Communication Studies 2.0, A.A.-T

An Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer will fulfill the requirements for students to transfer to a CSU institution as a Communication Studies major. The Communication Studies courses in A.A.-T in Communication Studies will provide students with the practical skill of effective communication, both publicly, inter-personally, and professionally. Additionally, the student will gain specific knowledge in a variety of other communication subtexts: intercultural, media, argument, organizational, persuasion, gender, public relations, and/or performance.

AA.COMM2.OPTBAAT or AA.COMM2.OPTCAAT

Design Your Future!

Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.    

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

CSU: General Education Option B

This program provides students with focused program options. A focused program map contains courses that help students specialize in a distinct area and connects to careers.  Talk to a counselor about preparing for transfer to specific schools.

Human Communication Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
COMM-106 Small Group Communication 3
COMM-120 Survey of Communication Studies 3
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
HIST-111 U.S. History to 1877 3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
COMM-113 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
COMM-103 Interpersonal Communication 3
SPAN-102
Elementary Spanish II
or Elementary French II
or American Sign Language II
4
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
COMM-299 Special Projects: Communication 1
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
COMM-108 Intercultural Communication 3
Select one of the following:
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-110 Communications Media Survey 3
COMM-160 Debate and Forensics Activities 1
COMM-516 Gender and Communication (formerly COMM-116) 3
 Units13
 Total Units59

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements.

Performance Communication Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
COMM-113 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
COMM-201 Advanced Public Speaking 3
ASL-100 American Sign Language I 4
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
COMM-103 Interpersonal Communication 3
COMM-106 Small Group Communication 3
ASL-101 American Sign Language II 4
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
COMM-160 Debate and Forensics Activities 1
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
COMM-516
Gender and Communication (formerly COMM-116)
or Intercultural Communication
3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-120 Survey of Communication Studies 3
COMM-110 Communications Media Survey 3
COMM-160 Debate and Forensics Activities 1
 Units16
 Total Units62

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements.

Professional Communication Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
COMM-113 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
 Units13
Fall Semester 2
COMM-117 Organizational Communication 3
COMM-106 Small Group Communication 3
SPAN-102
Elementary Spanish II
or Elementary French II
or American Sign Language II
4
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
COMM-103 Interpersonal Communication 3
 Units17
Spring Semester 2
COMM-516
Gender and Communication (formerly COMM-116)
or Intercultural Communication
3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-119 Public Relations 3
COMM-120 Survey of Communication Studies 3
 Units15
 Total Units60

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements. 

CSUSM: General Education Option B

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
COMM-106 Small Group Communication 3
COMM-120 Survey of Communication Studies 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
COMM-113 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
COMM-103 Interpersonal Communication 3
SPAN-102
Elementary Spanish II
or Elementary French II
or American Sign Language II
4
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
Select one of the following: 1
Work Experience Education: Communication Studies
Debate and Forensics Activities
Special Projects: Communication
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
COMM-516
Gender and Communication (formerly COMM-116)
or Intercultural Communication
3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
SPAN-201 Intermediate Spanish I 4
COMM-110 Communications Media Survey 3
 Units16
 Total Units62

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements. CSUSM Grad Requirements: Language

UC: General Education Option C

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-103 Critical Thinking and Writing 3
COMM-115 Persuasion 3
COMM-120 Survey of Communication Studies 3
COMM-160 Debate and Forensics Activities 1
THA-137 Introduction to World Cinema 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
ART-100 Art Appreciation 3
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
COMM-110 Communications Media Survey 3
COMM-103 Interpersonal Communication 3
 Units16
Spring Semester 2
COMM-108 Intercultural Communication 3
COMM-113 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
ENVS-100 Humans and Scientific Inquiry 3
ANTH-145 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (formerly Introduction to Language and Linguistics) 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
 Units16
 Total Units63

NOTE: For students who did not meet the LOTE requirement in high school, they may fulfill Area 6 by demonstrating proficiency by completing ASL-100 American Sign Language I, FREN-101 Elementary French I or SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish I with a grade C or better. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for meeting this requirement. 

Course Title Credits
Required Core Courses
COMM-100Public Speaking3
or COMM-100H Honors Public Speaking
COMM-103Interpersonal Communication3
or COMM-103H Honors Interpersonal Communication
List A: Select three
Select three to four of the following:9-10
Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument)
Honors Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument)
Small Group Communication
Intercultural Communication
Honors Intercultural Communication
Communications Media Survey
Oral Interpretation of Literature
Persuasion
Survey of Communication Studies
Debate and Forensics Activities
Advanced Public Speaking
List B: Select one
Any List A course not used above or one of the following:3
Organizational Communication
Public Relations
Gender and Communication (formerly COMM-116)
Total Units18-19
Course Title Credits
Units for Major18-19
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 37-39
Possible double counting: 3-15 units
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 CSU transferable units)

Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

The overall requirements for this Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC).
  • Completion of California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements (CSUGE)  or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.

Discover information about careers that interest you!

  1. Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests. 
  2. Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements. 
  3. Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.

Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.