Degree Requirements

The Speech Communication Certificate of Proficiency and the associate degree in Speech Communication require completion of courses listed below.

Associate in Arts Degree: Communication Studies

Core Units
COMS 103 Oral Communication 3
Select fifteen units from:
COMS 101 Voice and Articulation 3
COMS 104 Advanced Public Communication 3
COMS 135 Interpersonal Communication 3
COMS 160 Argumentation 3
COMS 170 Small Group Communication 3
COMS 180 Intercultural Communication 3
 
Total: 18

Additional general education and graduation requirements for the associate degree are listed in the catalog. The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 units.

Recommended electives: Anthropology 103 and Communication Studies 111.

Associate in Arts Degree: Communication Studies for Transfer

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies or a related major in the California State University (CSU) system. It is accepted by some but not all CSU campuses. Students who complete this degree and transfer to a participating CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. It may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus that does not accept the degree. Students who plan to complete this degree should consult a counselor for additional information about participating CSU campuses as well as university admission, degree and transfer requirements.
NOTE: Students intending to transfer to a CSU should consult a counselor and visit www.assist.org for guidance on appropriate transfer coursework.

Courses Required for the major Units
COMS 103 Oral Communication* 3
Select two of the following courses:
COMS 160 Argumentation*
COMS 135 Interpersonal Communication*
COMS 170 Small Group Communication
6
Select two of the following courses (not selected above) to meet the lower division preparation for the major to your transfer university:
JOUR 202 Introduction to Mass Communication*
JOUR 210A Newspaper Production (3 unit option only)
MATH 119 Elementary Statistics* or
PSYC 258 Behavioral Science Statistics*
PSYC 101 General Psychology*
COMS 101 Voice and Articulation
COMS 104 Advanced Public Communication
COMS 111 Oral Interpretation
COMS 135 Interpersonal Communication*
COMS 160 Argumentation*
COMS 170 Small Group Communication *
COMS 180 Intercultural Communication*
6-8
If needed to total 18 units, select one of the following courses (not selected above) to meet the lower division preparation for the major to your transfer university:
ANTH 102 Introduction to Physical Anthropology*
ANTH 103 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology*
ENGL 101 Reading and Composition* or
ENGL 105 Composition and Literature* or
ENGL 205 Critical Thinking*
ENGL 210 American Literature I*
ENGL 211 American Literature II*
ENGL 215 English Literature I: 800-1799*
ENGL 216 English Literature II: 1800-Present*
FREN 201 Third Course in French*
GEOL 100 Physical Geology*
GEOL 101 Physical Geology Laboratory*
GERM 201 Third Course in German*
HIST 105 Introduction to Western Civilization I*
HIST 106 Introduction to Western Civilization II*
JOUR 200 Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting
JOUR 201 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting
JOUR 202 Introduction to Mass Communication *
JOUR 210A Newspaper Production (3 unit option only)
MATH 119 Elementary Statistics* or
PSYC 258 Behavioral Science Statistics*
PHIL 205 Contemporary Philosophy*
PSYC 101 General Psychology*
SOCO 101 Principles of Sociology*
SPAN 201 Third Course in Spanish*
COMS 101 Voice and Articulation
COMS 104 Advanced Public Communication
COMS 111 Oral Interpretation
COMS 135 Interpersonal Communication*
COMS 160 Argumentation*
COMS 170 Small Group Communication *
COMS 180 Intercultural Communication*
3
Total: 18-21

*Course also fulfills general education requirements for the CSU GE or IGETC pattern.
General Education: In addition to the courses listed above, students must complete one of the following general education options:

  • The IGETC pattern is accepted by all CSU campuses and most UC campuses and majors. It is also accepted by some private/ independent or out of state universities.
  • The CSU GE pattern is accepted by all CSU campuses and some private/independent or out of state universities. It is not accepted by the UC system.

It is strongly recommended that students consult with a counselor to determine which general education option is most appropriate for their individual educational goals.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 CSU-transferable units required for the degree.