Communication Studies 2.0, Associate in Arts for Transfer
Communication Studies is, generally speaking, the study of human communication. The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer 2.0 degree (AA-T in Communication Studies) program assists students in improving their communication skills and is designed to prepare students for a major in Communication Studies. The course of study promotes understanding, analysis, and effective application of theories related to communication in interpersonal, group, public, organizational, multicultural, and/or mediated contexts. The program prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Communication Studies or related major. Students must complete the Associate Degree for Transfer requirements to earn the AA-T degree.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Apply communication theory and principles to a variety of interpersonal, small group, and public speaking situations.\n\n
- Create and present messages appropriate to audience, purpose, and contexts.
- Accomplish personal communicative goals.
- Apply ethical communication principles and practices.
- Explain the connection between communication and culture.
Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| SPCH 1 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| SPCH 3 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| List A | ||
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Mass Media Methods | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Oral Interpretation of Literature | ||
| Introduction to Communication Theory | ||
| List B | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
Any List A course not already selected | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
or ENGL 2 | Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| TOTAL MAJOR UNITS | 18 | |
| Additional Requirements | 42 | |
| Complete CSU General Education or IGETC pattern and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 transferable units. | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.
The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.
Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AE | College Composition or College Composition: Enhanced | 3 |
| MATH 16 | Elementary Statistics or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences | 4 |
| SPCH 1 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| IGETC Area 3A | 3 | |
| Elective (LIBR 50 Recommended) | 1 | |
| Elective (COUN 10 Recommended) | 1 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 2 | Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| SPCH 3 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| IGETC Area 3B (LING 15 Recommended) | 3 | |
| IGETC Area 4 (POLS 1 Recommended) | 3 | |
| IGETC Area 5A and 5C | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Mass Media Methods or Small Group Communication or Intercultural Communication or Oral Interpretation of Literature or Introduction to Communication Theory | ||
| IGETC Area 3B (US-1 Course Recommended) | 3 | |
| IGETC Area 5B | 3 | |
| IGETC Area 7 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 5 | Mass Media Methods or Small Group Communication or Intercultural Communication or Oral Interpretation of Literature or Introduction to Communication Theory | 3 |
| IGETC Area 4 (PSYC 1 or SOCI 1 Recommended) | 3 | |
| IGETC Area 6 (UC requirement) or Electives (CSU/UC Transferable) | 5 | |
| Electives (CSIS 1 Recommended) | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
MPC transfer programs are designed to enable students to complete lower-division requirements in preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution.
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to California State University (CSU) system for any community college student who earns an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), although not to a particular campus or major. Upon transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T), students will be required to complete no more than 60 upper-division units to earn a bachelor’s degree in a same or similar major (unless designated as a “high-unit” major).
The following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements must be completed to earn the AA-T or AS-T degree:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units;
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework (while a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA);
- Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units as detailed in the Major Requirements;
- Completion of all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis);
- Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth) pattern; OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.
All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss transfer pathways and specific university admission requirements. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.