics (3)
JAMS 100	Mass Communications and Society (3)
ANTH 100	Cultural Anthropology (3)
PSYC 101	General Introductory Psychology
SOC 101	Introductory Sociology Principles (3)
ENGL 102	Introduction to Literature (3)
JAMS 101	Beginning Newswriting and Reporting (3)
Total Units		18

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Up to 3 forensics units may be used toward the Associate of Arts Degree in Communication Studies for Transfer (AA-T)

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE FOR TRANSFER DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
2. Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
3. Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
4. Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.