Academic Catalog

Communication Studies 2.0 (AA-T)

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

Code Number Course Title Units
Required Core
COMM 120Interpersonal Communication3.0
COMM C1000Introduction to Public Speaking3.0
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
ANTH 100
Cultural Anthropology (3)
COMM 145
Storytelling (3)
COMM 200
Contemporary Communication Topics (3)
ENGL 102
Introduction to Literature (3)
JAMS 100
Mass Communications and Society (3)
JAMS 101
Beginning Newswriting and Reporting (3)
SOC 101
Introductory Sociology Principles (3)
PSYC C1000
Introduction to Psychology (3)
Total Units18
1

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 CSU-transferable semester units. 
  2. Achievement of a minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. (Some majors may require a higher GPA. Students should consult with a counselor for more information.)
  3. Completion of the major with a grade of "C" or better in each course or a "P" if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis and the "P" is equal to a "C" or better. 
  4. Completion of the California General Education Transfer